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The Arkansas Supreme Court will bring its caseload to Arkansas State University on April 2 as part of Appeals on Wheels, a biannual program that takes the state’s highest court on the road to hear oral arguments before university and high school audiences.
The event will be held on campus from 9:45 a.m. until noon and is free and open to the public. Justices will hear arguments in real cases and participate in breakout sessions with attendees afterward.
“Rather than learning about the courts from a textbook or the media, students will see a real case argued before the Arkansas Supreme Court,” said Dr. Stacy Dewald, assistant professor of criminology at A-State, who coordinated the visit.
It will be the first time the court has visited the Jonesboro campus since 2011.
Dewald said she reached out to the court to bring the program to A-State as part of her focus on experiential learning and community outreach.
“Hosting Appeals on Wheels allows us to connect academic learning with real-world practice while also serving the broader Jonesboro community,” Dewald said.
In addition to observing oral arguments, attendees will have the chance to meet justices in smaller breakout settings.
“Students will have the opportunity to meet the justices in a more intimate setting,” Dewald said. “Those conversations can make the legal system feel more accessible and real.”
Dewald said she hopes the event gives students a clearer picture of the appellate process and potential career paths in law and public service.
“Whether you are interested in law, government, public service, or simply want to better understand how decisions are made at the state level, this event offers a front-row seat to democracy in action,” Dewald said.
Appeals on Wheels is held twice a year at universities and high schools across the state. The program is designed to increase public understanding of how the appellate court functions.
