The Peoples Forum
Due to the extraordinary coverage of the Terry Schiavo case we decided to place this press release in The Peoples Forum. In this case The President of the Florida Bar is reaching out just as our readers do and we believe this merits placement in this Forum. While the Times diagrees with the outcome we respect their right to voice their reasons
KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON
STATEMENT OF KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON,
PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR
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TALLAHASSEE -- "The tragic and high visibility case of Terri Schiavo has resulted in an unprecedented and unjustified attack upon our judiciary. Regardless of anyone’s personal or political feelings about the Schiavo case, this is a critical time for Americans to recognize the vital role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law and the importance of the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
"It is in times like these that we should recognize that our judges, on a daily basis and not just in high profile cases, have the duty and responsibility to protect the rights and liberties afforded to all of us by law. Judges have no control over which cases come before them and they will inevitably be involved in deciding difficult and unpopular cases. When presiding over a case, judges make rulings based solely on the Constitution and other laws, and not their own feelings or personal beliefs.
"While we may disagree with decisions and actions of public officials including judges, it is entirely unacceptable and unfair for our judges to be criticized and even vilified when no judicial basis for such criticism exists. Unfortunately that is what is happening as emotions heighten in the Terri Schiavo case. Florida newspapers are now reporting that Circuit Judge George Greer has not only been accused of murder and terrorism by congressional leaders in Washington, but has received death threats and was
pressured to leave his church.
"Societal dilemmas should never be confused with constitutional responsibilities. Florida’s legal profession knows from polling that Floridians want nothing less than a fair and impartial judiciary. Judge
Greer is an ideal representative of the type of judge citizens want to hear their case. His rulings are based on laws, not emotions and not politics. Indeed, his rulings have been repeatedly reviewed and scrutinized by many different courts on many different occasions. We must continue to have confidence in our legal system and expect our judges to act with the knowledge and integrity required of their position.
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Circuit Judge George Greer |
| "Judges are limited by duty to responding to such unfair criticism. But Florida’s editorial boards, community leaders and the 75,000-member Florida Bar are not. The Florida Bar joins many of the state’s major newspapers and democratic advocates in denouncing the unwarranted attacks on the judges and courts which serve everyone in this great country. " |
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