The risk of racial prejudice infecting a capital sentencing proceeding is especially serious in light of the complete finality of the death sentence.
Meaning of the quote
The quote is saying that when deciding if someone should be given the death penalty, there is a very high chance that racial bias could affect the decision. This is a big problem because the death sentence is permanent and cannot be undone, no matter what.
About Byron White
Byron White was an American lawyer, jurist, and professional football player who served on the Supreme Court from 1962 to 1993. He had a diverse career, excelling as a student-athlete, Rhodes Scholar, naval officer, and advocate for the federal government and civil rights before his appointment to the nation’s highest court.
More quotes from Byron White
The law is constantly based on notions of morality, and if all laws representing essentially moral choices are to be invalidated under the due process clause, the courts will be very busy indeed.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
We’re the only branch of government that explains itself in writing every time it makes a decision.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
Where the suspect poses no immediate threat to the officer and no threat to others, the harm resulting from the failing to apprehend him does not justify the use of deadly force to do so.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
The risk of racial prejudice infecting a capital sentencing proceeding is especially serious in light of the complete finality of the death sentence.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
The Court is most vulnerable and comes nearest to illegitimacy when it deals with judge-made constitutional law having little or no cognizable roots in the language or design of the Constitution.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
The 1st Amendment protects the right to speak, not the right to spend.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
Maintaining order in the classrooms has never been easy and it is evident that the school setting requires some easing of the restrictions to which searches by public authorities are ordinarily subject.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)
To exclude all jurors who would be in the slightest way affected by the prospect of the death penalty would be to deprive the defendant of the impartial jury to which he or she is entitled under the law.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and American football player (1917-2002)