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

She indicated that she was from New Orleans and that she knew how to prepare red beans and rice. I said, that’s a remarkable and wonderful circumstance. I have to say, however, that in the several years that I have known her, I haven’t had an opportunity to eat her red beans and rice, but I said at the beginning of the campaign that after she was elected, I would be her first guest, and she has promised to do that.

I am so proud to know her. Shortly after she came to the bench, I became acquainted with her several abilities as a judge. On those occasions when we sat with each other, it was a real joy. In most instances, she agreed with me. I said: This is a woman who’s going far.
So she began as a wonderful, wonderful colleague. Over the months and years that we have known each other, she has also become a very, very good friend.

I shall never forget the day she visited me in the hospital and I wasn’t feeling too good when she came. By the time she left, I knew I was going to make it, because she exhibited that kind of support and confidence that has been her mark throughout her tenure as a Michigan Court of Appeals judge.

She is bringing a fresh, dedicated, incisive mind to the Michigan Supreme Court. We have fine justices on the Michigan Supreme Court, and she will not take away from that tradition, but will add to it.

We, the people of the state of Michigan are blessed, as I feel blessed, by knowing her and recognizing that she will present a front on the Michigan Supreme Court that I am sure will be recorded in the history of this state.

Betty, I am so proud of you and I am so happy for you. Thank you.

CHIEF JUSTICE BRICKLEY: Thank you, Mike. Now, I would like to call on the Honorable Gladys Barsamian.

JUDGE BARSAMIAN: Honorable justices and judges of our court of justice, honored guests and family and friends of Betty WEAVER, I am absolutely delighted to be participating in this investiture of my friend and colleague, Betty WEAVER, as Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

Betty and I met over twenty years ago when we were both fortunate to be chosen to serve our respective communities as probate judges, Betty in Leelanau County and I in Wayne County. We met in judge’s school.

What I soon discovered was that we had two things in common: Our desire to be the best probate judges we could be, and our profound concern for the families and children of the state of Michigan. And I believe those two things we had in common caused us to develop a close personal and professional relationship that I cherish.

We both became active in the Michigan Probate Judges Association to improve our skills and to work with our colleagues for the improvement of the juvenile justice system. That was another thing that we had in common. We believed that our responsibilities extended beyond sitting on the bench.

(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