I think we're at, 99 percent of criminal cases are disposed of with some sort of guilty plea.

Senator Kennedy and I supported and were responsible for the passage of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003.

The whole American legal system... is to me based on a belief that truth is ascertainable, there is some objectivity.

I am very pleased to be here to join in supporting him.

I doubt that you should move the office. Second, I would charge you that you have got to protect the integrity of that office.

It does mean a lot to us that Senators, I think, take seriously their responsibility to review nominees.

I think there is great wisdom in those guidelines.

I would be duty-bound by my oath and by the doctrine of stare decisis to apply the law.

Empirical research generally does not support the allegation that immigrants are involved in criminal activity to a greater degree than the native population.

I believe you were here when all that occurred, working with Senator Biden.

I also would give substantial deference and great respect to the guidelines.

These are important hearings, and I look forward to participating in it.

Today's nominees have been nominated for a lifetime appointment.

Just to thank you for allowing me to spend more time than normal asking questions, and you and Senator Leahy have been good on that and allowed the questioning to go as long as appropriate.

There are enduring terms and text in the Constitution that remain firm and fixed for all time unless amended pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution.

We want judges who have the ability, the integrity, the experience to make good decisions.

I think you're right. I think even in cases of first impression, if a judge looks carefully, there is some body of authority that can help them reach an objective decision.

This is, I think, a matter of national security since Abdulmutallab is associated with al Qaeda with whom we are at war.

I was able to work on legislation and get language in that said anyone 'a part of al Qaeda at the time of the alleged offense was per se an unprivileged criminal combatant, enemy combatants, subject to military commissions and indefinite…

One of the things we learned from the 9/11 Commission is that intelligence saves lives, and we need to gather intelligence.

I do not agree that the hospital has anything to do with it. He was in our custody.

Isn't it true that when the Inspector General's preliminary report came out on the exigent letter issue... you accepted responsibility and you announced a number of reforms?

I do not think you can say it is appropriately. We do not know what that individual learned while he was working with al Qaeda.

When you bring somebody into custody and you ask them a question, you have to give me Miranda except under extraordinary circumstances.

I heard somebody on a talk show the other day who said he was born here, his family is from Lebanon, but he keeps getting stopped.