Chief Justice John Roberts visits UNL
Rare public comments were made Friday from the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Video: Justice Roberts responds to questions Friday
John Roberts sat down for an hour with law students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Friday, addressing a wide range of issues, including what it takes to be a judge and how to make an impression on a jury.
Roberts recalled an instance in which a defense attorney had the perfect line in response to a U.S. attorney’s opening statement.
"’I speak for the people of the United States,’ and when it became his turn to address the jury he stood up and said, ‘I also speak for the people of the United States, one at a time,’” said Roberts.
Halfway through the hour, the subject matter turned serious when Roberts was asked about the greatest challenge facing the court today. Roberts actually looked outside his courtroom.
“It has to do with the other branches of government. They are not getting along very well these days among themselves. It's a period of real partisan rancor that I think impedes their ability to carry out their functions. I don't want it to spill over and affect us. That's not the way we do business,” said Roberts.
Roberts went on to say that several judges currently on the court would have never been confirmed in today’s partisan atmosphere. But in the end, he couldn’t resist a little self-deprecating humor.
“Ask the person on the street every now and then, ‘Who's the chief justice of the Supreme Court?’ Judge Judy usually gets a lot of votes,” said Roberts.