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.

5. Because I was then the Chief Justice and spent most of my time in Lansing on Court business, in response to later federal investigator requests to talk to me, I had my certified public accountant, a tax expert who is also an attorney, contact the federal investigator to find out what it was all about and why they wanted to talk to me. After my accountant talked to the investigator and reported back to me, I was subpoenaed. Canon 2, §C of the Code of Judicial Conduct specifies that a judge is not permitted to appear as a witness in a court proceeding unless subpoenaed. I met and cooperated with the federal investigators at my accountant’s office, promptly produced all the information asked for, and supplied additional copies of checks to the builder that I had found and that the investigators did not have.

6. Prior to learning of the investigation, I had absolutely no knowledge of Mr. Zolman’s anti-tax beliefs or of his failure to file and pay income taxes. I had no reason to think that he would do such a thing.

7. I urged Mr. Zolman to cooperate with the investigators.

8. After 2000, for about 2 years, I heard nothing more about the matter from federal investigators or Mr. Zolman, until Spring 2002, when, to my surprise, I read in the Traverse City Record Eagle that Mr. Zolman had been arrested. I was deeply disappointed and displeased to learn that Mr. Zolman had apparently refused to comply with federal tax laws.

9. Only thereafter did the federal authorities contact me. At that time, I learned that I was among the more than twenty other people who would be called to testify as fact witnesses. Again, I was subpoenaed consistent with Canon 2, §C of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Thus, contrary to implications in the press articles, the fact that I was subpoenaed does not suggest any lack of cooperation on my part.

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"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