Nine oral arguments will be heard throughout the course of the three-day term with afternoon sessions reserved for written appellate briefs – non-oral arguments. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases each day. Booklets with schedules and a synopsis of each case, along with biographical information on the Justices and a short summary of the appellate procedure, are available for persons attending any of the Court's sessions.

A schedule of oral arguments, including briefs about each appellant and appellee, can be found at www.usd.edu/law/SDSC2009cases.cfm. Some of the cases scheduled to be heard include State v. Klaudt, 9 a.m., March 23; Guthrie v. Weber, 10 a.m., March 23; McGuire v. Curry and Park Jefferson Speedway, Inc./Mollet, 11 a.m., March 24; Klutmans v. Sioux Falls Storm, 10 a.m., March 25; and State v. Blackburn, 11 a.m., March 25.

"The Supreme Court's annual visit provides our students with a great educational experience to see the appellate process in action, and it's an extraordinary opportunity for us to 'welcome home' five alumni leaders of the School of Law," stated Barry Vickrey, dean of the School of Law.

All five members of the South Dakota Supreme Court, Chief Justice David Gilbertson (’75) and Justices John Konenkamp (’74), Steven Zinter (’75) and Judith Meierhenry (’77), are graduates of the USD School of Law. Newly appointed Justice Glen Severson (’75) is also a graduate of the USD School of Law. Severson was appointed to the state’s highest court last month by Gov. Mike Rounds. Severson replaces retired Justice Richard Sabers, who earned his degree from The U’s School of Law in 1966.

The justices have extended an invitation to the public to attend any of the Court's sessions. To assist with the Supreme Court visit, persons in attendance must abide by proper courtroom etiquette: no hats worn in the courtroom; no food, drink or smoking in the courtroom; no cameras of any type are allowed in the courtroom; and anyone making noise or disrupting the Court will be asked to leave. The South Dakota Supreme Court employs security methods to insure the well-being of all who attend its proceedings. All attending the court sessions will be requested to pass through a metal detector. Backpacks, book bags, and other bags and purses are subject to inspection by security personnel.

For more information about the South Dakota Supreme Court’s annual visit to USD, please go to www.usd.edu/law/SDSCvisit.cfm, or contact Associate Dean of the USD School of Law Tom Sorensen at [email protected] or (605) 677-5393.

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