REPORT FROM THE JUDICIARY – The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Thursday, December 6, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Henry Perrine Baldwin High School auditorium before an audience of approximately 470 students from Baldwin High School, Kamehameha Schools, King Kekaulike High School, Lahainaluna High School, Maui High School, Seabury Hall and St. Anthony School.
This is believed to be the first time that the Hawaii Supreme Court will convene on Maui to hear a case since the mid-1800s, and the second oral argument to be held under the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community program. The program is part of the Judiciary’s outreach efforts to educate students and the general public about the Judiciary’s role in government and its function in resolving disputes in a democratic society.
The court will hear State v. Cramer. A brief case description and summary of the issues on appeal may be viewed on the Judiciary’s website.
To prepare for the oral argument, the participating juniors and seniors from each school are studying a curriculum developed by the Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center and the Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education of the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law. The students’ study will culminate in a moot court activity facilitated by members of the Maui County Bar Association. Support for bringing the students to and from Baldwin High School and providing their lunches has been provided by the Hawaii State Bar Association.
The oral argument is open to the public and the media. Photographing and filming the faces of the students in the audience will not be allowed. A few students will be available for on-camera interviews outside at the front of the auditorium after the argument.
Media desiring to film or photograph the argument should ensure that an extended coverage application has been filed with the Chief Clerk’s Office. Only one media outlet need apply. The requirement that media pool coverage from one video camera or one still camera will be waived for this case.
The oral argument will be followed by two separate question-and-answer sessions for the students; one with the attorneys and another with the five justices. The question-and-answer sessions will not be open to the media or the public.
The doors to the auditorium will open at 9:00 a.m. Access to other areas of the campus during school hours will not be permitted without proper authorization. Free public parking is available at the War Memorial Gym adjacent to Baldwin High School. Drivers should enter the parking lot via Kanaloa Avenue.