Lawyer Group Opposes Nomination of Thomas
The National Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers has voted to oppose the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We need someone who will have the willingness to protect and defend the Bill of Rights” instead of helping the right-wing Bush Administration and current conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices destroy it, said Jeffrey S. Weiner, president of the criminal defense lawyers’ group. “America is in a very scary, scary time.”
The 35 members of the group’s board of directors, representing about 25,000 criminal defense lawyers nationwide, voted unanimously against the nomination Saturday at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club, Weiner said.
Thomas, a conservative black who is an appeals court judge for the District of Columbia circuit, was nominated by President Bush to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall.
After reviewing Thomas’ past decisions on criminal cases, his speeches and essays, members said the nominee has not demonstrated a professional commitment to the ideals of individual liberty and justice.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
