Utah Court of Appeals to Hear Cases on USU Eastern Campus

PRICE, Utah — The Utah Court of Appeals will hear cases on the Utah State University Eastern campus in Price. The special oral argument sessions, which are open to the general public and USU community, will be on March 18 in the Geary Theater.

Associate Presiding Judge Ryan M. Harris, Judge Amy J. Oliver, and Judge John D. Luthy, a USU alumnus, will hear two cases, beginning at 10 a.m. Following the two hearings, the judges will hold a question-and-answer session with community members. The event is being organized by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, and the Utah State Institute of Government and Politics.

“The USU Eastern Criminal Justice program is excited to host the Utah Court of Appeals, giving our students and the local community an opportunity to experience the appellate court in action,” said Jason Marshall, senior lecturer and program coordinator of Criminal Justice, who helped organize the special session.

The Utah Court of Appeals is the second highest court in the state and hears cases on appeal from Utah’s district and juvenile courts, also known as trial courts. In cases involving only Utah law, the Utah Supreme Court is the only court to which their decisions can be appealed. Each case adjudicated by the Utah Court of Appeals is heard by a panel of three judges selected from seven judges who staff the court.

“USU’s Institute of Government and Politics is grateful to the Utah Court of Appeals for bringing to students, faculty and community members the opportunity to learn firsthand about Utah’s Judicial Branch of government,” said Jennifer Seelig, IOGP director. “Knowledge of how the courts operate is essential to cultivating a responsible, transparent and high-functioning government and an active citizenry.”

During the special session in USU Eastern’s Geary Theater, the court will hear arguments for two criminal appeals: State v. Christensen, 20230033-CA; and State v. Millet, 20230449-CA.

The special oral argument sessions are open to the broader USU community and to the public. Attendees do not need to stay for the entirety of proceedings but are asked to be respectful of the court as they come and go from the event.

For those unable to attend the event in person, the session will also be available to view via USU Eastern Live (eastern.usu.edu/live).

Located in picturesque Price, Utah State University Eastern provides the best of both worlds for students­– the personalized attention and small student-to-faculty ratio of a small-town college, with the educational opportunities and resources of a large university. USU Eastern boasts student government opportunities, clubs and programs like theater, choir, and the award-winning student newspaper “The Eagle”, as well as its own athletic program. USU Eastern provides personal or professional development training, technical education in Health Professions, Technical Careers and Business, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees and certificates of proficiency. Learn more at eastern.usu.edu