Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Misinterprets Dred Scott Decision
Maria Lazar, a conservative contender for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, recently demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the Dred Scott decision, a significant case in the annals of American legal history, during an interview.
Lazar, who currently serves on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, is vying to fill the position of retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley in the upcoming election on April 17. Her comments have drawn attention to her understanding of historic legal precedents.
The Dred Scott decision, delivered by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1857, ruled that the Constitution did not extend full citizenship rights to Black individuals. In an October 1 radio interview, Lazar mentioned this ruling as an example of a case that was incorrect and subsequently overturned by the court.
“Precedent doesn’t mean that you never overturn a case,” Lazar stated. “I mean, there are cases, for example, Dred Scott and some other appalling cases that the U.S. Supreme Court issued that deservedly should have been overturned.”
However, this assertion is inaccurate as the Dred Scott decision was never overturned by the Supreme Court. Instead, it was effectively nullified by the passage of new constitutional amendments: the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery; the 14th Amendment, which established full citizenship rights for Black individuals; and the 15th Amendment, which safeguarded citizens’ voting rights.
With four liberals and three conservatives currently on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the outcome of the April 7 election will be pivotal in determining whether the liberal majority remains solid or unchanged. The newly appointed judge is expected to preside over cases such as congressional redistricting.
Lazar’s opponent, Judge Chris Taylor of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, has garnered endorsements from Sen. Tammy Baldwin and the AFL-CIO, signaling a competitive race.
For more information, visit the original article on American Journal News.
