The Judge: The Life and Opinions of Alabama's Frank M. Johnson, Jr.

by Frank Sikora

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the black drive for civil rights, but the changes he sought came largely in legal opinions issued by federal judges. Foremost of these was Frank Minis Johnson Jr., of Montgomery, Alabama, who presided over some of the most emotional hearings and trials of the rights movement—hearings brimming with dramatic and poignant testimony from the black people who cried out for the freedoms that are the legacy of all Americans.

Beginning with Judge Johnson’s coming-of-age in the hill country of Winston County, Alabama, this book covers many of his notable cases: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Rides, school desegregation, the Selma-to-Montgomery march, and the night-rider slaying of Viola Liuzzo, as well as Johnson’s work for prisoners, women, and the mentally ill. Much of the book is comprised of interviews and direct quotes from Johnson himself, making this recounting of Judge Johnson’s life dynamically autobiographical.

340 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

Reviews

[Andy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Johnson was the smart, courageous Federal Judge in Alabama known for his civil rights rulings which were so unpopular in his home state in the fifties and sixties. This biography explains much about him. For example, he was born into a family that had long lived in northwestern Alabama, an area that stayed loyal to the Union during the Civil War and then stayed loyal to the Republican party in the otherwise solid Democrat Alabama. When Eisenhower was elected President it was natural that he appointed one of the relatively few Republican lawyers in the state, one without much of the race baiting baggage of other Alabama lawyers. Though this does not take away from the personal courage and character that Johnson displayed as he issued one unpopular opinion after another.
One strength of the book is that the author's narrative is regularly supplemented with verbatim transcripts of Johnson's court hearings and of interviews Johnson did with the author. This includes the legal challenge to Montgomery's law that forced Blacks to the back of the bus and was the basis of the arrest of Rosa Parks. While not taking anything from the sacrifice and courage of the bus boycott, the book reminds us that it was Johnson's decision that found the law unconstitutional, upheld by the United States Supreme Court, that ended the practice.
Johnson also heard the cases concerning the Freedom riders and march from Selma to Montgomery. His interviews showed that he often did not agree with the marches, his comments reminded me of the disdain that Thurgood Marshall had for Dr King and others for focusing on marching instead of court victories. Yet,Johnson explained he was a follower of the Constitution--and the marches were protected by it albeit with some limitations he found within the Constitution, limitations that rankled the activists.
There is also fascinating discussion of George Wallace throughout the book. Johnson went to law school with him and Johnson's view was that Wallace was not so much a racist as he was a political opportunist. Johnson also details his many frustrations how Wallace repeatedly undid progress and compromise with his political grandstanding.
There is also the personal in this biography, Johnson's love for his wife, his courtroom temperament and sense of fairness and love of fishing. I would have liked a bit more of the personal toll on Johnson as he made decisions that were so unpopular among his neighbors and community, but overall this was a great book

[Rachelfm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of primary source quotes with some interesting new insights into the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, Selma March, murder trial of Viola Liuzzo, and school desegregation cases. Not an activist judge, but a great example of the lonely and razor-thin line a jurist walks in moments of social transformation.

[Diane Nodell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another educational moment with great insight into a Southern Judge who with fairness and absolute respect for the Constitution, impacted our nation during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.
Much of this Biography is written using the Judge's own introspective words.

[Bob Legge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! The book details the life of a judge who issued many of the civil rights rulings in the 50's and 60's. Much of the book is his own words.