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.

INVESTITURE CEREMONY
Continued

Ever since I was a young lawyer, I remember that various Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, Justices BRENNAN, WILLIAMS, COLEMAN, RILEY, and CAVANAGH, spoke of the need for the Michigan Supreme Court to become a collegial court. Betty WEAVER will dedicate herself to the principle that when the Michigan Supreme Court works together, it best serves the public good.

Justice WEAVER, I thank you for the opportunity of moving for the administration of this oath. It is, as someone wrote, a covenant with the People of Michigan and with God.
Chief Justice BRICKLEY, I now move that you administer the oath of office to Justice WEAVER.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: Thank you very much. Justice RILEY, and her husband as well, were to participate in the program, but a family emergency today made it impossible for them to be here. I am going to do something I didn’t realize I was going to do, but I am delighted to be able to do it, administer this oath.

Judge WEAVER, raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State.

JUDGE WEAVER: I, ELIZABETH WEAVER, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Michigan.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: And that I will faithfully discharge the duties.

JUDGE WEAVER: And that I will faithfully discharge the duties.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: Of the office of Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

JUDGE WEAVER: Of the office of Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: According to the best of my ability.

JUDGE WEAVER: According to the best of my ability.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: So help me God.

JUDGE WEAVER: So help me God.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: Justice WEAVER, welcome. I now call on the Honorable MYRON WAHLS of the Court of Appeals, if he would come forward, please, for a few remarks.

JUDGE WAHLS: Thank you, Justice BRICKLEY, and to all my colleagues of the bench. I am delighted to be here this afternoon. I should say at the outset, that I knew that I was going to like Betty WEAVER when I first met her.

(continued)

"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