Appeals Court to Convene at PHS

Court of Appeals to Convene at Poudre High School

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement American Government classes will get a first-hand look at the Colorado Court of Appeals process when judges hear oral arguments in two cases at Poudre High School in March.

A three-judge panel from the Colorado court of Appeals will hear one criminal and one civil case beginning at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, in the PHS auditorium 201 Impala Drive. 

Proceedings begin with opening remarks from attorneys at 10:00 a.m.; questions from the judges will begin at 10:15 as they review briefs on file.  Students will also participate in  question and answer sessions with attorneys and judges. 

A select group of students will talk informally with Judge John R. Webb, Judge David Furman and Judge David J. Richman over lunch. 

“The court has been going to schools for more than 20 years to give students a first-hand look at appeals process and the court system,” explained Jon Sarché, public information coordinator, Colorado State Court Administrator's Office.   “The experience will be as if they were in a normal courtroom.”  

The civil case involves a charter school in Pueblo that sued the school district for more funds to build a building. The court will also hear an appeal in a criminal case involving a man convicted of drug possession who is asking for a new trial due to what he claims was an illegal search and seizure of drugs.  Case documents may be viewed at: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Education/Materials2.cfm

The event is open to the public and the media. No photographers unless approved in advance by the court. 

For more information, contact Sarché at 303-837-3644.  To go, contact Joann Cannon, PHS office manager, at 488-6060.