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.

State Supreme Court Justice Visits Branch
Coldwater Daily Reporter 7/20/02

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth "Betty" Weaver made the rounds of the Branch County Courthouse Friday drumming up support for her re-election bid to the court for a second eight-year term.

The race is non-partisan, but she is expected to receive nomination from the Republican Party for the post. Other possible candidates won't be named until the party convention after the August primary election.

Weaver has won seven judicial elections, starting with the office of probate and juvenile judge in Leelanau County in 1974. In 1986 and 1992, she was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Her fellow justices named her to serve as Chief Justice from 1999 to 2001.

Justice Weaver has been recognized nationally for her work in juvenile justice. She noted that the state has 250 courts with very diverse populations to serve from Wayne County to the Upper Peninsula.

By code of ethics, she cannot comment on issues which possibly will come before the court. She feels the campaign is good "because I feel it is my responsibility to get out and meet the people. It's very helpful and interesting."

The justice said she felt very strongly about making sure the public is treated "fairly and justly" by courts which operate without delay and prejudics.

She also said she had been schooled in "judicial restraint" to just interpret laws "not make them."

The New Orleans native was a top ten student at Tulane Law School before moving to Michigan, where she practiced and taught school. She has served 27 years as a judge.

She is the only Supreme Court justice with experience as a juvenile and probate court judge.

"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