Interview with former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald

Part 1: In an oral history interview, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald discusses his family background, serving in the armed forces, attending law school at the University of Michigan, the early days of his legal career, and running for the the Michigan Senate in 1958 and the newly created Michigan Court of Appeals in 1964. Justice Fitzgerald also talks about his decision to leave the Court of Appeals to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court, the Supreme Court election process, his own campaigns and his decision not to accept campaign contributions from lawyers. Fitzgerald further provides insight on the Supreme Court's decision making process, the composition of the Court during his tenure and the famous Scholle vs. Secretary of State case. Part 2: In an oral history interview, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald talks about his early days on the Michigan Supreme Court and difficult issues faced by the Court in the nineteen-seventies, including selecting a new Chief Justice in 1974, the death of Justice Thomas M. Kavanagh in 1975, and the investigation of Justice John Swainson later that same year. He says that some cases suffered during that period because the Court was "short-handed". Justice Fitzgerald also discusses memorable cases decided by the Court during his tenure, including People vs. Beavers and the "Poletown" case, the legislative role of the court, and collegiality amongst the justices.

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In Collections: Interviews with Michigan State Supreme Court Justices

Copyright Status: In Copyright

Date: 1990

Interviewees: Fitzgerald, John W. (John Warner), 1924-2006

Interviewers: Lane, Roger F.

Sponsors: Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society

Subjects: Fitzgerald, John W. (John Warner), 1924-2006
Michigan. Supreme Court
Michigan. Legislature. Senate
Michigan. Court of Appeals
Kavanagh, Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew), 1909-1975
Swainson, John B. (John Burley), 1925-1994
Corruption investigation
Justice, Administration of
Apportionment (Election law)
Elections
Employees
Families
Judges
Judges--Election
Judges--Selection and appointment
Law
Law--Study and teaching
Michigan

Material Type: Sound recordings
Interviews

Language: English

Extent: 03:04:03

Note: Image courtesy of the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society.
Digital remastering of analog cassettes originally recorded for "Interviews with Michigan Supreme Court Justices," sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society.

Historical Note: See the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society website for more information on the life of John W. Fitzgerald.

Holding Institution: Vincent Voice Library

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5f18wp21

Page Info

1 of 2: Interview with former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald. Part 1

In an oral history interview, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald discusses his family background, serving in the armed forces, attending law school at the University of Michigan, the early days of his legal career, and running for the the Michigan Senate in 1958 and the newly created Michigan Court of Appeals in 1964. Justice Fitzgerald also talks about his decision to leave the Court of Appeals to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court, the Supreme Court election process, his own campaigns and his decision not to accept campaign contributions from lawyers. Fitzgerald further provides insight on the Supreme Court's decision making process, the composition of the Court during his tenure and the famous Scholle vs. Secretary of State case.

Read

Date: 1990-09-24

Subjects: Fitzgerald, John W. (John Warner), 1924-2006
Michigan. Supreme Court
Michigan. Legislature. Senate
Michigan. Court of Appeals
Apportionment (Election law)
Elections
Employees
Families
Judges
Judges--Election
Judges--Selection and appointment
Law
Law--Study and teaching
Michigan

Extent: 01:31:00

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5p26tb7w

2 of 2: Interview with former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald. Part 2

In an oral history interview, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald talks about his early days on the Michigan Supreme Court and difficult issues faced by the Court in the nineteen-seventies, including selecting a new Chief Justice in 1974, the death of Justice Thomas M. Kavanagh in 1975, and the investigation of Justice John Swainson later that same year. He says that some cases suffered during that period because the Court was "short-handed". Justice Fitzgerald also discusses memorable cases decided by the Court during his tenure, including People vs. Beavers and the "Poletown" case, the legislative role of the court, and collegiality amongst the justices.

Read

Date: 1990-10-08

Subjects: Fitzgerald, John W. (John Warner), 1924-2006
Michigan. Supreme Court
Kavanagh, Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew), 1909-1975
Swainson, John B. (John Burley), 1925-1994
Corruption investigation
Employees
Judges
Justice, Administration of
Trials
Michigan

Extent: 01:33:03

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m56q1wq9x

Interview with former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald. Part 1

Interview with former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald. Part 2