A state of war is not a blank check... when it comes to the rights of the Nation's citizens.
Sandra Day O'ConnorMy concerns through the years increased about the concerns of an independent judiciary and how we maintain it. Certainly in the states. I'm a product of state government in my own state of Arizona. And it seemed to me that the popular election of judges was creating major problems in many states, and we had improved the system in Arizona. And I thought the nation ought to at least rethink how we select our nation's trial judges in the states.
Sandra Day O'ConnorI think the important thing about my appointment is not that I will decide cases as a woman, but that I am a woman who will get to decide cases.
Sandra Day O'ConnorI don't know how a judge can concentrate on being fair and impartial when he or she is faced with possible jail time for making a decision that others deem incorrect.
Sandra Day O'Connor