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About this quote

What does it mean?
Courts should not act as a higher legislative body that judges whether laws are wise.
In plain terms
Judges should not rewrite laws or decide if they are good just because they disagree.
What can you take from it?
Understand the limited role of courts in reviewing laws.

Where it applies

  • legal arguments
  • constitutional law
  • civic education

Putting it to work

  • study judicial role
  • respect legal process
  • engage in legislation

Questions to consider

  • Where is the line between review and overreach?
  • What is the court's job?

Another view

Sometimes courts must act when laws clearly violate rights.

More from William O. Douglas

  1. We deal with a right of privacy older than the Bill of Rights-older than our political parties, older than our school system.

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  2. We who have the final word can speak softly or angrily. We can seek to challenge and annoy, as we need not stay docile and quiet.

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  3. The way to combat noxious ideas is with other ideas. The way to combat falsehoods is with truth.

    Permalink to quote #42

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