Witness Justice in Action - MO Western District Will Hear Cases and Take Questions at LU

MISSOURI COURT OF APPEALS, WESTERN DISTRICT, TO SIT AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

Scruggs Ballroom

March 23, 2011

9:00 am - Noon

               For the second time in its history, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District will convene court at Lincoln University. On Wednesday, March 23, 2011, oral arguments will take place in Scruggs Ballroom beginning at 9:00 a.m.

A three-judge panel consisting of Chief Judge Lisa White Hardwick, Western District Judge James Smart and Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce will listen to arguments in five cases.  The cases are appeals from previously held trials in area circuit courts.  The judges will hear attorneys argue whether the trials had errors, which should cause them to be retried, or the trial court's judgment reversed. The judges will read written arguments before the court session, and may interrupt the attorneys' arguments with questions.

The judges will take a break between cases to answer questions about the court system in Missouri, especially the appellate courts.


"It is important for the Court to convene oral arguments outside of Kansas City," Hardwick said. "This gives individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see.  We hope those attending will gain a better understanding of the Court's function."


           The last time the Western District held court at Lincoln was in April 1998. It convenes regularly at its courthouse in downtown Kansas City, but it also convenes frequently in other locations within the Western District. In the last 19 years, the court has held sessions in Chillicothe, Clinton, Columbia, Gallatin, Huntsville, Independence, Jefferson City, Keytesville, Kirksville, Lexington, Liberty, Linneus, Macon, Marshall, Maryville, Nevada, Platte City, Richmond, St. Joseph, Savannah, Trenton, Tuscumbia and Warrensburg.  The Western District consists of 45 counties in central and western Missouri.

                For additional information, please contact Dr. Amy Gossett at 681-5220 or by e-mail atgossetta@lincolnu.edu<mailto:gossetta@lincolnu.edu>