Judges of the Second Circuit Court of Appeal will hear oral arguments in Howard Auditorium on the campus of Louisiana Tech University on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. One of five appellate courts in the state, the Second Circuit is located in Shreveport and comprises nine judges who are elected from three election districts in the state’s 20 northernmost parishes. Judge Frances J. Pitman is the chief judge of the Court. Hearing oral arguments will be panels consisting of Chief Judge Pitman, Judge Shonda Stone, Judge Jeff Cox, Judge James “Jimbo” Stephens, Judge Jeff Thompson, Judge Jeff Robinson, Judge Marcus Hunter, Judge Craig Marcotte, and Judge Danny Ellender. Arguments will be convened at 9:00 a.m., and the judges will hear three civil appeals and two criminal appeals. Court is open to the public, and area college and high school students have been invited to attend.
Judge Cox, Judge Robinson and Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson have spearheaded this event on campus. “The Second Circuit Court of Appeal covers a wide geographic area, and we want to provide the area citizens and students an opportunity to see what the court does and experience firsthand how our court operates,” said Judge Cox. In addition to seeing the appellate process in action, students and other observers will have a rare opportunity to interact with counsel and members of the court by asking questions after each argument.
“The appellate court is not the typical court perceived by the general public,” explained Judge Robinson. “Our court only hears oral argument from the attorneys, and decisions are made based upon those arguments and briefs submitted. We do not receive evidence or hear witnesses testify. That has already taken place in a trial court proceeding,” he added. “Our job is to determine whether the trial court applied the law correctly, considering the evidence that was presented.”
Dr. Jim Henderson, president of Louisiana Tech, noted, “For many, the context for understanding court proceedings and our legal system, an essential element of a free and democratic society, is limited to television and movies. Chief Judge Pitman and the Second Circuit Court of Appeal are providing an opportunity for our students and community to broaden that understanding by witnessing live cases here on campus. This day will inspire our students to consider a future in law and advances our vision to be the exemplar of experiential learning.”
The court’s stop at Louisiana Tech is part of its “Riding the Circuit” initiative, an effort by the judges of the court to educate and inform students and the general public about the work of the Second Circuit Court of Appeal. The court most recently rode the circuit to the University of Louisiana Monroe in September 2022 and Grambling State University in September 2023. “Riding the Circuit” is also an opportunity for the court to travel to the local attorneys instead of vice versa as a gesture of appreciation for the fine work of the members of the local and area bar associations.