CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- The South Carolina Supreme Court is holding court in the Lowcountry this week as part of its ongoing effort to educate and familiarize South Carolinians with the state’s judicial system. Dozens of attendees, including current and former attorneys, members of the public, and students, gathered in Capers Hall Auditorium at The Citadel […]
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- The South Carolina Supreme Court is holding court in the Lowcountry this week as part of its ongoing effort to educate and familiarize South Carolinians with the state’s judicial system.
Dozens of attendees, including current and former attorneys, members of the public, and students, gathered in Capers Hall Auditorium at The Citadel on Tuesday to hear lawyers argue cases in front of the five justices.
The high court occasionally hosts arguments outside of Columbia to provide people an opportunity to observe the proceedings. A term was set to be held several years ago in Charleston but was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The scheduled cases — a mix of civil and criminal — are designed to “stimulate critical thought, and give the audience a front-row perspective of the law in action,” according to the court.
James Moore, a trial lawyer arguing one of the cases this week, said he hopes that opening these hearings to the public will improve transparency in the system.
“This is an opportunity for the public to come in and see what the Supreme Court does…so we’re excited to be here,” Moore said.
Highlighting the legal field as a possible career option for students is another reason why the court opts to hold out-of-town arguments, Chief Justice John Kittredge said.
“The main reason we travel is to reach young people and to allow young people to see us in action and get a civics lesson in what the third branch of government is all about,” Kittredge said.
Spectators also had a chance to ask the justices and attorneys questions, which ranged from soliciting advice for future lawyers to queries about bias and case preparation.
Two questions asked by audience members sought to gauge the justice’s attitude toward the state’s controversial process for selecting judges.
South Carolina is one of only two states where the General Assembly picks judges.
This is done through a process in which a panel known as the Judicial Merit Selection Commission screens applicants and then presents a pool of qualified candidates to the full legislature for a vote.
The process has been heavily criticized as giving undue influence to lawyer-legislators and for perceived transparency and accountability issues.
The justices, however, defended the Palmetto State’s method, suggesting that although it is flawed, it is better than the process in some other states where judges are elected by popular vote.
“There is no perfect method of selecting judges,” Kittredge said, adding “We want to be guided by the rule of law and not the vagaries of public opinion.”
In addition to the oral arguments, lawyers from South Carolina Legal Services and Charleston Legal Access were on hand to provide free legal services to people in the community who otherwise may not be able to afford them.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear two more cases at The Citadel on Wednesday, September 11. Those arguments are free and open to the public.