Hear constitutional questions argued at a Kansas Court of Appeals session in Lawrence
“Judge Judy” fans might not be interested, but if you’re curious to hear lawyers argue real constitutional issues in real court cases, the Kansas Court of Appeals has an event for you.
On Sept. 22 at the University of Kansas, a three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear five cases in sessions beginning at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Attorneys for each side will present arguments, and the judges will pose questions to them.
The special venue, Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union, is part of the court’s commemoration of Constitution Day during September, when it schedules dockets at Kansas colleges and universities. Constitution Day is Thursday; Sept. 17 marks the anniversary of the day in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution.
“The cases we will hear at KU were chosen because we think they present interesting constitutional issues for students,” said Judge Steve Leben in a statement. “The constitutional rights we all share are tested daily in America’s courts in cases like these.”
At 12:30 p.m., the University of Kansas School of Law will hold an “Ask the Judges” forum in the auditorium with Leben and the other appeals judges, Patrick D. McAnany and Michael B. Buser.
The cases include questions surrounding a search of cellphone texts; a claim that the constitutional right to a jury trial had been violated; and an appeal that trial information led a jury to a conviction based on weak and circumstantial evidence.
The judges will consider the cases after the hearings and issue written decisions, typically within 60 days.
To reach Edward M. Eveld, call 816-234-4442 or send email to eeveld@kcstar.com. On Twitter @eeveld.
This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Hear constitutional questions argued at a Kansas Court of Appeals session in Lawrence."