Question

What does Justice Sandra Day O'Connor say that judicial independence is not?

Answer 1

Sandra Day O'Conner states-

Step-by-step explanation:

Judicial independence is hard to define: Judges can be subject to discipline for legitimate reasons, and the political branches properly control, to some degree, the jurisdiction and political makeup of the federal courts and the various state courts. But, if I may coin a phrase, I know judicial independence when I see it. For instance, suppose, during a period of stormy relations between the White House and the Chief Justice, the President’s bodyguards killed the Chief Justice’s pet cat. Or suppose the executive branch threatened to cut the water supply to the Supreme Court building to prevent the Court from meeting and making anti-Presidential statements, or the Council of Ministers tried to evict the Constitutional Court from its offices. The first two events actually happened in the early- to mid-1990s in Russia under Yeltsin, and the third happened in Bulgaria in 1995. I think we can all agree that is not judicial independence.

Answer 2

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor emphasizes that judicial independence is not solely influenced by personal political beliefs and attitudes. Rather, she believes that justices should prioritize impartiality and adhere to the Constitution and the law.

Step-by-step explanation:

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor says that judicial independence is not influenced solely by personal beliefs and political attitudes.

In her view, although a justice may have their own political ideology or party identification, they are expected to follow the Constitution and the law despite their policy preferences.

She emphasizes that while political views may influence some decisions, an independent judiciary should prioritize impartiality and adherence to the law.