Bottom Quote by Stephen Breyer
“You can have many different selection systems, but the bottom line has to be a system that, once the judge takes office that judge will feel that he or she is to decide the case without reference to the popular thing or the popular will of the moment”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Judicial Independence Remarks, 2008
A judge must remain impartial, free from popular pressures, to uphold the law fairly.
In simple terms: Judges must stay independent of public opinion.
Key Takeaway
Guard judicial impartiality.
Themes
law
ethics
independence
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative debates
- public opinion polls
Key Concepts
judicial philosophy
rule of law
Questions to Reflect On
- How can judges resist popular bias?
- What safeguards protect judicial independence?
A Different Perspective
Political pressure can still influence perceptions of impartiality.
