The Fresno-based 5th District Court of Appeals will make the short drive north to Stanislaus County on Thursday to conduct a hearing in Modesto and hold a panel discussion at California State University, Stanislaus.

The visit is part of the Fifth Appellate District’s ongoing outreach program to communities within the court’s jurisdiction.

The court will open their day at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 1010 10th St. in Modesto, when they will hear oral arguments on two companion criminal cases under appeal. Students from county high schools and CSU Stanislaus will be in the audience to hear the arguments.

Following the arguments, the seven judges will journey to CSU Stanislaus for a panel discussion, scheduled to run from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Mary Stuart Rogers Administration Building, room 130. Phyllis Gerstenfeld, chair of the CSU Stanislaus Criminal Justice Department, will moderate the forum, which will be guided by student and faculty questions for the justices.

Both of Thursday’s Appellate District Court appearances are open to the public.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears appeals of cases from Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne County superior courts. The appellate court hears criminal, civil, family law, juvenile delinquency and dependency, probate and other cases.

The appeal court does not conduct jury trials, but instead is tasked with reexamining the same evidence brought to light during the initial court proceeding. The court is focused narrowly on examining whether legal errors have occurred, and if those errors should affect the outcome of the case.

To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.