Justice Steve Reynolds
Working for justice
Biography
Justice Reynolds was born and raised in Avon, Indiana by his parents along with two sisters and one brother. He attended Indiana University and then went on to the University of Pennsylvania for a graduate degree in Law. He then returned to Indiana to work in the district and appellate courts for a total of 18 years before being appointed to the federal court system. Justice Steve Reynolds has worked diligently in both criminal and civil courts, aiming for justice in every case he oversaw. The President has chosen Justice Reynolds as the next Justice of the Supreme Court because of his integrity and his willingness to put aside personal beliefs in favor of the Constitution he has sworn to uphold.
Originalist Interpretation
Justice Reynolds believes in an originalist view of the Constitution. The United States functions based off this important document, and to try and parse out a new definition of its meaning every time a new issue- be it a civil rights, criminal rights, or other kind of dispute- comes about defeats the entire purpose of retaining the Constitution for the duration of this great nation.
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
This case dealt with the Second Amendment, and whether private citizens were allowed to keep functional handguns in their homes. With an originalist perspective, the Court ruled that the DC ban on functional handguns kept on private property was unconstitutional. Justice Reynolds would agree that states and territories cannot limit citizens' Constitutional rights. Furthermore, Justice Reynolds, had be been on the bench at that time, would concur that the 'militia' referenced in the Second Amendment does not refer directly to today's military because as a militia was simply any able-bodied man willing to defend his home. Limiting this fundamental right to those in the military diverts from the Constitution.
Gregg v Georgia (1976)
With this case, the Court referred to the Eighth Amendment and the discussion on whether or not capital punishment is 'cruel and unusual punishment.' Justice Reynolds would agree with the Court that the death penalty, in extreme cases, doesn't necessarily fall under this category. However, there are limitations to this statute: there must be objective criteria established beforehand and the character of the individual defender.