Alabama Supreme Court Takes Center Stage at UNA!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity citizens! The Alabama Supreme Court recently brought its courtroom drama to the University of North Alabama, turning the Guillot University Performance Center into a hub of legal action!

Court in Session

Students, professors, and staff got a front-row seat to see how justice gets served in the great state of Alabama. The court convened to hear oral arguments in a case involving a Walker County deputy chasing a motorcyclist – a real-life chase scene with questions of immunity thrown into the mix! This amazing event was all thanks to UNA’s Office of the General Counsel. This marks only the second time ever that the state's highest court has graced UNA with its presence.

Setting the Scene

Picture this: the judicial bench assembled on stage, facing the petitioner and respondent tables. The auditorium was packed! Students and faculty filled the stadium seating, while local judges, attorneys, sheriffs, university officials, and other VIPs occupied reserved seats on the floor. It was a legal who's who!

Arguments and All

Both sides were given 20 minutes to plead their cases, complete with a high-tech countdown timer indicated by green, yellow, and red lights. Chief Justice Sarah Stewart kicked things off with an overview at 10 a.m., followed by introductions from each justice. Then, bam! The arguments began, complete with probing questions and requests for clarifications from the justices.

All Wrapped Up!

The hearing concluded around 11 a.m. But the day didn't end there! UNA student leaders got to rub elbows with the justices at lunch, and the justices even took a campus tour! Plus, university officials threw a swanky reception and dinner the night before. Bonus points: Alabama Justice Greg Cook is a Florence native!