Kansas Supreme Court Holds Public Session at Lansing Middle School on April 23rd
On the evening of Tuesday, April 23rd, the Kansas Supreme Court held a special session at Lansing Middle School, inviting the public to witness oral arguments in two significant cases. The event offered community members a unique opportunity to engage directly with the judicial process. It was covered by Fox4KC, who interviewed Lansing Middle School sixth-grade teacher Ms. Rachel Szmed. Ms. Szmed expressed her appreciation of the event's accessibility to the Lansing community, highlighting the chance for individuals to witness firsthand the decision-making process that impacts real lives. "Not very many people get to witness something like that," Szmed remarked, "and to have it here and accessible to the Lansing community is really truly amazing."
During the session, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases: Appeal No. 124,160 involving Benchmark Property Remodeling, LLC, and Appeal No. 125,318 concerning the State of Kansas versus Zshavon Malik Dotson.
In the first case, Benchmark Property Remodeling, LLC, served as the appellant, while Grandmothers, Inc., Corefirst Bank and Trust, the Kansas Department of Revenue, Robert Zibell, and the State of Kansas stood as appellees. Diane Hastings Lewis represented the appellant, while Christine Caplinger, R. Patrick Riordan, and Adam King acted as counsel for the appellees.
The second case, State of Kansas v. Zshavon Malik Dotson, saw Zshavon Malik Dotson as the appellant and the State of Kansas as the appellee. Peter Maharry represented the appellant, while Clair Kebodeaux and Kris Kobach served as counsel for the appellee.
Following the conclusion of the oral arguments, the justices of the Supreme Court engaged with the public in an informal reception, offering attendees the chance to interact with the esteemed jurists. Thank you to Lansing Educational Foundation, which contributed to the cost of cookies and refreshments at the reception and provided volunteers for the event.
In anticipation of the special session, American Government teacher Mr. Mike Basler of Lansing High School took the initiative to enrich his students' learning experience. Basler arranged for students to meet three distinguished guests from the political and judicial realms: Kansas Supreme Court Justice Dan Biles, Chief Judge of the First District Joan Lowdon, and Kansas House Representative David Buehler. Providing students with firsthand exposure to influential figures in government and law, Basler aimed to reinforce classroom teachings and inspire civic engagement among his students.
The Kansas Supreme Court's visit to Lansing Middle School brought the workings of the judiciary closer to the community and served as an educational opportunity for students and citizens alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the legal system and its impact on society.