<p>Widener University Delaware Law School is pleased to announce the Delaware Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at the school on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The court will convene in the Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom to hear three cases beginning at 10 a.m.<br /><br />The court will sit en banc, meaning all five justices will hear the cases. Each argument will last 55 minutes. The cases include:<br /><br /><strong>10 a.m.</strong> Smith v. State of Delaware, a direct appeal from convictions on possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition by a person prohibited. The sole issue on appeal is whether the trial judge erred in refusing to suppress evidence of the weapon and ammunition. The Superior Court found no probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop Smith, but concluded the seizure was justified because Smith was a witness to his juvenile companion&rsquo;s crime of riding a bicycle at night without a light. Smith asserts riding a bicycle at night without a light is not a crime.<br /><br /><strong>11:10 a.m.</strong> Nash v. Barra, an appeal that involves derivative litigation arising from General Motors&rsquo; production of faulty ignition switches. Shareholders are appealing the Court of Chancery&rsquo;s dismissal of their complaint. They contend, in part, that the court erred in failing to give them all reasonable inferences to be drawn from the facts, and erred in holding that they failed to properly allege facts sufficient to establish demand futility.<br /><br /><strong>12:30 p.m.</strong> Horbal v. Shapira, an appeal of the Court of Chancery&rsquo;s dismissal of a shareholders&rsquo; claim, with prejudice. The shareholders asserted breach of fiduciary duty claims against the directors of Seegrid Corp. and Seegrid&rsquo;s largest shareholder and creditor, Giant Eagle. The shareholders assert the Court of Chancery erred, in part, for dismissing their complaint based on lack of standing.<br /><br />The oral arguments are open to the public and will follow the same protocol the court uses when it sits in its own courtroom in Dover. Upon request, the court will allow one media representative with a still camera and one with a video camera to attend and cover the proceedings from a fixed location. If multiple requests are made for still or video cameras, the outlet first requesting access will become the pool supplier of footage. Audio feeds for radio use will be available through the law school&rsquo;s audio-visual control room.<br /><br />Court protocol also requires everyone who attends the hearings to submit to a security check before entering the courtroom. Capitol Police will be on campus the day of oral arguments to provide security for the court, as the officers normally do when the court sits in Dover. No one may enter or exit the courtroom after an oral argument has started, although entry and exit between oral arguments is permitted. Anyone who creates a disturbance must leave the courtroom and may not return, and the court prohibits outward displays of emotion by people in the gallery.<br /><br /><strong>Food, drink, cell phones and all other portable electronic devices, including tablets and laptop computers, will not be allowed in the courtroom.<br /><br /></strong>Additional questions about the court&rsquo;s policy on electronic media coverage may be directed to Cathy Howard, clerk of the Delaware Supreme Court, at 302.739.4187.<br /><br />All members of the press planning to attend are asked to notify the Delaware Law School Public Relations Office in advance at 302.477.2175 so we may anticipate you for seating.<br /><br />Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, applied leadership, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience.&nbsp; Its Delaware Law School is the First State&rsquo;s only law school, providing juris doctor, legal graduate and paralegal degree programs with an emphasis on developing legal professionals who reflect the Delaware Way and its traditions of civility, integrity and mutual respect. The school offers signature programs in corporate and business law, environmental law, family health law and policy, and trial advocacy. Widener University is proud to be tobacco free. Visit <a href="{staticroot}">delawarelaw.widener.edu</a> for more information.</p>
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