Where Every Word Counts

Interesting article in the New York Times today (yes, the New York Times) about the profound transitions that justices coming on to the Court encounter. This quote from Justice Breyer about his first years on the Court particularly struck me:

"I was afraid I might inadvertently write something harmful," Justice Breyer said. "People read every word. Everything you do is important. There is a seriousness to every word, and you really can't go back. Precedent doesn't absolutely limit you. In almost every case, you're in a wide-open area. The breadth of that opening, getting up to speed on each case, constitutional law as a steady diet, the importance to the profession. ..." His voice trailed off, and he shook his head. "My goodness!" he exclaimed.

Now, Breyer's a little self-indulgent in my view (perhaps more than a little), but there's no doubt that becoming Supreme Court justice must carry with it a feeling of responsibility that few of us can imagine and even fewer would want.

Update: Also, check out the brief note at the end of the Times story about the office chambers for retired SCOTUS justices.

Update #2: There's another podcast up from Breyer at the U of Chicago. This time, he's speaking on the topic of "So I'm a Supreme Court Justice - What Do I Do All Day?." Haven't listened to it yet, but it apparently includes some interesting accounts of some of the Court's quirkier traditions for new justices.

(Via SCOTUSblog)