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In the legislative branch, you make the laws... and our…

“In the legislative branch, you make the laws... and our role as judges is to interpret the law, not to inject our own policy preferences. So our task is to give an honest construction to what laws are passed by the Legislature.” quote by Thomas Hardiman
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“In the legislative branch, you make the laws... and our role as judges is to interpret the law, not to inject our own policy preferences. So our task is to give an honest construction to what laws are passed by the Legislature.”

Thomas Hardiman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Judges should apply laws as written, not reshape them with personal policy goals.

In simple terms: Judges interpret, not create, law.

Key Takeaway

Respect legislative intent.

Themes

judiciary law interpretation separation of powers

Mood

serious professional

Type

legal analytical

When to use this quote

  • court decisions
  • legislative drafting
  • policy analysis

Key Concepts

constitutional law judicial restraint

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure personal bias doesn’t affect legal interpretation?
  • When should judges consider legislative purpose?
A Different Perspective

Judges may face ambiguous statutes requiring interpretation.

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