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.

Chief Justice Weaver's State of the Judiciary Message 9/28/00
Continued

I ask you, please, let me be the last Chief Justice who needs to make this plea. Progress in the advancement of justice is the result of many individual efforts. People from all walks of life have contributed ideas and hard work to help those of us in the court system reach excellence in our work. We recognize that we, like everyone else, cannot always meet the standard of perfection. So we continue to welcome all suggestions, advice, diverse opinion, and criticism which is factual and constructive. Anything less is harmful to the institution of the judiciary.

Our branch of government, like yours, is blessed with many dedicated, caring individuals. I would like to acknowledge them, for they are the ones most responsible for recent progress, and it is upon their shoulders that the primary burden of further improvements rests.

First, let me recognize the six men and women who are my colleagues on the Michigan Supreme Court. As you have heard, together we have exceeded national standards for timely disposition of cases, while at the same time advancing an ambitious administrative agenda for serving the people of Michigan better. Please stand: Justices Michael Cavanagh, Marilyn Kelly, Clifford Taylor, Maura Corrigan, Robert Young, and Stephen Markman.

Next, on behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank Chief Judge Bandstra and the judges of the Court of Appeals who have also substantially reduced their case backlog. I acknowledge and commend the trial court chief judges for the difficult and uncompensated extra administrative duties they perform.

All three branches of state government, working together, have been aided by the steadfast contributions to the improvement of justice of some key individuals and organizations. Let me recognize your local partners in funding the trial court system, the counties and municipalities, represented by Michigan Association of Counties President Ricardo Solomon and Michigan Municipal League President Ingrid Sheldon.

County Clerks play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the circuit court, and I would like to recognize the County Clerk Association and its president, Peggy Haines.

Also, let me acknowledge those who work in the legal system: the State Bar of Michigan and its president, Tom Ryan, and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and its new president, Jeffrey Sauter.

Finally, within the judicial family, I acknowledge the many contributions of our three judges associations and their presidents, Judges Barry Howard, William Ervin, and James Collins. In the end, it is simply about serving the people better. My colleague, Justice Cavanagh, reminded us in his State of the Judiciary address that when you come right down to it, justice is about solving problems, one person at a time -- judges listening to each individual, then offering "a real answer to a real problem."

(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