The Hawaii Supreme Court will convene on Maui for what is believed to be the first time since the mid-1800s to hear oral arguments Thursday morning in the Baldwin High School Auditorium.
Approximately 470 students from Baldwin, King Kekaulike, Lahainaluna and Maui high schools, Kamehameha Schools Maui, Seabury Hall and St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School will be in the audience.
The oral arguments will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in state v. Cramer, a 2nd Circuit Court case in which Stephen Cramer Jr. is challenging his sentence on the grounds that he was not allowed his attorney of choice at his sentencing hearing on Jan. 11, 2011.
At the hearing, a new attorney appeared on behalf of Cramer, asked to substitute for Cramer's court-appointed counsel and requested a three-week delay in the sentencing. After the prosecution responded that it was ready to proceed with sentencing, the judge denied the new attorney's motion as being untimely and proceeded with sentencing. Cramer was sentenced to a 10-year prison term after being found guilty of second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.
For the oral argument, Hayden Aluli is representing Cramer, while Deputy Prosecutor Artemio Baxa is representing the state.
The oral argument is the second to be held under the Judiciary's Courts in the Community program in an effort to educate students and the general public about the judiciary's role in government and its function in resolving disputes in a democratic society, according to a news release from the Judiciary.
To prepare for the oral argument, the participating juniors and seniors from each school are studying a curriculum developed by the Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center and the Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education of the University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law. The students' studies will culminate in a moot court activity facilitated by members of the Maui County Bar Association. The Hawaii State Bar Association is providing lunches and support to transport the students to and from Baldwin High School.
The oral argument is open to the public. Doors to the auditorium will open at 9 a.m. Access to other areas of the campus during school hours will not be permitted without proper authorization.
Public parking is available at the War Memorial Gym adjacent to Baldwin High School. Drivers should enter the parking lot through Kanaloa Avenue.
