I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I don't view prosecutors and attorneys as natural enemies. ... Though their roles are oppositional, the two simply have different roles to play in pursuit of the larger purpose, realizing the rule of law. ... This is not to deny that the will to win drives those efforts. ... Rather, it is simply to insist that ultimately, neither the accused nor society is served unless the integrity of the system is set above the expedient purposes of either side.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of fairness and integrity in the legal system over the competitive nature of legal roles.
Sonia Sotomayor's quote reflects on the relationship between prosecutors and defense attorneys, arguing that while they may seem like adversaries due to their opposing roles, both are essential in upholding the rule of law. She highlights that the pursuit of victory should not overshadow the integrity of the justice system, as the ultimate aim is to serve both the accused and society fairly.
Themes
JusticeIntegrityLawFairnessAdvocacy
In practice
Example use cases
During a legal seminar discussing the ethics of legal practice.
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