From James Beer
Green Co. Circuit Court judge, Branch 1
and Thomas Vale
Green Co. Circuit Court judge, Branch 2
To the editor,
In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. It is a special day to celebrate our nation's commitment to the rule of law. This year's national theme is "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom."
Even if you have never been inside a courtroom, you benefit from what happens there every day. Our courts and judicial system provide a means for every citizen to resolve conflicts fairly and peacefully. The courts are essential to maintaining a free society. The state must enforce criminal laws for the protection of society while at the same time, the courts must protect the individual liberties of its citizens and ensure that every individual's fundamental due process rights are protected.
From criminal cases, to divorce and family law cases, to personal injury claims, to landlord-tenant cases, citizens turn to the courts to provide a fair and impartial forum to settle disputes. Commerce depends on our courts to enforce contracts and fair business regulations and citizens depend on the courts to insure consumer safety.
The courts do not belong to lawyers and judges, they belong to everybody. Open and accessible courts are essential to maintaining our American way of life and protecting our constitutional freedoms.
As American citizens, we take our judicial system and our freedoms for granted. We hope everyone will take a moment on Law Day to reflect on our American legal system. While not perfect, we believe it truly is the best legal system to be found anywhere in the world.
Green Co. Circuit Court judge, Branch 1
and Thomas Vale
Green Co. Circuit Court judge, Branch 2
To the editor,
In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. It is a special day to celebrate our nation's commitment to the rule of law. This year's national theme is "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom."
Even if you have never been inside a courtroom, you benefit from what happens there every day. Our courts and judicial system provide a means for every citizen to resolve conflicts fairly and peacefully. The courts are essential to maintaining a free society. The state must enforce criminal laws for the protection of society while at the same time, the courts must protect the individual liberties of its citizens and ensure that every individual's fundamental due process rights are protected.
From criminal cases, to divorce and family law cases, to personal injury claims, to landlord-tenant cases, citizens turn to the courts to provide a fair and impartial forum to settle disputes. Commerce depends on our courts to enforce contracts and fair business regulations and citizens depend on the courts to insure consumer safety.
The courts do not belong to lawyers and judges, they belong to everybody. Open and accessible courts are essential to maintaining our American way of life and protecting our constitutional freedoms.
As American citizens, we take our judicial system and our freedoms for granted. We hope everyone will take a moment on Law Day to reflect on our American legal system. While not perfect, we believe it truly is the best legal system to be found anywhere in the world.
