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About Justice
Weaver
Retired August 26, 2010
Throughout Justice Elizabeth "Betty" Weaver's over
35 years of experience as a trial and appellate judge (Probate/Juvenile,
Court of Appeals, Supreme Court), including 2 years as Chief
Justice, she has maintained a proven record based on these major
practices:
Exercising
Judicial Restraint
Applying Common
Sense
A fundamental tenet of
her stand for jusitice is to hold wrong-doers accountable and responsible
for their actions, while providing opportunities for them to discover and
develop their own self-worth and to become law-abiding, productive citizens.
In exercising judicial
restraint (interpreting, not making, the law -- judicial self-discipline), Justice
Weaver has followed the law as constitutionally passed by the legislature
and consistent with the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. She has used
the responsibility of interpretation, not as a sword to superimpose her
own personal views (or those of special interest groups) on the
law, but as a shield to protect the constitutional rights of the
people and the constitutional acts of the legislative and executive branches.
In November 2002, Justice Weaver won re-election for a second 8-year term on
the Michigan Supreme Court.
This site provides information about her experience, credentials, principles,
and major initiatives for the State of Michigan.
Check this site often for up-to-date press releases and other information about
important work going on in the Supreme Court of Michigan.
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ELIZABETH A. “BETTY” WEAVER
JUSTICE OF THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT
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| EDUCATION |
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JURIS DOCTORATE
Honor
Graduate, Order of Coif, top 10 of class
Tulane Law Review |
Tulane University Law School
New Orleans, Louisiana |
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BACHELOR OF ARTS
Phi Beta
Kappa, Deans List, Who’s Who in American Colleges
and Universities, Mortar Board, French Government Excellence
in French Award |
Newcomb College
New Orleans, Louisiana |
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TEACHER CERTIFICATION |
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan |
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| PROFESSIONAL HISTORY |
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JUSTICE
Michigan Supreme
Court
Elected November 1994,
Re-elected November 2002 |
JANUARY 1995 – AUGUST 26, 2010
Lansing, Michigan |
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CHIEF JUSTICE
Michigan Supreme
Court
Elected January 1999 |
JANUARY 1999 – JANUARY 2001
Lansing, Michigan |
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COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE
Michigan
Court of Appeals
Elected November 1986, Re-elected November 1992 |
JANUARY 1987 – JANUARY 1995
Traverse City, Michigan |
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TRIAL JUDGE (part-time)
Probate/Juvenile Court
Elected November
1974, Re-elected November 1976 & 1982
Elected to judgeship as effective communicator, experienced
attorney, teacher and administrator with proven understanding
of young people, knowledge of mental health and probate
laws. Concurrent private law practice in Glen Arbor, Michigan |
JANUARY 1975 – JANUARY 1987
Leelanau County, Michigan |
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ATTORNEY AT LAW
Private Practice
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1965 – 1986 Louisiana &
Michigan |
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DEAN OF GIRLS SCHOOL AND FRENCH TEACHER
Leelanau School |
Glen Arbor, Michigan |
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ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Glen Lake
Community School |
Maple City, Michigan |
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INSTRUCTOR, OFF CAMPUS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Central Michigan University
Originated and taught college course entitled What Everyone
Should Know about the Law |
Traverse City, Michigan |
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ATTORNEY AT LAW — TITLE SPECIALIST
Chevron Oil Company |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
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LAW CLERK
Civil District Court
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New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| APPOINTMENTS, COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS |
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BY GOVERNOR GRANHOLM
Michigan
Committee on Juvenile Justice
Chairperson, Taskforce for Children’s Justice on
Child Abuse and Neglect |
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BY GOVERNOR ENGLER
Chairperson,
Trial Court Assessment Commission
Chairperson, Taskforce for Children’s Justice on
Child Abuse and Neglect
Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice |
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BY GOVERNOR BLANCHARD
Michigan
Committee on Juvenile Justice |
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BY GOVERNOR MILLIKEN
Michigan
Commission on Criminal Justice
Michigan Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice |
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BY MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE
RILEY
Probate Juvenile Court Benchbook
Steering Committee |
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BY MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WILLIAMS
Special Ad Hoc Committee regarding part-time
probate judges |
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BY MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE COLEMAN
Judicial Coordination Council for Michigan
Supreme Court |
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BY MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS CHIEF JUDGE
DANHOF
Supreme Court, Court of
Appeals Steering Committee |
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| COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS |
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Michigan Supreme Court Education
Advisory Committee for Probate and Juvenile Judges
Chairperson, Michigan State Bar Juvenile Law Committee |
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| COMMUNITY SERVICE |
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• Zonta International
• Steering Committee, Grand Traverse/Leelanau Commission
on Youth
• Glen Arbor Township Zoning Board, Glen Arbor,
Michigan
• Chamber Arts North, Leelanau County
• Traverse Bay Area Traffic & Safety Committee
• Church activities: Second Reader, Committee memberships,
Board Chairman, Sunday School teacher
• Arnell Engstrom Children's Center, Citizen's Advisory
Council
• Pathfinder School Treaty Law Demonstration Project,
Community Advisory Committee
• Grand Traverse/Leelanau Mental Health Foundation
• Trustee, Clothes for Kids of America, Inc.
• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation |
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| HONORS |
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• Inducted into Michigan
Women’s Hall of Fame, October 25, 2005
• Selected as one of thirty in nation to attend
Institute of Judicial Administration Appellate Judges
Seminar, New York University School of Law, New York City
• Selected as one of five outstanding young women
in Michigan by Michigan Jaycees
• Selected as one of thirty outstanding women in
Michigan by the Michigan Women's Commission
• People Magazine, featured for position on juvenile
justice
• Good Morning, America, national television guest
appearance regarding position on juvenile justice
• Delta Kappa Gamma (International Teachers Honorary
Society), honorary member
• Police Officers Association of Michigan, Jurist
of the Year, 1999
• Eagle Award, Warren Easton, Hall of Fame, Inducted
1999
• Michigan Champions in Childhood Injury Prevention
B Lifetime Dedication to Children Award, Jan. 2000
• Governor Engler and Family Independence Agency
recognition award for outstanding service to the children
and families of Michigan, August 2000
• Newcomb College Alumna of the Year, (part of Tulane
University) 2005 |
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"What we in the judiciary most need is patience,
meekness, compassion, and courage to 'Do Right and Fear Not.'"
Chief Justice Weaver
State of the Judiciary
"She
is bringing a fresh, dedicated, incisive mind to the Michigan Supreme Court."
Judge Myron Wahls
Court of Appeals
"I
know Betty Weaver. She threw me in jail....But I would vote for her, because
she...straightened me out, and the sentence was just."
Former convicted juvenile offender
"Your
judicial experience...was outstanding. Your leadership abilities...have been
impressive. There is sound reasoning for my full confidence in you as a justice."
Mary S. Coleman
Chief Justice 1978-82
Judge Weaver
has been recognized in many ways for her public service, including selection
as one of five outstanding young women in Michigan by the Michigan Jaycees.
It is a pleasure for myself to recognize Judge Weaver as a capable and devoted
public servant.
G. Mennen Williams
Chief Justice 1982-86
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