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History of the Program
The
Connecticut
Appellate Court, began its “On Circuit” program in 1996,
when it visited Quinnipiac College School Of Law. The Court
modeled this program after the Supreme Court On Circuit program
established by the Supreme Court in 1986. The purpose of this
program is 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.
Since
1996, the
Appellate Court has traveled to high schools and universities throughout the
state.
Description of the Program
The Appellate Court On Circuit program
provides high school and college students 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 about the roles 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
to both understand the appellate 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 opinon 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.
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What Happens After a School is Selected?
Once the
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, weapons, food and
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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Recent Cases Heard
On Circuit - These links connect to
selected cases that the
judges have heard and decided as part of the program:
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State v. Marshal
Westhill High
School, Stamford, October 25, 2011
Non-legal Summary
Decision
Patrick Wood v. Club, LLC, et all
Westhill High School, Stamford, October 25,
2011
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Holloway
Kent School, May 18,
2009
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Bareis
Kent School, May 18, 2009
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Gainey
Bassick High School,
April 30, 2009
Non-legal Summary
Decision
Swanson v. Groton
Bassick High School,
April 30, 2009
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Barnes
Norwich Free Academy,
October 22, 2008
Non-legal Summary
Decision
Costanzo v. Gray
Norwich Free Academy,
October 22, 2008
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Khuth
University of
New Haven, September 24, 2008
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Walters
University of New
Haven, September 24, 2008
Non-legal Summary
Decision
Murphy v. Lord Thompson Manor
Wilby High School, November 28, 2007
Non-legal Summary
Decision
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Sokaitis v. Bakaysa
Wilby High
School, November 28, 2007
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Arroyo
Manchester Community
College, April 19, 2007
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Etienne
Manchester Community College, April 19, 2007
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Russell
Ansonia High
School, October 27, 2006
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Collins
Ansonia High
School, October 27, 2006
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Santiago
Wilbur Cross
High School, October 12, 2006
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Wells
Wilbur Cross
High School, October 12, 2006
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. Fasano
Western
Connecticut State University, October 28, 2004
Non-legal Summary
Decision
Raudat v. Leary
Western
Connecticut State University, October 28, 2004
Non-legal Summary
Decision
State v. DiPaolo
Western
Connecticut State University, October 28, 2004
Non-legal Summary
Decision
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