Georgia Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments at Mercer Law School

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MACON – The Supreme Court of Georgia will hear oral arguments in the Bell-Jones Courtroom at Mercer University School of Law on Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m. as part of numerous Law Day celebration events. The visit will provide an opportunity for students and the local community to observe the Court in action.

At the start of the session, the Court will hold a short admission ceremony allowing any recent law school graduates, alumni or members of the local bar who are not already admitted to the Supreme Court to be admitted at the special session. Instructions for participating in this special admission ceremony are listed on the Court’s website. Applications for admission must be submitted to Joy Littlefield at littlefieldj@gasupreme.us no later than Wednesday, April 3.

Additionally, Professor Sarah Gerwig-Moore will argue on behalf of a client in Mercer Law’s Habeas Project. The Habeas Project is the only program in Georgia to represent non-capital, post-conviction cases on a pro bono basis.

The Court will hear the following cases:

Case No. S18C1189, Rockdale Hospital, LLC v. Shawn Evans, et al. involves the appeal of a hospital to the decision of the Court of Appeals to reverse the jury’s award of damages and remand for a new trial.  The appeal focuses on whether the appellate court properly applied the standard for review of a jury’s award of damages set forth in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-12.

Appellant Brief S18G1189
Appellee’s Brief S18G1189

Case No. S18C1190, Shawn G. Evans, et al. v. Rockdale Hospital, LLC is a companion case to SC18C1189 and involves the appeal of the decision of the Court of Appeals to require a new trial on liability and damages in the case, rather than a new trial limited to the issue of damages. The appeal focuses on whether O.C.G.A. § 51-12-12 supersedes prior Georgia Supreme Court precedent that would require a new trial on liability and damages.

Appellant’s Brief S18G1190
Appellee’s Brief S18G1190

Case No. S19A0554, Robert Earl Mitchum v. The State involves an appeal of a trial court decision to deny an extraordinary motion for a new trial.  The appeal focuses on whether the appellant properly raised a jury contamination claim in an extraordinary motion for a new trial and whether the trial court properly denied that motion.

Appellant’s Brief S19A0554
Appellee’s Brief of A.G. S19A0554
Appellee’s Brief of D.A S19A0554