Supreme Court
Upcoming Visit
Quinnipiac University School of Law,
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Supreme Court on Circuit at Quinnipiac University
School of Law, Oct. 19, 2016 - Press Advisory
History of the Program
The
Connecticut Supreme Court, under the leadership of then-Chief Justice
Ellen A. Peters, decided in 1986 that it wanted to provide the public,
especially students, with a better understanding of the appellate process.
Key to this goal was the recognition that, although the Court’s “home”
courtroom in Hartford was always open, visitors rarely had a full
understanding of what transpired there.
Thus began the Supreme Court On
Circuit program, where justices hear cases at other locations, including
Judicial District courthouses, colleges and law schools. Over the years,
hundreds of students have watched these arguments and participated in a
question-and-answer period with the arguing attorneys and moderators
following the arguments.
The
first Supreme Court On Circuit program occurred on Nov. 5, 1986, in Norwich.
Since then, the Supreme Court has traveled to schools and universities
throughout the state.
Description of the Program
The Supreme Court On Circuit program provides students and members of the
public with the opportunity to observe oral arguments in appellate cases.
Each year, the court selects a location where arguments will be heard.
The program’s goal is simple: To educate students and residents of the state
about the role and responsibilities of the appellate system.
Volunteer attorneys often prepare synopses of the assigned
appeals and meet with students before the day’s oral arguments to discuss
the issues to be argued before the Court. Local bar associations and
teaching staff are invaluable during this process, and provide the students
with the background they need both to understand the process and the cases
that will be argued.
Typically, two cases are argued on the day of
the event. After each argument, the attorneys who argued the case usually
participate in a question-and-answer session with the students. Volunteer
attorneys often work with professors and teachers to facilitate the
sessions.
Publishing the opinion takes time because it requires
careful analysis of the law. When released, the decision may be accessed
through the Advance Release
Opinions page on the Judicial Branch website.
The Cases - From Beginning to End
These links connect to selected cases that the justices have heard
and decided as part of the program.
State v. Sheila Davalloo
University of
Connecticut School of Law, October 14, 2015
Case detail and briefs
Decision
Merscorp. Holdings Inc., et al. v. Dannel P. Malloy,
Governor, State of Connecticut, et al.
University of Connecticut School of Law, Oct. 14, 2015
Case detail and briefs
Decision
State v. Thomas F. Bonilla - PDF
Fairfield Warde High School, October 21, 2014
Non-legal summary
Case detail and Briefs
Decision
- PDF
Gregoria Campos, Administratrix of the Estate of Jose Campos et al. v. Robert Coleman et al. - PDF
Fairfield Warde High School October 21, 2014
Non-legal summary
Case detail and Briefs
Decision - PDF |
Dissent - PDF
State v. Robert Eleck
Tolland High School, October 29, 2013
Non-legal Summary
Briefs
Decision - PDF
Roland Todd White v. Mazda Motor of America
Tolland High School, October 29, 2013
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Decision - PDF
State v. Markease Hill - PDF
Wilbur Cross High School, New Haven, October 24, 2012
Non-legal Summary
Briefs
Decision - PDF
State v. Michael Angelo DeMarco - PDF
Wilbur Cross High School, New Haven, October 24, 2012
Non-legal Summary
Briefs
O’Dell v. Kozee - PDF
University of Connecticut School of Law, April 18, 2012
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Stewart v. Watertown - PDF
Western Connecticut
State University, October 19, 2011
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
State v. Altajir - PDF
Western Connecticut State University, October 19, 2011
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
State v. Richards - PDF
Old State House, November 30, 2010
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
State v. Campbell - PDF
Old Judiciary Room, November 30, 2010
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
Hong Pham v. Commissioner of Social Services - PDF
Old State House, November 30, 2010
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
Elaine Albom Braffman et al v. Bank of America - PDF
Old State House, May 26, 2010
Non-legal summary
Appellant Brief | Reply Brief |
Appellee Brief - PDFs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
State v. Boyd
Fairfield University, October 21, 2009
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
Allstate Insurance Co. v. Palumbo
Fairfield University, October 21, 2009;
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Oral Argument
Decision - PDF
State v. Smith
Yale Law School, September 12, 2008
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Decision - PDF
St. Joseph Living Center Inc. v. Town of Windham
Yale Law School, September 12, 2008
Non-legal summary
Briefs
Decision - PDF
What Happens After a Host School is Selected?
Once preliminary arrangements have been made, the Court
works with the school and the local bar association to arrange for volunteer
attorneys to visit the school. The attorneys typically discuss the cases
with the students, and provide an overview of the Connecticut court system.
The court staff also works with the facilities department at the school to
transform the location, for example, the school auditorium, into a courtroom
for the day.
Circuit Tips and Rules
- Security is provided by the Judicial Branch’s judicial marshals. The following items may not be brought into the courtroom: bladed or pointed
items, tools of any kind, weapons, food or beverages.
- To facilitate the screening process, it is recommended that guests not bring briefcases, backpacks or bags.
- The public may attend the arguments.
- Visitors are expected to conduct themselves appropriately during the arguments, that is, no talking or creating disruptions.
- Members of the public may not videotape, photograph or audiotape the proceedings.
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