UA News

The public is welcome to watch as the Arizona Supreme Court listens to oral arguments in two cases.

Arizona Supreme Court justices will visit The University of Arizona on Wednesday to hear two cases.

The two-hour proceeding is not only for lawyers and law students – members of the campus community and the public are welcome to sit in and listen.

The court welcomes participation. The proceedings are occasionally held on campus in an effort to improve public access and understanding about how the court operates.

Justices will hear oral arguments beginning at 9 a.m. in the Picaso v. Tucson Unified School District case, followed by the State of Arizona v. Gary Edward Cox case.

Both cases will be heard at Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd., and there is no cost to attend.

The first case involves the death of Juan Picaso’s 14-month-old son, Benjamin, who was fatally struck by a TUSD bus in front of his family’s home in 2001, according to court documents.

The same documents said a lower court instructed the jury that negligence caused the child's death and the jury returned a verdict for the school district. The boy's family moved for a new trial in the lawsuit, which was then denied and later appealed.

The second case involved a 2004 traffic stop that led to Gary Edward Cox being arrested on three counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited possessor, court documents show. Cox argued that he was unaware that the weapons were in his vehicle at the time the stop was made.

During his trial, Cox requested a judgment of acquittal, but the trial court denied the request and a jury convicted him on all three counts. The court handed down three six-year terms and Cox appealed.

Chief Justice Ruth V. McGregor will be participating, as will Vice Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch, along with justices Michael D. Ryan, W. Scott Bales and Andrew D. Hurwitz.

After the oral hearings, the court will hold a question and answer session with members of the audience about the workings of the court and general information about the cases.

Attendees should be mindful of a number of requirements:

• No laptops or backpacks will be allowed inside the hall.
• Pagers and cell phones must be turned off.
• Flash photography is not allowed.
• Appropriate attire is required, and no hats are allowed.
• Attendees must pass through a security gate and all side exits will be closed.