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

MR. RANDALL TAYLOR: I would like to say how fortunate I am to be here today. How many people live their entire lives and never get an opportunity that I am presented with today—the chance to show my deepest respect for someone who has touched the lives of both my sister Julie and myself the way that Justice WEAVER has. Not a single day passes that I do not strive to live up to the standards that the Justice has set for me: standards of integrity, honesty and excellence that she herself always exhibited so effortlessly in her own life.

There was once a boy about ten years of age who, although he was fairly bright, had proved himself to be quite a discipline problem, particularly in the classroom. His mother’s hands were already quite full, as she was a single parent trying to raise two children. Fortunately for everyone involved, the mother was good friends with the young woman who lived in the neighborhood, who recognized the need, and, more importantly, was willing to give some needed help.

Over the school’s summer recess, she set up a study program whereby the youngster was forced to write and rewrite essays until they attained the level of excellence the young woman demanded. She even went so far as to make sure that after dinner the boy washed the dishes up to her standards.

The boy couldn’t wait for school to start in September. But when it did, the teachers were astounded as to the incredible change that had taken place. Although this young woman was an attorney by vocation, she showed then a penchant for molding the lives of young people.

As that summer of 1970 began, she was known as Ms. Weaver. By the time the summer rolled around, she would forever be known as Aunt Betty.
The impact that Justice WEAVER has had on the lives of my sister and me is absolutely incredible. I now live in New Jersey, and my sister Julie is living in Idaho and is raising a family. Each of us has two young sons, each of whom you met tonight, and a loving spouse. All of us are here today, which is no simple, i.e., stress-free, feat. Let me assure you that regardless of where we call home, nothing would have kept us from being here today. After all, opportunities like this are few and far between.

MS. KAREN WEAVER: Many of you have worked on Judge WEAVER’s campaign for Supreme Court justice. Let’s reminisce that she opened all her speeches with what Henry VIII said with each of his wives: I won’t keep you long.

Actions precede from thoughts and have consequences. Good actions proceed from good thoughts, producing good consequences. As voters, you have chosen to serve as Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, one who has demonstrated in her life a willing obedience to moral laws intrinsic to everyone’s well-being.

Your wisdom and natural attraction to all that is good and worthy brought you to active support of an individual of sterling character and impeccable credentials, with a demonstrated record of success in prior endeavors.

(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