Court of Appeals to Convene in Kirksville Feb. 17

The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, will visit Kirksville to convene court Feb. 17.

A three-judge panel consisting of Judge Cynthia L. Martin, Judge James Welsh and Judge Gary Witt will hear oral arguments in four cases in the circuit courtroom of the Adair County Courthouse beginning at 9 a.m.

The cases are appeals from previous trials in area circuit courts. The judges will hear attorneys argue whether the trials had errors, which would cause them to be retried, or have the trial court’s judgment reversed. The judges will read written arguments before the court session and may interrupt the attorneys’ arguments with questions.

The three judges will take a break between cases and remain after the session to discuss the court system and generally explain proceedings.

This will be the 18th time that the court has convened in Kirksville. It convenes regularly in Kansas City. Its jurisdiction is appeals from trial courts in 45 counties, which include all of northwest Missouri and most of central Missouri.

Martin will preside over the proceedings in Kirksville. She was appointed to the court of appeals in 2009. Welsh was appointed to the Western District in 2007 and Witt in 2010.

“It is important for the court to convene oral arguments outside of Kansas City,” Martin said. “This gives individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see. We hope those attending will gain a better understanding of the court’s function.”

Besides Kirksville, during the past 18 years the court has held sessions in Chillicothe, Columbia, Fulton, Gallatin, Huntsville, Independence, Jefferson City, Keytesville, Lexington, Liberty, Linneus, Macon, Marshall, Maryville, Nevada, Platte City, Richmond, St. Joseph, Savannah, Trenton, Tuscumbia and Warrensburg.

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