• History of the Program
• Description of the Program
• The Cases from Beginning to End
• What Happens After a Host School is Selected?
• Circuit Tips and Rules
• Previous "On Circuit" Visits
• Supreme Court

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. 

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The Cases - From Beginning to End - These links connect to selected cases that the justices have heard and decided as part of the program. 

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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.

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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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