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.
More from Sonia Sotomayor
All quotes →This wealth of experiences, personal and professional, have helped me appreciate the variety of perspectives that present themselves in every case that I hear.
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I was fifteen years old when I understood how it is that things break down: people can't imagine someone else's point of view.
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The truth is that since childhood I had cultivated an existential independence. It came from perceiving the adults around me as unreliable, and without it I felt I wouldn't have survived. I cared deeply for everyone in my family, but in the end I depended on myself.
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As you discover what strength you can draw from your community in this world from which it stands apart, look outward as well as inward. Build bridges instead of walls.
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There are uses to adversity, and they don't reveal themselves until tested. Whether it's serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.
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