Today marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. There are many resounding quotes from that speech, but the lasting sentiment that still rings true in the court of law is this:
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of it’s creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
Regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation, all citizens under the guardianship of the United States are entitled to a trial by jury. To ensure every citizen is afforded legal representation, the court of law will appoint an attorney to assist any person who cannot find representation of their own.
Similar to King’s belief that the world should not be quick to condemn a person by the color of their skin, the court of law does not presume that the accused is guilty of the crime. The presumption of innocence has been adapted in courtrooms across the country, but the motto lends itself from the Latin phrase “Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat,” which translates to “the burden of proof lies with who declares, not who denies.” A person should not be judged simply because of their race, or because charges have been levied against them.
Legal Impact
As we noted in post on Martin Luther King Day in January, King’s legal impact began far before he ever stepped up to the podium in Washington.
King was only a young minister in Montgomery when he was elected leader of the Montgomery Improvement Association, which proved to be a catalyst for the organization of the bus boycotts. Because the boycotts were so successful, authorities arrested King on the charge of “conspiracy to interfere with a business.” He faced a $500 fine or 386 days in jail, and he elected to serve the time. He was released two weeks later after city officials caved under intense national and political pressure.
Using the national spotlight to their advantage, local lawyers decided to challenge the constitutionality of the discriminatory bus laws. After hearing all the testimony, the court ruled that the biased bus laws violated the equal protection clause guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The ruling, coupled with King’s speech at the March on Washington, was instrumental in abolishing Jim Crow laws across the country.
