Kansas Supreme Court Visits KCKCC

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Kansas Supreme Court held a special session at Kansas City Kansas Community College Oct. 29.

The court heard oral arguments in several cases as part of an ongoing outreach effort to familiarize all Kansans with the work the Supreme Court does as well as the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.

“I speak for the entire court when I say we were thrilled with the enthusiastic reception from faculty and students of the college and area high schools,” said Lawton R. Nuss, chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. “We also deeply appreciate that so many college administrators, faculty and staff went above and beyond their regular duties to welcome us, to replicate our courtroom atmosphere and live webcast the entire session.”

Among the oral arguments the court heard during the session were two criminal cases and three civil cases.

These included:

• State of Kansas v. Michael Trevon Lewis

• In the Matter of the Estate of Kenneth Lee Butler, deceased

• State of Kansas v. Darren Knox

• Jeremy A. Wiles v. American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC)

• Jenna S. Cheney v. Zachary Poore

In addition to faculty, staff and students from KCKCC, area high school students and teachers were invited to observe the Kansas Supreme Court in action. Briefs filed by the lawyers representing the parties were available online prior to the session, providing teachers and students with a resource to understand the basic legal questions being argued before the court.

Prior to the beginning of the session, justices with the Supreme Court attended a Meet and Greet with administrators, faculty and trustees. More than 100 people also attended a luncheon in KCKCC’s Jewell Center in honor of the court’s visit.

“The visit showcased the college as the ‘community’s’ college,” said Brian Bode, chief operations officer for KCKCC. “The justices being in Wyandotte County was great, but by them selecting KCKCC, it showed everyone that we could handle an event of this stature.”

The court started the process of visiting different communities in 2011. Among the communities the court has visited are Pittsburg, Kan., where the court met at Pittsburg State University; Greensburg, Kan., which is remembered for the devastating tornado that swept through the small community in 2007; Salina, Kan. and Wichita, Kan.

The court has also held a special session in Overland Park. In each of the locations, the session is open to the public, and the community, especially students from KCKCC and area high schools, is encouraged to attend.