This is the sight you are greeted with when you arrive at the courtroom for oral argument at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The Appellant sits to the right; the Respondent sits to the left. There are 3 judges seated at the arched front table. The presiding judge sits in the middle.
Oral argument is precarious because the first, and only, time you appear before the assigned judges for this case is at argument. Subsequent to the submission of briefs, the judges' clerks have scrutinized the facts, law, and arguments to aid the judges in their preparation for argument. The judges are extremely well versed on the law of the case and have questions ready. Last Thursday while at argument, the first question came from the bench about 10 seconds into the oral argument. You have to be ready!
The Court of Appeals hears appeals from every county - Washington, Saint Louis, Stearns, and the like. What they are concerned with is the law of the State of Minnesota. The colloquial elements that may impact the outcome of a trial or hearing at the district court level are generally lost at the appellate level.
I suspect the great minority of people have ever seen the inside of a courtroom, even less have seen a courtroom at the Court of Appeals. I think it is elegant, classic, and respectful. I hope you enjoy the view.
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