USD Law School to Host Eighth Circuit Oral Arguments on Oct. 26

The Ninth Circuit isn't the only appellate court to take its show on the road. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on October 26, at the University of South Dakota School of Law.

The three-judge panel doing the honors is Chief Judge William Riley, Judge Roger Wollman, and Judge Arlen Beam, reports the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan.

The panel will hear oral arguments in three cases:

• Christiansen v. West Branch Community School District, a procedural appeal stemming from a dismissed school employee's civil rights claim.
• U.S. v. Thomas, a criminal appeal examining whether a suspect was in custody for Miranda purposes when he made incriminating statements, and whether those statements should be suppressed.
• State of South Dakota v. United States Department of the Interior, a case reviewing Article III standing and Due Process recusal requirements in a Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal land trust dispute.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals hearing will give future litigators and local residents the chance to see the inner-workings of the region's federal appellate court.

"Hosting the Court provides our students a remarkable opportunity to learn issues in federal law, see law in action and observe excellent appellate advocacy skills," USD School of Law Dean Thomas E. Geu said in a statement.

The last time the Eighth Circuit held a hearing at the school was in 1998.

Oral arguments will begin at 10 a.m. in the USD School of Law courtroom. The law school is at the corner of E. Cherry Street and W. Campus Drive. The courtroom is only accessible for the hearing through the southeast entrance off of W. Campus Drive, across from Beacom Hall. The school recommends that attendees do not bring bags and backpacks, as all parcels will be subject to search.

The USD School of Law Courtroom holds approximately 175 people, and seating is available on a first come, first serve basis.

As usual, Eighth Circuit oral arguments are open to the public.

Related Resources:

• Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (US Courts)
• Eighth Circuit Permits Downward Variance Absent Fast Track Program (FindLaw's Eighth Circuit blog)
• Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Hangs by Eleventh Amendment Thread (FindLaw's Eighth Circuit blog)