Justice As I see It...

Wielding the sword of Truth, the Lady of Justice stands braced to defend a system of balance. For without Truth, Justice is lost, and without Justice, Liberty is lost.

In the mythology of ancient Egypt, as death, the deceased's heart would be weighed against the "Ma'at", the feather of Truth. If the heart, heavy with inequity, tipped the scales out of balance, the judged one would be ferried across the river Styx to the Underworld to serve the sentence of divine Justice. Today, the scales of social justice are tipped seriously askew and responsibility rests upon those within the judicial system to correct the imbalance before the Final Judgment is decided. While the heart above the scales denotes that all judgment must be tempered with compassion and mercy, the all-seeing eye of God suspended beneath reminds us all of the admonition that "as we judge, so shall we be judged."

The Lady of Justice, nomally passive and trusting in the legal system, in her outrage has become the warrior fighting to prevent further transgressions, if not her complete demise. Originally blindfolded to prevent undue influence, her "blindness" has allowed her to be violated by the very people swoen to be her guadians.

Rising as the naked truth out of the shroud of illusion, she brandishes the Sword of Justice. Although the twelve inces of the point are nicked and scarred from the battering and subjugation of our jury system at the hands of Power, the remaining twent-four inches of Truth remain unblemished. Elusive and hidden as the pearl within its shell, Truth cannot be bought and sold, only temporarily obfuscated by falsehood. Yet all falsehood and illusion will themselves ultimately be crucified upon the cross of omnipotent Sword of Trtuh when it pierces the hearty in purification.

The serpents entwind around the Lady's brow, one posisonous and the other non, warn of the dangers inherent to those who presume to judge guilt or innocence without Truth and Justice as a supreme guide.

The steps of the courthouse, the very halls of Justince, have been eroded and chipped away at by would be usurpers. The 12-inch foundation steps represents the ideals of trial by a jury of peers, while the 9-inch upper step symbolizes the nine Supreme Court Justices of the highest court in the land. The sanctity of both vital institutions is in serious danger of crumbling along with the efficay of the entire judicial process without a resounding response to the cries of alarm.

Guardians of Justice, see her plight and hear her pleas; take up the weapons of Law to come to her defense. Stand by her side in mortal combat against the forces aligned against her, or perish in the struggle. Forget not your oaths to Justice.

"Dedicated to our children who first learned of injustice from us."

- Gerry Spence