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The University of Arkansas at Monticello hosted the Arkansas Supreme Court on October 30 as part of the court’s “Appeals on Wheels: Bringing the Courtroom to the Community” educational outreach initiative. The unique event provided students, educators and community members an opportunity to observe the state’s highest court in action as it heard the oral argument in Case No. CR-24-690: Christopher Gamble v. State of Arkansas.

The oral argument was heard by Chief Justice Karen R. Baker and Associate Justices Courtney Rae Hudson, Cody Hiland, Barbara Webb, Shawn A. Womack, Nicholas Bronni and Rhonda K. Wood.

The event, held in the Fine Arts Center, lasted one hour and provided attendees a firsthand look at the judicial process.

Prior to the oral argument, Dr. Peggy Doss, chancellor of UAM, introduced the program, stating, “We are deeply honored to welcome the Arkansas Supreme Court justices to the University of Arkansas at Monticello and to southeast Arkansas. Your presence here today reflects a remarkable commitment to openness, accessibility and civic education. By bringing the Supreme Court to communities across the state, you remind us that justice is not confined to the walls of the state Justice Building — it belongs to every Arkansan.”

Members of the Watson Chapel JROTC presented the colors, and Aiden Manley, president of the Student Government Association at UAM, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Scott Bearden, director of recruitment and retention in the Division of Music and associate professor of voice at UAM, sang the national anthem, and Justin Howard, campus minister for the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship at UAM, delivered the invocation. Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General LeAnne Burch, a former Arkansas state representative for District 9 and adjunct instructor of political science at UAM, presented the decorum statement and provided a summary of the case.

Several regional high schools, including Crossett High School, Dermott High School, Drew Central High School, Dumas High School, Hamburg High School, Lakeside High School, McGehee High School, Monticello High School, Star City High School and Watson Chapel High School, were in attendance, along with UAM students, faculty and staff.

Following the court session, the seven justices participated in breakout discussions in Wells Hall. While they were unable to comment on the case argued that morning, the justices answered students’ questions about the judicial system, the evolving interpretation of law, the diversity of judicial perspectives, educational pathways to law school and interesting aspects of serving as a justice. UAM Ambassadors — including Maria Arellano, Audrey Howard, Aiden Manley, Xiomara Molina, Zona Nwankwo, Delfino Rivera and Victoria Rivera — served as escorts for the justices during the breakout sessions.

“We are profoundly grateful to Chief Justice Baker and Associate Justices Hudson, Hiland, Webb, Womack, Bronni and Wood for their graciousness and the quality time they devoted to our students and guests,” Dr. Doss said. “Witnessing the judicial process in action provides our campus and region with a valuable educational opportunity to better understand the role of justice in civic life.”

According to the Arkansas Judiciary website, the Appeals on Wheels program is designed to make the judicial process more accessible to Arkansans by holding court sessions in communities and educational institutions across the state. The initiative seeks to promote transparency, civic understanding and engagement with the state’s legal system. The program was created in 2002, and UAM previously hosted the court in 2006.