Southeastern to host First Circuit Court of Appeal Nov. 6-7


Friday, October 31, 2014
by: Rene Abadie

HAMMOND – The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal will hold oral arguments Nov. 6-7 on the Southeastern Louisiana University campus.

Scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. each day, oral arguments will be held in the Student Union Theatre located in the university's War Memorial Student Union.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Proper attire is required, (no shorts or sandals), and cell phones and backpacks are prohibited.

While domiciled in Baton Rouge where hearings are normally held, the First Circuit occasionally travels to other locations within the district as part of its educational outreach, said William Robison, head of the Department of History and Political Science and one of the coordinators of the visit.

Robison explained Judge James E. Kuhn of Ponchatoula, a member of the court's panel, has played a major role in making the hearings possible. A 1968 graduate of Southeastern, Judge Kuhn is a former part-time lecturer in political science at Southeastern. Other judges on the panel include Judge John T. Pettigrew of Houma and Judge Jewel E. "Duke" Welch of Baton Rouge.

The practice of "riding circuit" was reinstated by the First Circuit in the early 1990s. The court has met several times in the past at Southeastern, as has the Louisiana State Supreme Court.

"These are real court proceedings and the judicial sessions provide a truly great learning opportunity for our students and individuals in the surrounding communities to see justice in action," said Robison. "While it is especially relevant for those studying for a career in law enforcement and those planning to attend law school, it should be interesting for anyone who is a concerned citizen of our state and our nation."




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