Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy R. Hassell addressed a full auditorium in Wilson Hall yesterday, focusing on the functions of the judiciary branch of government in Virginia.
Hassell, a 1977 graduate of the University, is the only black Justice on the seven-member state supreme court.
Hassell was the first of several speakers this semester for Government and Foreign Affairs Prof. Larry J. Sabato's Introduction to American Politics class.
Each year, Sabato said he tries to bring in a speaker to lecture on the judicial unit of the popular class.
"Students enjoy the real world perspective," Sabato said. "It takes the dry world of a textbook and brings it to life."
Though Hassell was not able to speak on political issues or pending court cases, he spoke on varied aspects of the court and provided examples by discussing past cases.
Hassell said one challenge of being a justice is that it often involves making complicated distinctions between what is legally correct and morally correct.
"The great thing about being a justice is there are many things you cannot discuss," Hassell said. "As a jurist it is my responsibility to apply laws even though I think they are unwise."
He addressed the issue of capital punishment extensively in a question and answer period following the talk.
"I believe that capital punishment, if administered fairly, is appropriate," he said.
Hassell said that in his tenure with the court, he had ruled on "the worst acts of depravity you could see."
He also spoke on the duties of the court.
"We are a court of last resort," he said.
The justices agree to hear only about 25 percent of the cases filed in the court, he added, though they do not have a quota.
A three-justice panel decides the cases that the court will hear based on injustices made on the appellants in the lower courts, disagreement with the original decision or if the case is important enough to write an opinion on.
"If any one member believes a case is worthy, he or she can grant an appeal," he said.
Hassell said unlike the Federal Supreme Court, the Virginia Supreme Court decides who should write majority opinions two weeks in advance, based on what number justices draw from a hat.
Hassell offered his advice to current University students who aspire to great heights, to remain focused on their career goals.
"You can have a lot of fun here, but you have to keep your eye on the prize," he said.
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