The Mississippi Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on the MSU campus on Tuesday [Nov. 13], at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. A three-judge panel of the court will convene at the Hunter Henry Center.
Judges will hear a criminal appeal from Neshoba County and a civil appeal from DeSoto County. The Court of Appeals periodically schedules oral arguments on college campuses and occasionally at other locations as a teaching tool for students. It is known as the Court on the Road program.
Judge Larry Roberts noted that the Mississippi Court of Appeals has statutory authority to hear cases in locations other than its Jackson courtrooms. The court uses that authority to convene in places which present educational opportunities.
The oral arguments are open to students and the general public. Judges will answer questions from students after each oral argument, but will not talk about the cases. People wishing to watch the oral arguments are asked to be in their seats 15 minutes before the arguments are scheduled to begin. Each oral argument is expected to last approximately an hour. The appellant and appellee are each allowed 30 minutes.
Judge Roberts said, âThis gives students an opportunity to witness oral arguments in pending cases. It gives students and the general public an opportunity to better understand the judicial system and the function of the appellate courts.â
The Court of Appeals began the Court on the Road program as a part of its regular calendar for oral arguments in 2005. The trip to MSU is an annual event for the court.
Chief Judge Joe Lee this year increased the number of college campus and county courthouse visits.
The oral arguments will not be broadcast via the courtâs Internet web site, since the Court of Appeals is convening a special session away from its camera-equipped courtroom.