But I really think it's a very unfortunate part of our judicial system and I would feel much, much better if more states would really consider whether they think the benefits outweigh the very serious potential injustice, because in these cases the emotions are very, very high on both sides and to have stakes as high as you do in these cases, there is a special potential for error. We cannot ignore the fact that in recent years a disturbing number of inmates on death row have been exonerated.
John Paul StevensWhen the commission finds that a pig has entered the parlor, the exercise of its regulatory power does not depend on proof the pig is obscene.
John Paul StevensThe level of discourse reaching a mailbox simply cannot be limited to that which would be suitable for a sandbox.
John Paul StevensIt might be added that corporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no feelings, no thoughts, no desires. Corporations help structure and facilitate the activities of human beings, to be sure, and their โpersonhoodโ often serves as a useful legal fiction. But they are not themselves members of โWe the Peopleโ by whom and for whom our Constitution was established.
John Paul StevensEven in high school, a rule that permits only one point of view to be expressed is less likely to produce correct answers than the open discussion of countervailing views.
John Paul Stevens