Road Trip | University of Puget Sound

Campus, Community, Arches

The state’s Supreme Court pays the university a visit.

The Washington State Supreme Court went on the road in September, setting up shop on the Puget Sound campus for two days. It was the third visit to campus for the state’s highest court; justices made similar visits in 2013 and 2017.

“We don’t just hear cases—we also go to classes, answer questions, and learn from the questions that that are asked to us,” says Justice Susan Owens, who co-chairs the Traveling Court Committee. “Traveling court allows a wide variety of people who want to know more about the justice system to see it at no expense.”

Hosting the court is an honor, says Puget Sound President Isiaah Crawford. “This gathering embodies our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of the legal system and its impact on our society,” he says. “We aim to ignite curiosity and critical thinking among our students and the community.”

Washington State Supreme Court hears arguments in Schneebeck Concert Hall in 2023. — Washington State Supreme Court justices engaged in panel discussions, classroom visits, and heard two oral arguments in front of the public during a visit to University of Puget Sound in 2023.

Students attend oral arguments before the Washington State Supreme Court.

Washington State Supreme Court justice answers an audience question in Schneebeck Concert Hall in 2023.

Chief Justice Gonzalez attends a classroom discussion at Puget Sound in 2023.

Community member asks a question of the Washington State Supreme Court during a Q&A session at Puget Sound.

In Schneebeck Hall sessions that were open to the public, the nine justices heard oral arguments in two cases: Premera Blue Cross v. P.E.L., P.L., and J.L. (a case claiming a health insurer made a bad-faith denial of coverage), and State of Washington v. Kimonti Dennis Carter & Shawn Dee Reite (having to do with the court’s authority to modify life sentences). After the arguments, the justices held a Q&A segment with the audience.

The justices also offered a panel discussion on the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Washington state law, visited classes, and met informally with students, faculty, and members of the public.

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