The Fourth District Appellate Court will hear oral arguments in two criminal cases on Monday, March 30, 2015 at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Arguments are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the Public Affairs Center, first floor.

"The University of Illinois students and those interested in the law have a unique opportunity to observe oral arguments before the Appellate Court in person", said Chief Justice Rita B. Garman of the Supreme Court of Illinois. "I am extremely pleased UIS is hosting the Fourth District Appellate Court's oral arguments on their campus this spring."

Ordinarily, oral arguments before the Fourth District Appellate Court are heard at the Appellate Courthouse in Springfield. Each year the Fourth District holds arguments at a university. In previous years they have held arguments at Illinois State University in Bloomington/Normal, Quincy University, Danville Area Community College, and Eastern Illinois University. The Court also holds oral arguments annually at the University of Illinois School of Law in Champaign.

Students from several of the university's departments have been invited to attend the oral arguments and interact with the Fourth District Appellate Court justices at a luncheon following the sessions. The Fourth District Appellate Justices who will be hearing the two cases are Presiding Appellate Justice Carol Pope, Justice Thomas R. Appleton, and Justice John W. Turner. Following arguments, the justices will take the cases under advisement and issue their written ruling at a later date. The arguments are open to the public.

The two cases to be heard are both criminal appeals. The first case scheduled at 10 a.m. is People of the State of Illinois v. Cooper, a criminal felony case that originated in the Livingston County Circuit Court. The defendant was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections for the of-fense of aggravated battery to a police officer. People of the State of Illinois v. Smith is set at 11 a.m. This criminal felony appeal concerns the 13 year sentence imposed by the Champaign County Circuit Court after the defendant was convicted of the offense of attempt aggravated arson.

Following the arguments, the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association (ALA), with the Sangamon County Bar Association and the University of Illinois Springfield College of Public Affairs and Administration, are sponsoring a Roundtable Luncheon and Judicial Panel Discussion featuring the Justices of the Fourth District Appellate Court. The panel features six justices of the Fourth District Appellate Court, the Clerk of the Appellate Court, and the court's Research Director. The ALA president will moderate the discussion which will include procedural issues and practical advice to the lawyers who practice before the court. Participating attorneys receive continuing education credit.

"Our court is thrilled to be able to take the appellate process out to the community. My colleagues and I will have the chance to interact with the students and give them an inside glimpse of the work of the appellate court. We look forward each year to this annual event and to spending the day with the students and faculty", said Presiding Justice Carol Pope.