Supreme Court Justices Reveal How They Maintain Respect, Civility During Deliberations

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett revealed on Tuesday the norms that justices follow to accommodate differing viewpoints and ensure they work without conflict.

“We don’t speak in a hot way in our conferences,” Justice Barrett said during a forum at George Washington University, referring to meetings between justices where they discuss cases. “We do not raise voices, no matter how, you know, how hot-buttoned the case. We always speak with respect. There’s a norm for how we speak.

“The chief justice begins because he’s the most senior and you go around in a circle, most senior down to most junior, and you say what you think about the case. And the norm is that you cannot interrupt the other person. So, we hear everybody out and it’s not until everybody has spoken that there then can be some back and forth.”

Read Full Article Here