January 25, 2019 | Jeanne Leblanc - School of Law

Federal Court To Hold Session At UConn Law

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will hear oral arguments in six cases, including a terrorism case and a lawsuit over a retracted news story, in a session at UConn School of Law on Feb. 4, 2019. A panel of three of its judges will hear arguments for approximately 20 minutes […]

Thurgood Marshall Courthouse

The Thurgood Marshall Courthouse, home of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in lower Manhattan. (Paul Sableman [CC BY 2.0 (v)] via Wikimedia Commons)

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will hear oral arguments in six cases, including a terrorism case and a lawsuit over a retracted news story, in a session at UConn School of Law on Feb. 4, 2019.

A panel of three of its judges will hear arguments for approximately 20 minutes for each case. Those cases are:

  • Lindsey A. Kidd v. Thomson Reuters Corp., a dispute over application of the Fair Credit Reporting Act to a background report that falsely stated the plaintiff had a criminal record.
  • United States of America v. Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, the case of a U.S. citizen convicted of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
  • Kevin Jefferson v. Sergeant Rene Garcia, et al, a claim that a federal magistrate improperly fined a pro se plaintiff and improperly dismissed his civil rights complaint.
  • United States of America v. John Asmodeo, a case involving an unconstitutional search and a video used as evidence in a prosecution for sexual exploitation of a minor.
  • Richard Schoninger v. James Green, William Wilkison, breach of contract arising out of a failed corporate merger.
  • Joel Rich, Mary Rich v. Fox News Network, a claim of intentional infliction of distress against the news network after it broadcast and retracted reports that Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich had leaked DNC emails before he was murdered.

After all the arguments are concluded, while the judges confer, the attorneys involved will take part in a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience. More details of the cases are available in the calendar event listing for the session.

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is based in New York City but its judges regularly “ride the circuit” throughout the court’s jurisdiction, which includes the states of New York, Connecticut and Vermont.  The Second Circuit last visited UConn Law in 2014.

The court requires that audience members arrive in the Reading Room by 9:30 a.m. or wait to enter between arguments or after adjournment.

The following items may not be brought into the courtroom: backpacks, laptops, cell phones, bladed or pointed items, tools of any kind, weapons, food or beverages. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves appropriately during the arguments and observe courtroom decorum, with no talking or disruptions. The dress code is business formal. Members of the public may not photograph or record the proceedings.