TALLAHASSEE – United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia visited the Florida State University College of Law on Thursday, April 8. Justice Scalia met with faculty members and friends of the law school during an informal reception and also addressed members of the student body. 

During his presentation, Justice Scalia discussed his belief in originalism and an “enduring” United States Constitution. “Originalism is nothing new; it used to be orthodoxy,” stated Justice Scalia. He also argued against the idea of the Constitution as “a living document.” 

“The Constitution is not an organism, it is a legal text,” remarked Justice Scalia. “Its whole purpose is to be a rock.” 

More than 400 people were in attendance to hear Justice Scalia’s presentation. Guests who attended the events included United States District Judge Robert Hinkle, of the Northern District of Florida, Florida Supreme Court Justices Charles T. Canady, Jorge Labarga and Ricky Polston, several judges from the Florida First District Court of Appeal, Florida Solicitor General Scott Makar and Florida State University Board of Trustees Chairman Wm. Andrew Haggard. 

“Everyone at Florida State Law was thrilled to welcome Justice Scalia to our campus,” said Dean Don Weidner. “This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet and hear from a major figure in American law.”