Role Model Supreme: Justice Stephen Breyer reports for jury duty

[Richardo]

:toast:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/01/04/supreme_court_justice_shows_up_for_jury_duty_in_marlborough_court/

WASHINGTON -- No one took any notice of the tall, slim man who appeared Tuesday for jury duty. Had he worn his black robe, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer no doubt would have drawn more attention.

Even Marlborough, Mass., District Court Judge Thomas Sullivan Jr. didn't recognize Breyer until he read the justice's name on a document listing potential jurors for cases he was hearing.

"When I looked at the slip I said, 'Oh, my God,'" Sullivan said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

<snip>

Breyer, 66, said he felt it was important to do his civic duty and report to the courthouse, located about 30 miles west of Boston. He divides his time between Washington and Massachusetts.

"It proves that everyone can participate, and in a democracy that is important," Breyer said.

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:toast: Now THERE's a citizen!

[trotsky]

1. I'm impressed.

Way to go, Breyer. Wow.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

2. I actually find that very admirable

cool

[ThorsHammer]

15. Same here (nt)

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. I bet he was the first one knocked off the role, though

I can't imagine any lawyer wanting a Supreme Court Justice in the jury!

[Richardo]

4. Defense attorney excused him...

According to Sullivan, the defense attorney said, "The last thing I need is two judges on the case." :)

[terrya]

8. I would think they probably didn't want another "Oprah on the jury" event.

Granted, Justice Breyer isn't nearly as famous as Oprah, but he's still a well known public official. I suspect that they didn't want the fact that he might have been on the jury to overshadow the case itself.

[Divernan]

5. Opposite of Ricky Santorum, who ducked jury duty 3X & then reported with

an attitude that the whole thing was beneath his dignity and was a waste of his time.

[Zomby Woof]

6. A Clinton appointee of course

:-)

[Justitia]

7. Any prevailing opinions on Breyer?

I know about the egregious supremes (Scalia, Thomas), but what seems to be the overall feel of Breyer's experience on the court?

Thanks in advance.

[tigereye]

10. he votes pretty much with "the good guys"

I guess you could see him as on the liberal block with Ginsberg, Souter (generally), and White (?), as opposed to the moderates (O'Connor and Kennedy) and the right ( Scalia, Thomas and Rehnquist). Nina Totenburg on NPR and Jan Greenburg on Lehrer usually give interesting assesmment of court activities and personalities.

[Justitia]

11. Thanks! I wondered if he was in the "mod squad" or on the side

of real fairness and truth :)

Thanks again.

[tigereye]

12. well, sometimes " truth" is not as clear cut as we would

like it to be. There is some value to the "Mod Squad" ( I like that as a description!), as legal issues are highly complex and the moderates have saved some protections for women and other parties that might not have remained otherwise. Ironically, from what I have seen and read, Sandra Day O'COnnor is keeping the right wing at bay on choice, since she tends to support very narrow legal interpretations, and is also good at getting consensus on the court. I think the role of legal consensus building is more powerful on the court than it appears to most of us who tend to view the court in terms of simple "right, left, moderate" comparisons. ( ps, I am not a lawyer, but I find the life, dynamics and reasoning of the court fascinating, to the extent that I am able to understand it.) :hi:

[Justitia]

13. I agree the Mod Squad is very necessary

I see them in the center of a playground teeter totter (or see-saw) who act as a balancing function for the ends. O'Connor has been the best example of this and I know her contributions have absolutely been the reason in some cases that a coherent ruling has been passed.
Funny, over time, I've come to regard her & Kennedy as almost administers of the court, and I mean that favorably.

Of course, I will always cheer loudest for those who stand up against (and temper) the obnoxious (and sadly, most ignorant and blinded) bullies on the far right side of the court.

Thank you so much for your replies. I need to hone my research on each individual justice soon, this is promising to be a pivotal time for the SC, and all of us.

[tigereye]

14. sure I really like talking about this topic

I find it fascinating.

[MarianJack]

9. He Had Plenty of Free Time...

...since he wasn't invited to go duck hunting with **'s puppeteer!