Judicial Integrity Quotes

It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever.

Take all the robes of all the good judges that have ever lived on the face of the earth, and they would not be large enough to cover the iniquity of one corrupt judge.

Samuel Chase is tending to prostitute the high judicial character with which he was invested, to the low purpose of an electioneering partisan

This principle that judges are not politicians lies at the very heart of a judicial job - of the judicial job description.

It is better and more satisfactory to acquit a thousand guilty persons than to put a single innocent one to death.

Judge Kavanaugh never wavered from his vow not to buckle under political or public pressure, which is a characteristic we need in a Supreme Court justice.

Judge Kavanaugh has an exemplary record of service to the judiciary and the rule of law.

The judges must be many, for, if few, they will always follow the behests of the few.

We want a Supreme Court which will do justice under the Constitution - not over it. In our courts we want a government of laws and not of men.

Judges ... rule on the basis of law, not public opinion, and they should be totally indifferent to pressures of the times.

Mercy detached from justice grows unmerciful.

My concern was whether I could do the job of a justice well enough to convince the nation that my appointment was the right move.

Judges certainly have political connections and strong political views, but that doesn't mean they can't rise above politics when they hear cases. We expect them to, and the law presumes they do.

It's important not to get into the business of characterizing judges based on one decision they make

As, for the safety of society, we commit honest maniacs to Bedlam, so judges should be withdrawn from their bench, whose erroneous biases are leading us to dissolution. It may indeed injure them in fame or in fortune; but it saves the republic, which is the first and supreme law.

Each justice enters the Supreme Court possessing a record of opinion by which he or she is measured, and that without threat of election or outside influence, they will apply the Constitution as they always have; thus, it's ridiculous to assert the opposite.

I have ever had the single aim of justice in view. No judge who is influenced by any other consideration is fit for the bench. 'Do equal and exact justice,' is my motto, and I have often said to the grand jury, 'Permit no innocent man to be punished, but let no guilty man escape.'

Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps.

Neither side is guiltless if its adversary is appointed judge.

I was driven years ago to the conclusion that political considerations had not hurt the character of appointments here [the supreme court].

All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary.

How long will it be before the cry goes up: "Let's kill all the judges"?

I do not think that we should select judges based on a particular philosophy as opposed to temperament, commitment to judicial neutrality and commitment to other more constant values as to which there is general consensus.

Justice is the well water of the city of Novgorod, black and sweet.

He must be one that respects the Cause, and not the persons in all his Administrations…. If his Affections Oversway his judgment at any time, they will be a crooked Bias, that will turn him out of the way, and that shall be justice in one man's case, which will not be so in another. He must be one whom neither Flattery nor Bribery may be able to remove out of his way. Finally, he must be one who prefers the publick Benefit above all private and separate Interests whatsoever