by Kelly Rogge
In less than three weeks, Kansas City Kansas Community College will play host to the Kansas Supreme Court as it hears oral arguments in several cases, and the community is encouraged to attend. The visit is in an ongoing outreach effort to familiarize all Kansans with the work the Supreme Court does as well as the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.
The court will be in session from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 in the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave. The court will hear oral arguments in two criminal cases and three civil cases. These include:
• State of Kansas v. Michael Trevon Lewis
• In the Matter of the Estate of Kenneth Lee Butler, deceased
• State of Kansas v. Darren Knox
• Jeremy A. Wiles v. American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC)
• Jenna S. Cheney v. Zachary Poore
Briefs filed by the lawyers representing the parties are available online at www.kscourts.org/Cases-and-Opinions/Traveling-dockets/Supreme-Court-traveling-docket.asp. The summaries and briefs are a good resource for teachers and students attending the event to understand the basic legal questions being argued before the Kansas Supreme Court.
For those planning on coming to the session, it is suggested to arrive before 8:30 a.m. to allow time to get through the security screening. Teachers can also reserve space in the performing arts center by contacting Lisa Taylor at [email protected]. Please include the number of students attending and what time the class will arrive and leave. All talking is prohibited during the oral arguments.
If groups arrive after the proceedings start or if they have to leave early, they are asked to be as quiet as possible when entering and exiting the auditorium. It is also requested that no large bags, purses or backpacks be brought into the performing arts center. Weapons, firearms or electronic devices such as computers, handheld games or tablets are also prohibited. Cell phones must be turned off or put on silence. Absolutely no food or drink is allowed in the auditorium.
For those that cannot watch the court proceedings in person, the oral arguments can be viewed live via web stream, www.kscourts.org/SCLive.asp.
The court started the process of visiting different communities in 2011. Among the communities the court has visited are Pittsburg, Kan., where the court met at Pittsburg State University; Greensburg, Kan., which is remembered for the devastating tornado that swept through the small community in 2007; Salina, Kan. and Wichita, Kan. The court has also held a special session in Overland Park. In each of the locations, the session is open to the public, and the community, especially students from KCKCC and area high schools, is encouraged to attend.