Constitution Quote by Antonin Scalia
“The Constitution does not trust judges to make determinations of criminal guilt.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Confirmation Hearing, US Supreme Court, 1991
The Constitution intentionally limits judicial power in criminal cases, reserving guilt determinations for juries and legislators.
In simple terms: Judges shouldn't decide guilt; juries do.
Key Takeaway
Rely on juries for criminal guilt.
Themes
judicial restraint
constitutional law
criminal justice
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- legislative drafting
- jury selection
- public policy debate
Key Concepts
separation of powers
due process
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure juries are truly impartial?
- What safeguards protect against judicial overreach?
A Different Perspective
Judges may still influence outcomes through sentencing and interpretation.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
