The N.C. Court of Appeals held a special session on November 14 at the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton. The three-judge panel heard a civil law case from Madison County and another civil law case from Forsyth County. The judges serving on the panel included Chief Judge Linda McGee, Judge Richard Dietz, and Judge John Arrowood.

“This was truly an honor for our judges to include students from Catawba County Schools, and members of the greater Catawba County community, in our proceedings,” said Chief Judge McGee. “It is our hope that this session would serve to educate those in attendance about our Court and the importance of the North Carolina Judicial Branch and court system in our state.”

In addition to the Catawba County legal community, approximately 50 students from Catawba County schools attended the special session. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey, and Catawba County Bar President Raven Barron were organizers of the events. The Catawba County Bar Association held a reception after the court session.

This special session is part of a broader opportunity for the Judicial Branch to engage local communities in civic education. Through hosting this session, attendees in the Catawba County community were able learn about the importance of the rule of law, the fair and impartial administration of justice, and the Judicial Branch’s public service in upholding individual rights for the betterment of all people.

To learn about civic education opportunities including the Judicial Branch Speakers Bureau, please visit Celebrate.NCcourts.org.