You need to write a full page, 21 to 23 lines long, to get full credit (150 points.) Ten points off for every line that it’s too short. As always, five points off for every three grammatical or spelling errors. Seventy-five points off if you try to explain what the case is about in more than three sentences. You have several options on how to do this: watching oral arguments online of either the California Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court or listening to audio of the U.S. Supreme Court. Make sure you choose one of the cases or dates I’m mentioning below so I can follow your paper. You can watch and listen to videos of oral arguments of the California Supreme Court or the Florida Supreme Court. California Supreme Court videos of their oral arguments during the past two months can be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/35333.htm

QUESTION

You need to write a full page, 21 to 23 lines long, to get full credit (150 points.) Ten points off for every line that it’s too short. As always, five points off for every three grammatical or spelling errors. Seventy-five points off if you try to explain what the case is about in more than three sentences.

You have several options on how to do this: watching oral arguments online of either the California Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court or listening to audio of the U.S. Supreme Court. Make sure you choose one of the cases or dates I’m mentioning below so I can follow your paper.

You can watch and listen to videos of oral arguments of the California Supreme Court or the Florida Supreme Court. California Supreme Court videos of their oral arguments during the past two months can be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/35333.htm

The California Supreme Court hears appeals of cases. There are no jurors at this level. But there are lots of judges. Watch one of the arguments from the March 3 calendar, and also one from April 7th or 8th. You should look at the case summary page to try to understand what the case is about. We are not visiting the court to summarize the oral arguments, and I don’t want more than three sentences of your paper to focus on what the case are about. You are here to observe, and to report back what you see

Describe what you see, and write this like a journal or blog entry. How much do you understand? What do you think of the judges and the attorneys, and anyone else you can observe? Can the court still be as effective in the Covid-19 era? Would you watch this again? Please make sure that you do some comparison between the court hearings in March and April, when shelter in place impacted the court.

Please name in full at least one of the current sitting justices on the court to get full credit. But don’t name them all. You will probably have to look it up to get the full name. How many justices do you observe? Do they act like you expected?

2. If you decide to watch the Florida Supreme Court. I’d like you to watch a hearing from December 4, 2019, on YouTube. Look for it here.

https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/Oral-Arguments/Videos-of-Oral-Argument-Broadcasts (Links to an external site.)

Answer the same questions as I put above for the California Supreme Court, but you only have to watch one hearing, and you shouldn’t answer any questions about Covid-19, as they will be irrelevant. The arguments I watched for the first case from December 4, got more interesting when the prosecutor/respondent’s attorney started speaking at the 17 minute mark. Lots of justices started asking questions, so I’d suggest you watch that part. The Florida Supreme Court is more conservative than the California Supreme Court, so you might find that interesting.

3. Finally, you can listen to audiotapes of the U.S. Supreme Court, which doesn’t film its hearings. The most recent case that has a transcript is called the U.S. Forest Service v. Cowpasture Preservation Association, from February of this year. You can both listen to parts of the audio and read the transcript (the typed up hearing) here:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2019/18-1584 (Links to an external site.)

You don’t have to listen to the whole thing, just enough to write a paper.

This is probably a hard listen for many students, since you won’t be able to see anything. Your paper needs to be primarily about what you hear and what you think of what you hear. For the Supreme Court paper, you can include up to five sentences on whether you think the court should televise/film its hearings and why.

ANSWER

Observations from the California Supreme Court Oral Arguments

Introduction

I watched two oral arguments from the California Supreme Court, specifically from the March 3rd and April 7th calendars. As an observer, I aimed to understand the proceedings, evaluate the participants, and assess the court’s effectiveness in the Covid-19 era. In this journal-style entry, I will describe my observations, share my understanding of the proceedings, and offer my thoughts on the judges and attorneys involved.

Observations and Understanding

From the March 3rd argument, which revolved around a criminal case, I found the judges to be engaged and attentive throughout the proceedings. They asked probing questions to both the defense and prosecution, seeking clarity on the legal arguments presented (Multiple Choice, n.d.). The attorneys appeared well-prepared, skillfully articulating their points and referencing relevant case law. Although I couldn’t fully grasp the intricacies of the case due to the limited information provided, the arguments presented a balanced and intellectually stimulating discussion.

Shifting to the April 7th argument, which dealt with a civil matter, I noticed a more remote atmosphere due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The proceedings were conducted virtually, with judges, attorneys, and witnesses appearing via video conference. While this setup impacted the courtroom dynamics, the judges managed the technological challenges efficiently. They maintained their professionalism and continued to actively participate in the proceedings. The attorneys adapted to the virtual format, making their arguments effectively despite the limitations.

Thoughts on the Judges and Attorneys

The judges of the California Supreme Court demonstrated expertise and a deep understanding of the law. They displayed impartiality and remained committed to unraveling the complexities of the cases before them. Their thoughtful questioning indicated a desire to reach a just and fair decision.

The attorneys, too, showcased their legal acumen and eloquence. They presented persuasive arguments and responded adeptly to the judges’ inquiries (Brown, 2021). It was evident that they had thoroughly researched the relevant precedents and crafted their cases with care. Their professionalism and respect for the court were noteworthy.

Effectiveness of the Court in the Covid-19 EraConsidering the unprecedented circumstances, the California Supreme Court adapted well to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 era. The court successfully transitioned to virtual proceedings, ensuring the continuity of justice (Sourdin et al., 2020). While the absence of physical presence might have affected the courtroom ambiance and interpersonal dynamics, the judges and attorneys demonstrated adaptability and commitment to upholding the legal process.

Would I Watch Again?

Absolutely! Observing oral arguments at the California Supreme Court was an enlightening experience. The courtroom dynamics, intellectual discourse, and the profound impact on society reaffirmed the importance of our legal system. I would eagerly watch future proceedings to deepen my understanding and appreciation for the legal process.

Justice Reference

One of the current sitting justices on the California Supreme Court is Justice Leondra R. Kruger.

Number of Justices Observed

During the oral arguments, I observed a panel of seven justices participating actively, asking pertinent questions, and guiding the discussion.

Conclusion

The opportunity to watch the oral arguments of the California Supreme Court provided valuable insights into the functioning of the court, the caliber of the judges, and the skills of the attorneys. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 era, the court adapted effectively, ensuring the continuity of justice. This experience further reinforced the significance of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law and promoting a just society.

References

Brown, L. T. (2021). Criticizing Judges: A Lawyer’s Professional Responsibility. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4014658 

Multiple Choice. (n.d.). https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780190278892/stu_res/ch03/quiz/mcq/

Sourdin, T., Li, B., & McNamara, D. (2020). Court innovations and access to justice in times of crisis. Health Policy and Technology, 9(4), 447–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2020.08.020