About Justice Weaver

Throughout Justice Elizabeth "Betty" Weaver's over 32 years of experience as a trial and appellate judge (Probate/Juvenile, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court), including 2 years as Chief Justice, she has maintained a proven record based on these major practices:
Exercising Judicial Restraint
Applying Common Sense

A fundamental tenet of her stand for jusitice is to hold wrong-doers accountable and responsible for their actions, while providing opportunities for them to discover and develop their own self-worth and to become law-abiding, productive citizens.

In exercising judicial restraint (interpreting, not making, the law -- judicial self-discipline), Justice Weaver has followed the law as constitutionally passed by the legislature and consistent with the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. She has used the responsibility of interpretation, not as a sword to superimpose her own personal views (or those of special interest groups) on the law, but as a shield to protect the constitutional rights of the people and the constitutional acts of the legislative and executive branches.

Click here to read Michigan Court of Appeals Judge, Donald S. Owens’s Remarks as Presenter at the Induction of Justice Weaver into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame on October 25, 2005.

Click here to read Justice Weaver’s Remarks upon her Induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.

Press Release - 6/10/2005

Press Release - 1/13/2005

In November 2002, Justice Weaver won re-election for a second 8-year term on the Michigan Supreme Court.
This site provides information about her experience, credentials, principles, and major initiatives for the State of Michigan.

Check this site often for up-to-date press releases and other information about important work going on in the Supreme Court of Michigan.

On the Privilege of Having Served as Chief Justice
Continued

I have been blessed to work with staff members who are caring, competent, and valuable to the institution of the judiciary. As I said in my September State of the Judiciary address, "Progress in the advancement of justice is the result of many individual efforts." I trust that my colleagues recognize the contributions of Court staff, both here at the Supreme Court and in the State Court Administrator's Office, and that they will not unjustly discipline or unfairly terminate these loyal employees.

I also salute the many dedicated trial court employees who ensure that justice is done daily in over 250 courts in this state. My tenure as chief has increased my admiration for trial court judges who with few resources and many obstacles resolve the wide range of complex human problems, thereby improving the quality of life in their communities.

2001 marks my 27th year as a Michigan judge. I have been elected six times -- as a trial judge, appellate judge, and Supreme Court Justice, all the way from rural Leelanau County to the Capitol in Lansing. I plan to continue to pursue the project that will most improve our "one court of justice" -- the critical effort to reform Michigan's method of selecting Supreme Court justices. Many know that I have already offered a proposal for exploration which I call the modified federal plan. It is designed to move the selection of justices from a battle ground funded by special interests to an arena of representative democracy. Senator Ken Sikkema, as well as other legislators and public officials, have expressed interest in this plan. Many judges and citizens have sent letters of support.

 

 

"What we in the judiciary most need is patience, meekness, compassion, and courage to 'Do Right and Fear Not.'"
Chief Justice Weaver
State of the Judiciary

"She is bringing a fresh, dedicated, incisive mind to the Michigan Supreme Court."
Judge Myron Wahls
Court of Appeals

"I know Betty Weaver. She threw me in jail....But I would vote for her, because she...straightened me out, and the sentence was just."
Former convicted juvenile offender

"Your judicial experience...was outstanding. Your leadership abilities...have been impressive. There is sound reasoning for my full confidence in you as a justice."
Mary S. Coleman
Chief Justice 1978-82

Judge Weaver has been recognized in many ways for her public service, including selection as one of five outstanding young women in Michigan by the Michigan Jaycees. It is a pleasure for myself to recognize Judge Weaver as a capable and devoted public servant.
G. Mennen Williams
Chief Justice 1982-86