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Indiana Court of Appeals and trial court judges from around the state gathered in downtown Indianapolis Wednesday evening to celebrate the achievements of the court in promoting civics education for students in Indiana.
The appellate court received the Sandra Day O’Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education in 2023. The award, named after the late Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, honors an organization, court or individual who actively promotes civic education as it relates to the justice system.
O’Connor herself established iCivics, a web-based program to teach civics education to students.
Chief Judge Robert R. Altice, Jr. and other appellate judges went to New York to receive the award. Offering opening remarks at Wednesday’s gathering at the Statehouse, Altice celebrated the community the judges have built in the state.
“All the Chief Justices around the country were very excited for us. The things that they noted to us was, they were very excited about the camaraderie,” Altice said. “We do have a very good rapport and that’s something we’re very proud of here.”
Altice also celebrated trial court judges’ participation in the Appeals on Wheels program, which invites students to watch oral arguments and better understand how their judicial system works.
The mobile court has set up in schools, retirement homes and conference centers as part of the appellate court’s initiative to bring civics education to life.
The appellate court had held more than 650 traveling oral arguments since 2000 and 20 in early 2023.
A new exhibition at half of the judge’s chambers was also unveiled during the event. The exhibits, set up along the walls of the Court of Appeals’ offices, depict each iteration of appellate judges and honor the history of the court.
Starting at one end of the hallway in front of a wall of photos honoring Indiana Court of Appeals chief judges there are frames depicting each version of the court starting with when there used to be five judges to the present day with 15 judges.
Those part of the “Holcomb Hundred,” the 100 judges Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed during his time as governor, signed commemorative posters to celebrate the milestone.
The judges were invited to mingle, take a peek at COA judges’ chambers, and receive a copy of the book, “The Court of Appeals of Indiana”, during the event.
The relaxed open house was filled with laughter, snacks and even a few games of euchre.
Indiana Court of Appeals book describing the long history of the appellate court. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Indiana judges from all across the state were invited to see the new exhibition depicting the history of the state's appellate court. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
The Indiana Court of Appeals earned the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education from the National Center for State Courts in 2023. The glass award is now displayed in a case at one of the appellate offices. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
The present day version of the Indiana Court of Appeals began with the appointment of Judge Paul Felix in July 2023. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Judges appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb signed posters honoring their appointment and the governors a hundred judicial selections. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
The Indiana Court of Appeals used to draw cards as a way to select the panel of judges for each case. The display is part of the exhibit unveiled at Wednesday's celebration. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
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