Back to News

Connecticut Supreme Court to Hear Arguments at Yale Law School

A stone marker with the engraved words “SUPREME COURT” sits in front of a white stone courthouse, surrounded by a lawn and trees
The Connecticut Supreme Court building in Hartford.

The Connecticut Supreme Court will hear two arguments at Yale Law School on March 5 as part of its “On Circuit” program.

The first case will be heard at 10 a.m. At issue in State of Connecticut v. Sergio J. Correa, from the New London Judicial District, is whether the warrantless seizure of a cell phone was justified under the exigent circumstance’s exception, and whether a search warrant for the entire contents of a cell phone violated state and federal constitutions.

At 11:30 a.m., the Court will hear Gregory Johnson v. Superior Court, from the Tolland Judicial District. At issue is whether the plaintiff’s right to due process was violated when the trial court failed to defer a criminal contempt proceeding and order that the proceeding be held before a different judge. Another issue is whether the trial court properly concluded that the plaintiff’s conduct constituted criminal contempt.

“The Court is excited to bring this event to future law professionals by achieving the goal of educating students about how the appellate process works,” said Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins. 

After the hearing for each case, there will be a 20-minute Q&A period with the attorneys, moderated by Leighton Homer Surbeck Professor of Law Cristina Rodríguez ’00.

“Yale Law School is honored to host the Connecticut Supreme Court, which will be an important moment for our students to directly witness judicial arguments,” said Dean Heather K. Gerken. “The state Supreme Court does vital work. Hosting the justices on our campus brings the lessons of a legal education to our front door. Our students are also lucky to have the opportunity to ask questions of the attorneys following each argument, as it provides yet another opportunity for learning.”

Since 1996, the Connecticut Supreme Court held arguments at high schools, colleges, and universities across the state “with the goal of educating students about the role and responsibilities of the appellate system through this interactive and engaging real-life experience,” according to the court. The Court last visited the Law School in 2008.

The event is open to the public; the Connecticut Network (CT-N) will livestream the arguments.

Full details about the event can be found on the Law School website.