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Quotation from Plyler v. Doe by Supreme Court of the United States
“However, the Constitution does not constitute us as "Platonic Guardians" nor does it vest in this Court the authority to strike down laws because they do not meet our standards of desirable social policy, "wisdom," or "common sense."”
Plyler v. Doe, Dissent of Chief Justice Burger (excerpt) (U.S. Reports text (Legal Information Institute))
Chief Justice Burger, for four dissenters, states the limits of judicial power after conceding the policy arguments against the law.
Citation: "However, the Constitution does not constitute us as "Platonic Guardians" nor does it vest in this Court the authority to strike down laws because they do not meet our standards of desirable social policy, "wisdom," or "common sense."" — Supreme Court of the United States, Plyler v. Doe, Dissent of Chief Justice Burger (excerpt) (U.S. Reports text (Legal Information Institute)). (id plyler-v-doe-q5)
Portrait: US Supreme Court Justice William Brennan - 1972 official portrait, Robert S. Oakes, Public domain.
