Students Learn More About Appellate Process in 'Appeals on Wheels' at A-State

JONESBORO – Members of the Arkansas Supreme Court were on campus at Arkansas State University on Thursday, April 2, for a biannual stop in Arkansas communities for Appeals on Wheels.

Committed to providing Arkansans with opportunities to see the process up close, the court hears arguments for actual cases. The event was held in Riceland Hall of Fowler Center.  

“I have never witnessed anything like this before, so it was very entertaining to hear how these things kind of take place, like how an appeal goes before the Supreme Court of Arkansas,” said Jada Sumpter, a junior political science pre-law student from West Helena.  

The Supreme Court justices heard an appeal regarding an incident that had taken place in Jonesboro. Following the end of oral arguments in the case, the justices were divided among rooms at Fowler Center to speak with students.

“It’s vital for people to get an opportunity to see their government at work, particularly the judicial branch, because people are less familiar with it than any of the branches,” said Associate Justice Rhonda K. Wood, position seven with the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Students from A-State and five area high schools attended the event.

“I think it is important because you get a firsthand look at how our justice system works and how things play out once you get an appeal or you have any type of legal trouble,” Sumpter added.

“I have been doing this for the last 16 years, and it’s a valuable experience. We are very grateful to the communities for allowing us to do this. If they were not willing to host and provide the support, we could not do it. We are grateful to the community,” Wood continued. 

Appeals on Wheels is held twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. The location of the fall event has not yet been announced.