The Illinois Supreme court heard oral arguments on two cases today at SIU. The Simmons Law school hosted the event as part of high court’s tradition of “riding the circuit” throughout Illinois.
The Illinois Supreme Court marshal gaveled in the proceedings for the first time ever at SIU. The supreme court was hearing arguments for two cases. One centered around a sentencing question and the other was meant to determine if a mother could sue someone who allegedly provided money and assistance in an abduction.
More than 900 people filled the SIU student center to be part of the hearings. SIU officials, area judges, and local lawyers made up part of the audience. Angela Upchurch is the Simmons law school’s acting dean. She was excited for the law school and area high school students to have this unique experience, "As an educator, I was really hoping that some of our students might be inspired to go into law or politics. Perhaps they observed the marshal and dream big so that they can become part of the community."
Sheraya Bernard is a second year law student at SIU. Prior to the hearing, she and three of her law school classmates explained the legal process works and what people could expect from the event. In addition to helping others learn she was excited for the experience, "The attorneys were wonderful. They were asked questions they didn't necessarily prepare for because they didn't know those specific questions would get asked. Then they provided a concise argument."
Bradley Weisshaar was another one of the students helping prepare the audience. After reading and studying the judicial process, he was eager to see the supreme court in action, "We read case after case, whether it's the United States Supreme Court of the Illinois Supreme Court, that it's real people who make these decisions."
Bernard was excited to make her own real life connections as she watched the lawyers work, "A lot of what they're arguing, I have learned and I am learning. It was great to get context to what I'm learning in class."
Those in attendance may have already made up their mind after today’s hearing, but it will be a little while until they find out if they had the same opinions as the court. The court will release their opinion in the next few months.
