District Court News & Updates

Message and Thoughts on Independence Day

Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation. The birth of a nation, marking an idea and our collective belief contained within the second paragraph of that declaration, when it states:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

A lot has changed since the signing of this declaration in 1776. We are definitely more inclusive in our understanding and writing of who has unalienable rights. However, our understanding and commitment to basic principles, which so many have advocated for and even laid down their lives for, has not changed. It is a belief that government, our government, serves one purpose. Specifically, to ensure “all”, both individually and collectively, our lives, our freedoms and ability to pursue a secure and abundant life, are advanced and protected. In other words, the government serves the people.

Your judiciary serves this purpose and you!  In fact, we are the organized power (branch of government) designed to safeguard the foundational principals of our nation. The judiciary interprets and upholds the Constitution.  We ensure that laws and government actions comply with its provisions. Through maintaining the Rule of Law, we safeguard individual rights and act as a check on potential abuse of power by other branches of government. This is done to safeguard the principles our nation laid out, as envisioned, to safeguard our lives, freedoms and the pursuit of safety and happiness. This is the function of all courts, whether from lowest to highest court or a trial court to an appellate court.  

Despite attempts to politicize your judiciary and give judges political leanings, we have always served an important non-partisan role. This is a critical facet that ensures the integrity and impartiality of the process.   Non-partisan, meaning we are free from biases or partisans, especially towards political groups. While judges may have legal interpretative leanings, such as the difference between originalism and progressive constitutionalism, we stay free from partisan motivations.  

Remember, generally there is always one party that does not prevail. The judiciary is designed to safeguard life and freedoms set out in our Constitution and the laws of our land. It is not designed to follow populism, no matter how popular. However, “we the people” were smart enough to lay the foundations that provided a perpetual voice to change and evolve these principals within our Constitution and laws. Through our vote and consent to be governed, the legislative and executive branches of government derive their power.  Lest we not forget, with our consent, they serve to improve our safety and happiness.   

Happy Fourth!        

Judge Ronald Costeck