JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 12, 2016 — The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Middle Section will hold court at 51社区 Feb. 16 in Harvey Auditorium in the Barefoot Student Union Building.
The court is a three-judge panel that hears appeals from criminal convictions in the circuit courts in the West Tennessee area. This will be the first time for Union to host the court.
鈥淭he judges want college students and others who otherwise do not have the opportunity to see how the system works to see it firsthand,鈥� said Greg Jordan, professor of business law and ethics at Union. 鈥淭he issues are technical and many times involve constitutional concerns. Lawyers for the convicted criminals appear and argue the issues they have previously raised in their appellate briefs.鈥�
The lawyers will have a limited amount of time to make their points. The judges will ask the lawyers questions and challenge them on the issues. At the end of each case, the judges will file out and the lawyers will address any questions from the audience.
The first case will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the second case at 10:30. Lunch will begin at 11:30, followed the third case at 1:30 and the fourth case at 2:30.
The lunch break is designed to allow anyone from the audience who wants to have lunch with the judges and ask questions about the law, crimes, law school and law practice. Students and others will obtain their lunches as usual and meet the judges in Coburn for an informal question-and-answer session from 11:30-1:30.
Court rules will be followed. No entering and exiting will be allowed during each case, and food, drinks and electronic devices are prohibited. The appellate clerk will begin and end each session.
鈥淚t should be a very interesting and educational experience,鈥� Jordan said. 鈥淎nyone who wants to is invited to attend.鈥�