State Supreme C ourt will hold Session at Northwestern State University

The Louisiana Supreme Court will hold court at Northwestern State University to hear oral arguments on four pending cases.  The session is part of an on-going effort to educate and inform students and the general public about the work of the Court.  The session will convene at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 in Magale Recital Hall and will be open to university and high school students, faculty and the public as space is available.
 
The session will be streamed on Northwestern State’s website, nsula.edu.
 
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Catherine Kimball and Northwestern State President Dr. Randall J. Webb jointly announced the convening of the Louisiana Supreme Court, which periodically convenes in venues other than the Supreme Court House in New Orleans and which is known as “riding the circuit.”
 
“We are pleased to be able to hold our court sitting in Natchitoches, one of the first places where the Louisiana Supreme Court held oral arguments,” Kimball said.
 
As Justice Greg Guidry further explained, “March 1, 2013, will mark the bicentennial of the Louisiana Supreme Court. In recognition of this momentous occasion the justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court are ‘riding the circuit’ in Natchitoches.  Before transportation made it possible to travel easily to New Orleans, ‘riding the circuit’ was constitutionally required to make it possible for citizens statewide to have access to justice.  Natchitoches, along with Monroe and Opelousas, was a venue on the circuit and we feel it is symbolically appropriate to return to our former home as we kick-off the celebration of Louisiana Supreme Court’s 200th anniversary.”  Justice Guidry is coordinating the Court’s Bicentennial commemoration.
 
“We place a high priority on civic engagement here at Northwestern and are delighted to host this event,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Randall J. Webb.  “It is especially appropriate for the Court to choose Natchitoches, the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory, as the site of a session that will allow our students and the outlying community the opportunity to witness the state’s highest court in action.”
 
While in Natchitoches, the Justices will also participate in the annual Red Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19 at Trinity Episcopal Church. The Red Mass is a prayer service for individuals in the legal community and law enforcement profession.  Trinity will host a reception following the service.
 
The Louisiana Supreme Court last sat at Northwestern State in 1986.
 
For more information, about the Louisiana Supreme Court visit to Northwestern State visit lasc.org or nsula.edu.