Iowa Chief Justice message to Iowans

[IADEMO2004]

Video and text of Iowa State of the Judiciary 2011 from Iowa Public Television "Must see TV"

http://www.iptv.org/iowapress/story.cfm/story/1900

cut:



Now, let me turn to another misunderstanding related to the function of the court. Two important principles governing the role of courts are the subject of this misunderstanding. The first is the idea that judges, like politicians, should make decisions according to public opinion or consistent with the will of the majority. In our government, courts are legal institutions, not political institutions. When a person comes before a judge, that person expects the judge to be neutral and to render a ruling based on proven facts of the case and the applicable legal principles, not based on public opinion. Public opinion shifts, the will of the people followed by courts is the will expressed in our law as constrained by the written principles in the Constitution. (Applause)



If this were any other way -- if this were any other way why a Constitution? When asked, judges must apply these principles according to law equally to all. This principles is captured in our oath of office. It is also written into our code of ethics, a code of ethics that is modeled after national standards, that all judges make decisions without being swayed by public clamber or fear of criticism. If it were otherwise, the rule of law would surely be compromised as would our Constitution. Unlike our political institutions, courts serve the law, the serve the law, not the interests of constituents, not the demands of special interest groups and not the electorate's reaction to a particular court decision. (Applause)



By serving that law, courts protect the civil, political, economic and social rights of all citizens. Chief Justice William Rehnquist called the independence that allows judges to serve the law the crown jewel of our system of justice. I hope we can go forward with that same understanding.


End cut


I wish the Vander Platts crowd had a copy of this in their pockets.

[progressoid]

1. It's so simple and yet they don't get it.

Perhaps their anger and prejudice overwhelms their common sense.

[costahawk1987]

2. Outstanding!

Thanks for sharing it.