Students observe Court of Appeals session

The Court of Appeals of Georgia heard oral arguments during an off-site session this spring at the Dahlonega Campus with Judge Sara L. Doyle presiding and joined by panel members Judge Ken Hodges and Judge Jeffrey A. Watkins. The judges held a question-and-answer session for the students following the arguments.

Noting that many individuals will be called for jury with no real understanding of how the case arrived at a jury trial or what might happen after jury service is complete, Valerie Cochran, assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, initially reached out to the court to suggest the event.

"Inviting the court to hear oral arguments here in Dahlonega gave the public a chance to see what an appellate judge does and how cases move past a trial court. It also opened students' eyes to possible careers, not just as attorneys or judges, but as critical support staff and in court management careers," Cochran said.

Defendants, students and members of the UNG community attended the court session in a theater setting, something UNG freshman Erin Grady of Columbus, Georgia, found surprising.

"I went into the Court of Appeals session expecting something a lot different. However, I was not disappointed. I went in expecting us to be more of a direct audience. Rather, they were more oriented to each other. It was almost as if we were not there," Grady, who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice with Peace Officer Standards and Training Council certification, said.

"I really wanted to hear how they would rule, and I ended up learning that they do not make the decision in the same session. I was very impressed by how quick the judges' and lawyers' responses were and how well their statements and questions were explained," Grady said. 

Dawsonville, Georgia, resident June Harmon, a junior pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a forensics concentration, said she attended purely out of curiosity.

"I attended to get court experience and see more of the legal system,” Harmon said. "I thought it was interesting. It gave me a lot of insight into how the Court of Appeals works and how lawyers cooperate with each other and judges. I now have a better ability to navigate the court system."

Harmon added that the experience provided additional insight of what to expect when testifying in the future.

Oral arguments were heard in cases involving a student's suspension from the University of Georgia after a bar fight; a conviction for fleeing from the police after a high-speed chase; and, a dispute between neighbors over a new parking place.