Alan Dershowitz Quotes

A collection of quotes by Alan Dershowitz.

Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, author, and legal scholar. He was born on September 1, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York. Dershowitz is best known for his prominent and controversial role as a defense attorney in several high-profile criminal cases.

He obtained his Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and went on to earn a law degree from Yale Law School. Dershowitz began his legal career as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg and later joined the faculty at Harvard Law School, where he has taught since 1967. He is currently a professor emeritus at the school.

Throughout his career, Dershowitz has defended many high-profile clients, including O.J. Simpson, Mike Tyson, and Claus von BÃ¼low. He has also been involved in numerous legal and political controversies, advocating for civil liberties and arguing against what he perceives as abuses of power within the legal system.

In addition to his litigation work, Dershowitz is a prolific author, having written over 30 books on a wide range of legal and political topics. He is a regular media commentator and has appeared on numerous television programs, providing legal analysis and commentary.

Alan Dershowitz's career has been marked by his commitment to the principles of civil liberties and his belief in the importance of rigorous legal defense. His influence on American legal thought and his involvement in high-profile cases have solidified his reputation as one of the most renowned lawyers in the country.

I am a peace supporting Jew.

I am a peace supporting Jew.

Alan Dershowitz

I've thought hard about my psychological connections and I t

I've thought hard about my psychological connections and I think I've managed to separate out the psychological from the legal, moral, and political.

Alan Dershowitz

All sides in a trial want to hide at least some of the truth

All sides in a trial want to hide at least some of the truth.

Alan Dershowitz

The judge also has a truth he wants to hide: He often hasn't

The judge also has a truth he wants to hide: He often hasn't been completely candid in describing the facts or the law.

Alan Dershowitz

We don't have an Official Secrets Act in the United States,

We don't have an Official Secrets Act in the United States, as other countries do. Under the First Amendment, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of association are more important than protecting secrets.

Alan Dershowitz

I think that lawyers are terrible at admitting that they're

I think that lawyers are terrible at admitting that they're wrong. And not just admitting it also realizing it. Most lawyers are very successful, and they think that because they're making money and people think well of them, they must be doing everything right.

Alan Dershowitz

The defendant wants to hide the truth because he's generally

The defendant wants to hide the truth because he's generally guilty. The defense attorney's job is to make sure the jury does not arrive at that truth.

Alan Dershowitz

Israel can't make peace without the clear support of the Uni

Israel can't make peace without the clear support of the United States.

Alan Dershowitz

It simply cannot be disputed that for decades the Palestinia

It simply cannot be disputed that for decades the Palestinian leadership was more interested in there not being a Jewish state than in there being a Palestinian state.

Alan Dershowitz

I came from a poor family, so working and going to school at

I came from a poor family, so working and going to school at the same time was natural. It taught me multi-tasking, although we didn't call it that back then. I learned I could never be idle, I need to be doing many things at once.

Alan Dershowitz

In the Pentagon Papers case, the government asserted in the

In the Pentagon Papers case, the government asserted in the Supreme Court that the publication of the material was a threat to national security. It turned out it was not a threat to U.S. security. But even if it had been, that doesn't mean that it couldn't be published.

Alan Dershowitz

You know, it's ironic to me that Christians want to keep the

You know, it's ironic to me that Christians want to keep the Ten Commandments in our schools, because Christianity has abrogated four of the Ten Commandments. For example, the Sabbath day according to the Ten Commandments is Saturday, not Sunday. And the reason is because God rested, not because Jesus was resurrected.

Alan Dershowitz

It's never acceptable to target civilians. It violates the G

It's never acceptable to target civilians. It violates the Geneva Accords, it violates the international law of war and it violates all principles of morality.

Alan Dershowitz

If I could explain it to the average person, I wouldn't have

If I could explain it to the average person, I wouldn't have been worth the Nobel Prize.

Richard Feynman

I am deeply concerned that, without peace and a two-state so

I am deeply concerned that, without peace and a two-state solution, the Jewish and democratic nature of Israel is in danger. That's why I have opposed Israel's settlement policy since 1973, and that's why I have favored a two-state solution since 1967.

Alan Dershowitz

I don't believe in firing professors. They have academic fre

I don't believe in firing professors. They have academic freedom.

Alan Dershowitz

Great research universities must insist on independence from

Great research universities must insist on independence from government and on the exercise of academic freedom.

Alan Dershowitz

We all learn in school that the judicial, legislative and ex

We all learn in school that the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government must check and balance each other. But other non state institutions must participate in this important system of checks and balances as well. These checking institutions include the academy, the media, religious institutions and NGOs.

Alan Dershowitz

Judges are the weakest link in our system of justice, and th

Judges are the weakest link in our system of justice, and they are also the most protected.

Alan Dershowitz

I learn from experience.

I learn from experience.

Alan Dershowitz