To force a lawyer on a defendant can only lead him to believe that the law contrives against him.

About Potter Stewart

Potter Stewartwas an American lawyer and judge who was an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1958 to 1981. During his tenure, he made major contributions to criminal justice reform, civil rights, access to the courts, and Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.

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More quotes from Potter Stewart

I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material but I know it when I see it.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

In fact, a fundamental interdependence exists between the personal right to liberty and the personal right to property.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

The 4th Amendment and the personal rights it secures have a long history. At the very core stands the right of a man to retreat into his own home and there be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

The dichotomy between personal liberties and property rights is a false one. Property does not have rights. People have rights.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

Fairness is what justice really is.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

To force a lawyer on a defendant can only lead him to believe that the law contrives against him.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

Abortion is inherently different from other medical procedures because no other procedure involves the purposeful termination of a potential life.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

It must always be remembered that what the Constitution forbids is not all searches and seizures, but unreasonable searches and seizures.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

A person’s mere propinquity to others independently suspected of criminal activity does not give rise to probable cause to search that person.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)

Swift justice demands more than just swiftness.

Potter Stewart

US Supreme Court justice from 1958 to 1981 (1915-1985)