Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Court of Appeals will hear a full docket of cases Tuesday, Sept. 16, on Kansas State University's Manhattan campus as part of the U.S. Constitution Observance Day. The court hearings, which start at 9 a.m. in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union, are free and the public is welcome to drop by anytime.

As a federally funded educational institution, Kansas State University celebrates Constitution Observance Day every year with a series of educational events.

A three-judge panel, Chief Judge Thomas E. Malone, Judge Henry W. Green Jr. and Judge Michael B. Buser, will hear the cases.

"It is important for students to appreciate and understand their rights and responsibilities under our Constitution," said Daralyn Gordon Arata, pre-law adviser. "It also is an election year and an informed electorate is important to our collective well-being."

The Kansas Court of Appeals is an appellate court, which is the state's first level of appeal. Six court cases will be called: City of Marysville v. Matthew Dale Sain at 9 a.m.; State of Kansas v. John Elmer Goodpasture at 9:45 a.m.; in the matter of marriage of Steven Dickson v. Lucyl Dickson at 10:30 a.m.; State of Kansas v. Scott Janssen at 1 p.m.; State of Kansas v. Wendell Parrish at 1:45 p.m.; and State of Kansas v. Gregory Michael Nece at 2:30 p.m. More information about the cases is available at http://www.k-state.edu/prelaw/events/constitutionday.html.

"This is an unique opportunity to watch cases being argued by attorneys from around Kansas, including several from Riley County," Arata said. "These cases cover interesting issues found under the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth amendments of the Constitution."

Kansas State University will mark U.S. Constitution Observance Day with additional activities on Monday, Sept. 15. The judges will speak to the Constitutional Law Class at 1:30 p.m. The Pre-Law Club will host a reception for students to meet with the Kansas Court of Appeals judges at 3:30 p.m. in the Union's Cottonwood Room. Following the Pre-Law Club reception, the judges will meet with members of the Riley County Bar Association for a reception and dinner at the Wahoo Fire and Ice Grill.