--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Judges can't make law; judges shouldn't…" description: "\"Judges can't make law; judges shouldn't be policy makers.\" — Ketanji Brown Jackson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/ketanji-brown-jackson-6300_judges_judges-can-t-make-law-judges-shouldn-t-b_1314614.jpg" --- # Judges can't make law; judges shouldn't be policy makers. ![“Judges can't make law; judges shouldn't be policy makers.” quote by Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/ketanji-brown-jackson-6300_judges_judges-can-t-make-law-judges-shouldn-t-b_1314614.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/ketanji-brown-jackson-6300_judges_judges-can-t-make-law-judges-shouldn-t-b_1314614.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/ketanji-brown-jackson-6300_judges_judges-can-t-make-law-judges-shouldn-t-b_1314614.jpg) > “Judges can't make law; judges shouldn't be policy makers.” [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) ## 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 interpret law, not create it or policy. **In simple terms:** Judges interpret, not make law. Key Takeaway Respect judicial limits. Themes judicial independence separation of powers rule of law Mood thoughtful serious Type legal political When to use this quote - court decisions - legislative drafting - public policy debates Key Concepts constitutional law judicial philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance judicial restraint with social justice? - When should courts intervene in policy? A Different Perspective Judges may need to address policy gaps in emergencies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Judges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judges/) [Judges Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judges-make-1736379/) [Judges Shouldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judges-shouldn-4361574/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law Judges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-judges-3172949/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Make Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-law-433293/) [Makers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makers/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) ## Related quotes > [Jurisdictions across the U.S. are snapping up algorithms as tools to help judges make bail and bond decisions. They're being sold as race- and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/jurisdictions-across-the-u-s-are-snapping-up-algorithms-as-tools-to/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [“The Judges cannot make new law by new decisions; they do not assume a power of that kind: they only endeavour to declare what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-hannan/the-judges-cannot-make-new-law-by-new-decisions-they-do-not-assume-a/) [Daniel Hannan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-hannan/) > [Judges should decide legal disputes. Judges should not make law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wapner/judges-should-decide-legal-disputes-judges-should-not-make-law/) [Joseph Wapner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wapner/) > [Judges make tough decisions on child abuse, divorce, property disputes, drunk driving, domestic violence and other issues that should be free from politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/judges-make-tough-decisions-on-child-abuse-divorce-property-disputes/) [Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/) > [I'm a common law judge. I believe in deciding every case on its facts, not on a legal philosophy. And I believe in deciding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/i-m-a-common-law-judge-i-believe-in-deciding-every-case-on-its-facts/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [“Judges ought to remember that their office is to interpret law, and not to make law, or give law.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/judges-ought-to-remember-that-their-office-is-to-interpret-law-and/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [The Constitution does not trust judges to make determinations of criminal guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-constitution-does-not-trust-judges-to-make-determinations-of/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [The TV show 'How It's Made' brings the intricate details of assembly lines to numerous North American living rooms. But if the series were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-fantano/the-tv-show-how-it-s-made-brings-the-intricate-details-of-assembly/) [Anthony Fantano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-fantano/) > [Judges are required by our democratic system not to overstep their positions to become policy makers or super-legislators.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-grassley/judges-are-required-by-our-democratic-system-not-to-overstep-their/) [Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-grassley/) > [The underlying premise of the Brown decision - i.e. that 'separate but equal is inherently unequal' - is beyond dispute and judges can express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/the-underlying-premise-of-the-brown-decision-i-e-that-separate-but/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [As judges, we are public servants. And it is up to the people to determine what the structure and form and function of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/as-judges-we-are-public-servants-and-it-is-up-to-the-people-to/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [Judges are human beings. We have a duty that we focus on and that we take seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/judges-are-human-beings-we-have-a-duty-that-we-focus-on-and-that-we/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [A binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/a-binding-code-of-ethics-is-pretty-standard-for-judges/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I've sentenced over 100 people, and supervised release, which is the kind of post-incarceration condition that judges ordinarily impose, is something that is done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-ve-sentenced-over-100-people-and-supervised-release-which-is-the/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [Law is downstream from culture. By the time you make a law about something, you're reacting, not acting. I'd rather shape the culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/law-is-downstream-from-culture-by-the-time-you-make-a-law-about/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) ## More by Ketanji Brown Jackson > [You never know what cases are going to become significant and the Supreme Court is part of that story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/you-never-know-what-cases-are-going-to-become-significant-and-the/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [My mother had been adamant that I learn how to swim properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/my-mother-had-been-adamant-that-i-learn-how-to-swim-properly/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [As someone who has had family members on patrol and in the line of fire, I care deeply about public safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/as-someone-who-has-had-family-members-on-patrol-and-in-the-line-of/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I believe that the Constitution is an enduring document.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-believe-that-the-constitution-is-an-enduring-document/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [Presidents are not kings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/presidents-are-not-kings/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [My very earliest memories are of watching my father study - he had his stack of law books on the kitchen table while I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/my-very-earliest-memories-are-of-watching-my-father-study-he-had-his/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [That's what you do as a federal public defender. You are standing up for the constitutional value of representation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/that-s-what-you-do-as-a-federal-public-defender-you-are-standing-up/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I'm a mom and a real person and a wife and doing the best that I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-m-a-mom-and-a-real-person-and-a-wife-and-doing-the-best-that-i-can/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I evaluate the facts, and I interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me without fear or favor, consistent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-evaluate-the-facts-and-i-interpret-and-apply-the-law-to-the-facts/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [Federal public defenders don't get to pick their clients. They have to represent whoever comes in. And it's a service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/federal-public-defenders-don-t-get-to-pick-their-clients-they-have-to/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [If we're going to continue to move forward as a nation, we can't allow concern about discomfort to displace knowledge, truth, or history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/if-we-re-going-to-continue-to-move-forward-as-a-nation-we-can-t-allow/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I know that my role as a judge is a limited one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-know-that-my-role-as-a-judge-is-a-limited-one/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I know my judicial role is further constrained by careful adherence to precedent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-know-my-judicial-role-is-further-constrained-by-careful-adherence/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I'm a human being and I have an opinion on a lot of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/i-m-a-human-being-and-i-have-an-opinion-on-a-lot-of-things/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [Over time I learned to zip shut any bags I might be carrying before I walked into a shop, and to always keep my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/over-time-i-learned-to-zip-shut-any-bags-i-might-be-carrying-before-i/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) [Explore all 99 Ketanji Brown Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. 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Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' 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