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The Connecticut Supreme Court
will travel to Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport on
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, to
hear two cases as part of its annual "Supreme Court on Tour"
program.
The court’s visit to the
community college is part of an ongoing educational initiative
of the Connecticut Judicial Branch to introduce students,
educators and the public to the role and responsibilities of
the state’s appellate court system. The program started in
1986.
"This program is one of the
year’s highlights for the Supreme Court," Chief Justice
William J. Sullivan said. "We know that the students learn a
lot from the experience, and we enjoy providing them the
opportunity to learn something about our appellate courts. We
are especially appreciative of the hospitality extended to us
by Housatonic Community College."
"We’re delighted to host these
sessions of the state Supreme Court," HCC President Janis M.
Hadley said. "They will give Housatonic students the
opportunity to see the appellate court system in action.
"It’s the type of educational
experience that will make their textbook understanding of the
court system come alive," she said.
The justices will hear one
criminal case, State of Connecticut vs. Jose Aviles,
and one civil case, Michael G. Blakeslee vs. Platt Brothers
& Company et al. State vs. Aviles will start at 10
a.m.; the second case is scheduled to begin at noon. The court
will hear both cases in the Performing Arts Center, Room A103,
and the event is open to the public.
Summaries of the cases are accessible through the Judicial
Branch website.
Lawyers involved in the cases
will be available after court for question-and-answer periods.
Volunteer lawyers Benjamin Buckley and Diana Kleefeld will
assist, along with Housatonic Professors Anthony A. Ball and
Samantha Mannion, who are attorneys. News organizations may
record, broadcast, televise and/or photograph all or part of
these question-and-answer periods.
If a news organization wishes
to broadcast, televise, record or photograph the actual
arguments before the court, it must file a written request
with the appellate clerk. The news organization also must send
a certified copy of the written request to each counsel in the
cases. If the request is granted, only one television camera,
still camera and audio system will be allowed into the
arguments. Media organizations will be responsible for
coordinating any pool arrangements. Please see
Section 70-10 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure, Connecticut
Practice Book, for more details.
The following items may not be
brought into the courtroom: cellular telephones, pagers,
radios, laptop computers, cassette players, compact disc
players, DVD players, televisions, recording devices, cameras
and video equipment, boom boxes or any type of musical
listening devices, backpacks, suitcases, duffel bags, etc.,
bladed or pointed items, including but not limited to
umbrellas, nail files, scissors and razors, knives of any
kind, including key chain Swiss Army-type tools, weapons or
dangerous instruments of any type, and food or beverages of
any kind, including but not limited to snacks, candy and gum.
To help the screening process, it is recommended that guests
not bring briefcases, backpacks, pocketbooks or bags.
For further information, please
contact Rhonda Stearley-Hebert, manager of communications,
Connecticut Judicial Branch, at 860-757-2270. |
