Judge’s Record Impresses Goldwater

Gazette Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON – A review of the 29 published opinions of Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Sandra O’Connor , Supreme Court justice-designate, attests to her “exceptionally high professional qualifications,” Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, R-Ariz., said. Goldwater last week told the Senate he and his staff have studied the opinions the judge prepared, and said: “It is quite clear from reading her decisions that she is unusually thorough, reasoned, detailed and logical in her decision making. She takes careful account of all sides of an issue and always makes a pains – taking analysis of the case.”

GOLDWATER said that in his opinion, Judge O’Connor is “a strict constructionist both of case law and statutory interpretation.” “Throughout all her opinions, Judge O’Connor is fair,” the statement continued.” In a high number of cases, she ruled with little people fighting against big institutions, such as cases involving small citizens defending themselves against large corporations or governmental agencies.”

Goldwater said that in the furor over President Reagan’s appointment of Judge O’Connor to the Supreme Court her legal abilities have been overlooked. For the record, he cited some of her opinions. “TO BEGIN, I will call attention to the case of Fernandez v. United Acceptance Corp. Here Judge O’Connor made a finding that a citizen’s freedom of privacy had been invaded by the undue harassment of a creditor in attempting to collect a debt,” Goldwater