In honor of Constitution Day, the Nebraska Court of Appeals will be in session on the campus of the University of Nebraska - Omaha (UNO) on Friday, September 15, 2023.

The six Court of Appeals judges will divide into their customary morning and afternoon panels with three judges per session. Morning arguments begin with an introductory presentation at 9:30 a.m. and afternoon court starts at 1:00 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center on the Omaha campus.

Chief Judge Mike Pirtle of Omaha will preside over the morning panel, and Judge Riko Bishop, who represents the Appellate Court’s District 1 in Lincoln, will preside in the afternoon. 

The initiative, designed by judges of the Court of Appeals, is intended to allow Nebraskans – particularly college and high school students – to learn about the judicial branch. 

The Court of Appeals will hear two cases each session, followed by questions and answers from students. Students are given detailed descriptions of each case to assist in understanding the legal arguments. UNO students and government classes from area high schools will be in attendance. All argument sessions, whether held in the Court of Appeals Courtroom or outside the State Capitol, are open to the public. 

The Nebraska Court of Appeals is the state’s second-highest court and reviews appeals from state trial court decisions. A Nebraska Court of Appeals decision is final unless the Nebraska Supreme Court granted further review. 

NOTE:

To make arrangements for student groups to observe Court of Appeals oral arguments on September 15, 2023, during either the morning or afternoon session, please email Maggie Killeen at the Nebraska State Bar Foundation.

For information on audio recordings of oral argument sessions at Midland or about the Court of Appeals traveling oral arguments, email Janet Bancroft.

Online information regarding the Court of Appeals may be found on the Judicial Branch Website.