PS

Potter Stewart

33quotes

Potter Stewart: A Life of Justice and Insight


=============================================

Full Name and Common Aliases


--------------------------------

John Potter Stewart was commonly known as Potter Stewart, an American lawyer and judge who served on the United States Supreme Court from 1958 to 1981.

Birth and Death Dates


-------------------------

Potter Stewart was born on January 23, 1915, in Jackson, Ohio. He passed away on December 7, 1985, at the age of 70.

Nationality and Profession(s)


---------------------------------

Stewart held dual nationality as an American and British citizen (by descent). His profession spanned multiple areas: law, academia, and government service. As a lawyer, judge, and Supreme Court justice, he dedicated his life to upholding the rule of law and interpreting the Constitution.

Early Life and Background


-----------------------------

Growing up in Jackson, Ohio, Stewart was educated at Yale University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree. He then attended Harvard Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1937. Before entering politics, Stewart worked as an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Major Accomplishments


---------------------------

During his tenure on the Supreme Court, Justice Stewart made significant contributions to various areas of law:

Civil Rights: He played a pivotal role in landmark cases such as _Brown v. Board of Education_ (1954) and _Loving v. Virginia_ (1967), which challenged racial segregation and state anti-miscegenation laws.
 First Amendment Rights: Stewart was instrumental in shaping the Court's interpretation of freedom of speech, press, and assembly, as seen in cases like _New York Times Co. v. Sullivan_ (1964) and _Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District_ (1969).
Separation of Powers: As a strong advocate for judicial restraint, Stewart promoted the importance of each branch's respective role in governance.

Notable Works or Actions


------------------------------

Some notable works include:

Concurring Opinion in _Roe v. Wade_ (1973): Stewart dissented from the majority opinion, arguing that states had a legitimate interest in protecting fetal life.
Dissenting Opinion in _Griswold v. Connecticut_ (1965): While not a majority, his dissenting opinion contributed to the eventual recognition of reproductive rights.

Impact and Legacy


---------------------------

Justice Stewart's impact on American law is multifaceted:

Civil Rights: His commitment to civil rights led to significant strides in racial equality.
First Amendment Protections: Stewart helped shape the Court's interpretation of individual liberties, safeguarding essential freedoms.
 Judicial Restraint: His emphasis on judicial restraint promoted a more nuanced understanding of the judiciary's role.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


---------------------------------------------

Potter Stewart is widely remembered for his insightful and often witty opinions. One of his most famous quotes, "I know it when I see it," was delivered during oral arguments in _Jacobellis v. Ohio_ (1964). This phrase has become synonymous with the concept of obscenity, symbolizing the complexities of interpreting abstract concepts.

Stewart's legacy extends beyond his quotable remarks; he played a crucial role in shaping American jurisprudence, particularly in areas like civil rights and individual liberties. His commitment to judicial restraint continues to influence contemporary debates on the judiciary's role in governance.

Quotes by Potter Stewart

We dedicated ourselves to a powerful idea – organic law rather than naked power. There seems to be universal acceptance of that idea in the nation.
"
We dedicated ourselves to a powerful idea – organic law rather than naked power. There seems to be universal acceptance of that idea in the nation.
PS
A person’s mere propinquity to others independently suspected of criminal activity does not give rise to probable cause to search that person.
"
A person’s mere propinquity to others independently suspected of criminal activity does not give rise to probable cause to search that person.
PS
The right to defy an unconstitutional statute is basic in our scheme. Even when an ordinance requires a permit to make a speech, to deliver a sermon, to picket, to parade, or to assemble, it need not be honored when it’s invalid on its face.
"
The right to defy an unconstitutional statute is basic in our scheme. Even when an ordinance requires a permit to make a speech, to deliver a sermon, to picket, to parade, or to assemble, it need not be honored when it’s invalid on its face.
PS
The right to enjoy property without unlawful deprivation, no less that the right to speak out or the right to travel is, in truth, a “personal” right.
"
The right to enjoy property without unlawful deprivation, no less that the right to speak out or the right to travel is, in truth, a “personal” right.
PS
Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.
"
Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.
PS
Swift justice demands more than just swiftness.
"
Swift justice demands more than just swiftness.
PS
#justice
I shall not attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description (of pornography), and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that.
"
I shall not attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description (of pornography), and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that.
PS
Fairness is what justice really is.
"
Fairness is what justice really is.
PS
#justice
We are concerned here only with the imposition of capital punishment for the crime of murder, and when a life has been taken deliberately by the offender, we cannot say that the punishment is invariably disproportionate to the crime. It is an extreme sanction suitable to the most extreme of crimes.
"
We are concerned here only with the imposition of capital punishment for the crime of murder, and when a life has been taken deliberately by the offender, we cannot say that the punishment is invariably disproportionate to the crime. It is an extreme sanction suitable to the most extreme of crimes.
PS
#taken
These death sentences are cruel and unusual in the same way that being struck by lightning is cruel and unusual.
"
These death sentences are cruel and unusual in the same way that being struck by lightning is cruel and unusual.
PS
#way
Showing 1 to 10 of 33 results