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…

Quote by Stephen Breyer

Topics: Stephen Breyer Quotes

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that...

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that...

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there...

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there...

Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it...

Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it...

There are loads of countries that have nice written constitutions like ours. But there aren't...

There are loads of countries that have nice written constitutions like ours. But there aren't...

But once the person is selected, at that point that person is independent.

But once the person is selected, at that point that person is independent.

You will read in the newspaper more often about federal courts, but the law that...

You will read in the newspaper more often about federal courts, but the law that...

We can speak about the institution, but ultimately the bar is the group that both...

We can speak about the institution, but ultimately the bar is the group that both...

I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order...

I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order...

And in that confirmation process, I sat for 17 hours in front of a senate...

And in that confirmation process, I sat for 17 hours in front of a senate...

And the problem is once you get into this campaign business and begin to have...

And the problem is once you get into this campaign business and begin to have...

Ultimately, the question of campaign contributions will be decided by the public.

Ultimately, the question of campaign contributions will be decided by the public.

It's important to every American that the law protect his or her basic liberty.

It's important to every American that the law protect his or her basic liberty.

I thought that that was an effort to inject a popular element, a democratic element...

I thought that that was an effort to inject a popular element, a democratic element...

Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose...

People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose...

I think it shows that if you have one group of people doing it, you'll...

I think it shows that if you have one group of people doing it, you'll...

To threaten the institution is to threaten fair administration of justice and protection of liberty.

To threaten the institution is to threaten fair administration of justice and protection of liberty.

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

It doesn't help to fight crime to put people in prison who are innocent.

It doesn't help to fight crime to put people in prison who are innocent.

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.