Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Makes Rare San Francisco Appearance

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor talked about everything from affirmative action to witchcraft as she addressed a large crowd at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Monday.

She told the audience that being on the Supreme Court is the greatest job she's ever had. It comes with intense pressure to make the right decisions and it keeps her humble too.

"You're not God. Because hopefully, God is more merciful than sometimes you can be as a judge," said Sotomayor. "But more importantly, no matter how good an answer you think you've given, someone is going to feel there is an injustice."

Sotomayor talked about her Puerto Rican grandmother's belief in witchcraft and going from a housing project in the Bronx to Princeton, just two years after the Ivy League school began admitting women.

"Yes I needed help, but once I got there, I worked at it," she said. "And I proved myself worthy."

Sotomayor would not discuss any pending cases, including Proposition 8. The justices will hear oral arguments on the California law in March and rule on its constitutionality by the end of June.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)