Hugo Black Quotes

In the right to vote … Justice should never be too expensive. Justice should never be too slow. Justice should never depend on an army of lawyers sweeping in to help, and that is the situation we have now. We are dependent on the ability to find help whenever we can.

Mere access to the courthouse doors does not by itself assure a proper functioning of the adversary process.

When I was a prosecutor in Kansas City, my job was to fight for justice and safety for all citizens in my community. Equal access to justice under the law is an American value embedded in the fabric of our legal and political system - the idea that anybody, powerful or not, can have their day in court.

Man shall be judged by his Peers and Equals. For when the Fate of a Citizen is in Question, all Prejudices arising from the Difference of Rank or Fortune should be stifled; because they ought to have no Influence between the Judges and the Parties accused.

If you don't have much money, you don't have much chance against a rich opponent, whether you are suing them or they are suing you. Cases can go on for years. Judgments can be appealed. The costs become enormous. Only those with deep pockets can pursue such cases to the end.

There is too much law for those who can afford it and far too little for those who cannot.

Justice in this country is an insurance policy. It’s not something that we’re supposed to get sometimes.

If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice.

Only the rich can get justice, only the poor cannot escape it.

Whatever disagreement there may be as to the scope of the phrase "due process of law" there can be no doubt that it embraces the fundamental conception of a fair trial, with opportunity to be heard.

From the very beginning, our state and national constitutions and laws have laid great emphasis on procedural and substantive safeguards designed to assure fair trials before impartial tribunals in which every defendant stands equal before the law. This noble ideal cannot be realized if the poor man charged with crime has to face his accusers without a lawyer to assist him.

Let's give the terrorists a fair trial and then hang them

Justice is not available to all equally; it is something that many of us must struggle to achieve.

People who are wealthy tend to be treated much more fairly in our criminal justice system.

Why is it that no African in the history of this country has ever had the honor of being tried by his own kith and kin, by his own flesh and blood?

This country does not punish its political enemies. What this country ensures is that no one is above the law.

I hope people think about the way trials go today, with the justice system overwhelmed by cases.

The keystone to justice is the belief that the legal system treats all fairly.

In Malaysia, trials have always been fair.

Legal aid is crucial in ensuring those truly guilty of crimes are convicted after due process, and those innocent are able to clear their names, by ensuring that access to legal representation is available for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

The Justice Department is staunchly committed to ensuring that all Americans are treated in a fair and just manner.

A bedrock principle of our justice system is ensuring a fair day in court, something that is especially important for children who cannot advocate for themselves.

While service in the Department of Justice is itself one of the highest forms of public service, the Department further strides to increase access to justice for all and to strengthen our communities.

Without legal aid, and the dedicated lawyers who deliver it, our system of justice would quite simply collapse.

Good laws are fair, do not discriminate against any group and are reasonably implementable.