Only a third of the public can even name the three branches of government. In fact, surveys show that approximately 75% of the public cannot distinguish the role of a judge from the role of the legislature. My second observation was that many of these attacks stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the judicial branch of government. The problem comes when healthy criticism is replaced with more destructive intimidation and sanctions. The freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy. That is not to say that judges are above criticism or that people should not voice disagreements with judicial decisions. But recent attacks are broader and more vitriolic than any I have seen in my lifetime. ![]() I have seen attacks on the judiciary before, of course, starting with the "Impeach Earl Warren" billboard on the highway near the Lazy B Ranch where I grew up. First, I was concerned about mounting attacks on courts and judges. Sandra Day O'Connor: Two observations compelled me to develop Our Courts. ![]() Marianne Schnall: Was there any one observation of our society that motivated you to create the Our Courts website ? Here are some highlights from our interview:
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