A three-judge panel consisting of Judge Victor C. Howard, Judge Alok Ahuja and Judge Mark D. Pfeiffer will hear oral argument at the Missouri Boys State session. A second three-judge panel consisting of Judge Karen King Mitchell, Judge Lisa White Hardwick and Judge Cynthia L. Martin will hear oral argument at the Missouri Girls State session.

Newton explained that the cases are appeals from previously held trials in area circuit courts. The judges will hear attorneys argue whether the trials had errors that should cause them to be retried or the trial court's judgment reversed, he said. The judges will read written arguments before the court session, he added, and may interrupt the attorneys’ arguments with questions.

Missouri Boys State is sponsored by the American Legion, and Missouri Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. They exist to teach the fundamentals of citizenship, government and politics to the brightest high school juniors in the state. Participants learn first-hand the inner workings of the three branches of state government—the executive, the legislative and the judicial.

The upcoming sessions will be the fifth consecutive appearances of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District at Boys and Girls State. The Court convenes regularly in Kansas City. However, during the past 18 years, the Court also has held sessions in Chillicothe, Clinton, Columbia, Fulton, Gallatin, Huntsville, Independence, Jefferson City, Kirksville, Lexington, Liberty, Linneus, Macon, Marshall, Maryville, Moberly, Nevada, Platte City, Richmond, St. Joseph, Savannah, Trenton, Tuscumbia and Warrensburg.

"It is important for the Court to convene oral arguments outside of Kansas City," Newton 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."