Posted on 04/24/2005 10:02:02 PM PDT by IleeneWright
BAR PRESIDENT DENOUNCES ATTACKS ON JUDICIARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2005 CONTACT: Francine Walker, The Florida Bar TELEPHONE: 850/561-5666
STATEMENT OF KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR
TALLAHASSEE -- The tragic and high visibility case of Terri Schiavo has resulted in an unprecedented and unjustified attack upon our judiciary. Regardless of anyone’s personal or political feelings about the Schiavo case, this is a critical time for Americans to recognize the vital role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law and the importance of the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
It is in times like these that we should recognize that our judges, on a daily basis and not just in high profile cases, have the duty and responsibility to protect the rights and liberties afforded to all of us by law.
Judges have no control over which cases come before them and they will inevitably be involved in deciding difficult and unpopular cases. When presiding over a case, judges make rulings based solely on the Constitution and other laws, and not their own feelings or personal beliefs.
While we may disagree with decisions and actions of public officials including judges, it is entirely unacceptable and unfair for our judges to be criticized and even vilified when no judicial basis for such criticism exists. Unfortunately that is what is happening as emotions heighten in the Terri Schiavo case.
Florida newspapers are now reporting that Circuit Judge George Greer has not only been accused of murder and terrorism by congressional leaders in Washington, but has received death threats and was pressured to leave his church.
Societal dilemmas should never be confused with constitutional responsibilities. Florida’s legal profession knows from polling that Floridians want nothing less than a fair and impartial judiciary.
Judge Greer is an ideal representative of the type of judge citizens want to hear their case. His rulings are based on laws, not emotions and not politics.
Indeed, his rulings have been repeatedly reviewed and scrutinized by many different courts on many different occasions. We must continue to have confidence in our legal system and expect our judges to act with the knowledge and integrity required of their position.
Judges are limited by duty to responding to such unfair criticism. But Florida’s editorial boards, community leaders and the 75,000-member Florida Bar are not. The Florida Bar joins many of the state’s major newspapers and democratic advocates in denouncing the unwarranted attacks on the judges and courts which serve everyone in this great country.
About The Florida Bar: The Florida Bar is the statewide professional and regulatory organization for lawyers. With more than 76,000 members, the Bar serves as an intermediary for attorneys, the courts and the public. Headquartered in Tallahassee, the Bar is a unified state bar by rule of the Supreme Court of Florida.
Membership in the Florida Bar is a necessary component of Supreme Court regulation for all lawyers licensed to practice law in Florida. The foundation for the organization is built on a philosophy of equity and ethics.
Through its programs and services, the Bar supports this philosophy with four pillars that function as the mission of The Florida Bar: providing public service, protecting rights, promoting professionalism and pursuing justice.
It is very obvious that Terri lost her status as not only a disabled person but also she was not considered a person or human being. She was classified as a vegetable by Greer so she did not have the same rights. That is most likely how these judges think. So cruel and callous.
All ATTORNEY BAR ASSOCIATIONS are the SAME throughout the Country! It's the top chicken watching the CHICKEN coop! All these "Association", even within the medical community, are the SAME! They look out for their own and for their own interest! PERIOD!
POLICE, often become lawyers. Lawyers, often become POLITICIANS and/or JUDGES! It's the *GOOD 'OL BOY" strategy unfortunately!
What did DeLay do to cave?
A WARNING ....
Why else would this ONE person, speak on behalf of ALL 76,000 members?
I agree. and sooooo obvious.
What did DeLay do to cave?
Hey SUN!
I think when he back pedaled on his TERRI-ACTIVIST JUDGES statement! ?????? Only thing that I can think of?
What did DeLay do to cave?
"Hey SUN!
I think when he back pedaled on his TERRI-ACTIVIST JUDGES statement! ?????? Only thing that I can think of?"
The only thing I can think of is when he apologized for the WAY he said, but not for WHAT he said about activist judges.
I guess I was mistaken. I checked google too. FReegards....
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