CT State Supreme Court On the Road, Again

The Connecticut Supreme Court will hear arguments in two criminal cases on Wednesday, Oct. 16, but not at the Court building on Capital Avenue in Hartford.  The session will convene for two cases on the campus of the University of Hartford.   

The visit is part of the Supreme Court’s “On Circuit” program, which provides students, educators, and the public with a greater understanding of the appellate process.  Volunteer attorneys prepare synopses of the assigned appeals and meet with students before the day’s oral arguments to discuss the issues to be argued before the Court.

“Without a doubt, one of the highlights for the Supreme Court is the On Circuit program, and we anticipate another successful event this year,” said Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson. “This will be the first time we have heard arguments at the University of Hartford, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to educate students about the appellate process. 

Since the program began in 1986 under the leadership of then-Chief Justice Ellen A. Peters, the court has heard arguments at several universities and colleges.  Over the years, hundreds of students have watched these arguments and participated in a question-and-answer period with the arguing attorneys and moderators following the arguments.

The court session will convene in the university’s Lincoln Theater on campus.  The first argument will start at 10 a.m.; the second case is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. A 20-minute question-and-answer period with counsel from the case, students, and faculty will follow each argument.   

The first case to be heard, at 10 a.m., is State of Connecticut v. Jasmine Lamantia, from the New London Judicial District’s G.A. 21.  The case involves witness tampering and whether the evidence was sufficient to prove that the defendant intended to induce a witness to testify falsely in an imminent or pending official proceeding (case detail and briefs).

The second case, to be heard at 11:30 a.m., is State of Connecticut v. Thomas William Sawyer, from the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District. The question before the Supreme Court is whether a search warrant affidavit established probable cause to believe that the defendant possessed child pornography and whether Connecticut’s Constitution requires a ‘more probable than not’ standard of proof to establish probable cause for a search (case detail and briefs).

 “This event allows those with specific interests, such as pre-law students, as well as those with a casual interest, to see the court in action.  It is experiential learning at its best, and we are very grateful that the justices chose the University of Hartford as this year’s site to hear arguments,” said Jilda M. Aliotta, Associate Professor in the Department of Politics, Economics & International Studies.

“We want to thank the University of Hartford for its graciousness and assistance in planning the event,” Justice Robinson added, “and also the volunteer attorneys and university faculty who have familiarized the students with the cases and appellate process.”

In 2020, the On Circuit program will bring the Connecticut State Supreme Court to the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University in October.  Since 2010, the Court has convened at Western Connecticut State University, UConn Law School, Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Tolland High School, Fairfield Warde High School, Quinnipiac University School of Law, University of New Haven, and Trinity College.

Those interested in attending on Oct. 16 are urged to allow enough time to clear security upon arrival.  No backpacks will be allowed inside the theater.