Amendment Quote by Sandra Day O'Connor
“(W)e do not count heads before enforcing the First Amendment.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Supreme Court remarks, 1995
Legal decisions should not assume outcomes before constitutional rights are protected.
In simple terms: Don’t assume outcomes before protecting rights.
Respect due process first.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy drafting
- rights advocacy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can judges balance urgency with constitutional safeguards?
- What safeguards prevent premature judgments?
May overlook practical concerns in urgent cases.