Supreme Court LIVE - Materials - Alaska Court System

Supreme Court LIVE - Materials

The following materials are provided to teachers and students to help them prepare for the oral arguments that will be presented during Supreme Court LIVE programs. These include both general background materials about the legal system and materials specific to the cases that will be heard. Participating classes are encouraged to review these materials in preparation for the oral arguments. Volunteer attorneys who visit participating classes in advance of the program will also rely on these materials. For questions or further information, or if you need assistance accessing the documents posted below, contact the Clerk of the Appellate Courts at 907-264-0608 or Supreme Court LIVE Judicial Assistant at 907-264-0864.

Educational Materials
Case Materials

Educational Materials

Access to video & audio recordings of the program for participating schools

The oral arguments presented during the Supreme Court LIVE program are filmed and available for viewing or listening through KTOO Public Television station in Juneau. Please check KTOO's website (http://www.360north.org/alaska-supreme-court/) or contact Margaret Newman at the Alaska Court System (907-264-0864; mnewman@akcourts.gov) for more information.

Understanding Our Legal System

I. Sources of Law

A. The Constitutions
1. The United States Constitution
2. The Alaska Constitution
B. Statutory Law
1. Federal Statutes
2. State Statutes
3. Municipal Ordinances
C. Administrative Law
1. Adoption & Effect of Rules
2. Scope of Administrative Rules
D. The Common Law
1. Case Law as Common Law
2. Scope of the Common Law in Alaska
3. The Importance of the Common Law

Activity I: Which Level of Government?

II. What is a court case?

A. Civil Law
B. Criminal Law

Activity II: Civil or Criminal Laws?

III. Courts in Alaska

A. Federal Courts
1. U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
2. U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
3. U.S.Supreme Court
B. State Courts: The Alaska Court System
1. Appellate Courts
  - i. Alaska Supreme Court
  - ii. Alaska Court of Appeals
2. Trial Courts
  - i. Alaska Superior Court
  - ii. Alaska District Court

Activity III - A: Federal Court or State Court?

Activity III - B: Which State Court?

IV. Understanding an Appellate Case

Activity IV: Analyzing a Case

V. Helpful Resources

A. www.icivics.org: The iCivics website(formerly Our Courts) features "Supreme Decision," an online game about the appellate process. A great introduction to case analysis!
B. www.streetlaw.org: This popular website, sponsored by StreetLaw, Inc. and the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, includes descriptions and lessons on major U.S. Supreme Court decisions, along with tips for conducting moot courts in the classroom.

VI. Glossary

Case Materials

Anchorage

Fairbanks
Juneau
- September 17, 2010
Kenai
- March 29, 2018
Ketchikan
- November 19, 2014

Nome
- November 4, 2024
Palmer
- October 19, 2016
Sitka
- October 29, 2012
Utqiagvik (Barrow)
- October 3, 2013

Nome - November 4, 2024

John D. Rochon v. City of Nome, Allen Wright, and Jackie L.Reader
Supreme Court Case No. S-18908

Case Summary & Study Guide

Fairbanks - November 22, 2022

State of Alaska v. John William McKelvey III
Supreme Court Case No. S-17910

Granted Petition for Hearing from the Court of Appeals
Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks
The Honorable Bethany Harbison Presiding.

Fairbanks - October 10, 2019

Kaleb Lee Basey v. State of Alaska, Department of Public Safety
Supreme Court Case No. S-17099

Appeal from the Superior Court
Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks
The Honorable Douglas Blankenship Presiding

A. Case Summary & Study Guide (104 KB)
B. Opening Brief of Appellant (4.2 MB)
C. Brief of Appellee (675 KB)
D. Supplemental Brief of Appellee (5.5 MB)
E. Brief of Amici Curiae Public Employees Local 71 and APEA/AFT (1.5 MB)
F. Reply Brief of Appellant (1.2 MB)
G. Brief of Amicus Curiae ACLU of Alaska Foundation (1.5 MB)
H. Brief of Amici Curiae Gray Television, Inc., Anchorage Daily News, and Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (7.3 MB)

Anchorage - February 26, 2019

Alaska Public Defender Agency v. Superior Court
Supreme Court Case No. S-16983

Appeal from the Court Of Appeals
Fourth Judicial District at Bethel
The Honorable Dwayne W. McConnell Presiding

A. Case Summary & Study Guide (104 KB)
B. Opening Brief of Petitioner (2.7 MB)
C. Petitioner's Excerpt of Record,
- Volume 1 of 2 (1.7 MB)
- Volume 2 of 2 (Redacted) (10.2 MB)
D. Intervenor's Brief (7.5 MB)
E. Intervenor's Excerpt of Record,
- Volume 1 of 1 (6.2 MB)
F. Reply Brief of Petitioner (1.6 MB)
G. Court of Appeals Decision (583 KB)

Kenai - March 29, 2018

State of Alaska v. Alaska Democratic Party
Supreme Court Case No. S-16875

Appeal from the Superior Court
First Judicial District at Juneau
The Honorable Philip M. Pallenberg Presiding

A. Case Summary & Study Guide (286 KB)
B. Opening Brief of Appellant State of Alaska (2.3 MB)
C. Appellant's Excerpt of Record, Volume 1 of 1
- Excerpts 1 - 42 (3.69 MB)
- Excerpts 43 - 98 (5.97 MB)
- Excerpts 99 - 151 (5.86 MB)
- Excerpts 152 - 204 (5.55 MB)
- Excerpts 204 - 253 (4.72 MB)
D. Brief of Appellee Alaska Democratic Party (2.19 MB)
E. Reply Brief of Appellant State of Alaska (4.2 MB)
F. Supreme Court Opinion No. 7279, 426 P3d 901 (168 KB)

Anchorage - February 24, 2016

A. Case Summary & Study Guide (77 KB)
B. Opening Brief of Appellant Recreational Data Services, Inc. (2.13 MB)
C. Brief of Appellee Trimble Navigation Limited (2.14 MB)
D. Reply Brief of Appellant Recreational Data Services, Inc. (1.17 MB)
E. Appellant's Excerpt of Record, Volume 1 of 1
- Excerpts 1 - 97 (3.71 MB)
- Excerpts 98 - 149 (2.09 MB)
- Excerpts 150 - 234 (3.12 MB)
F. Appellee's Excerpt of Record, Volume 1 of 1 (1.56 MB)
G. Supreme Court Opinion No. 7162, 404 P3d 120 (221 KB)

Anchorage - February 21, 2014

Janet Hudson, on behalf of herself and others v. Citibank (South Dakota) NA, Alaska Law Offices, Inc., and Clayton Walker
Cynthia Stewart, on behalf of herself and others v. Midland Funding LLC, Alaska Law Offices, Inc., and Clayton Walker
Supreme Court Case Nos. S-14740/S-14826 (consolidated)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Third Judicial District at Anchorage
The Honorable Frank A. Pfiffner Presiding

A. Case Summary & Study Guide (91 KB)
B. Petitioners' Opening Brief (815 KB)
C. Respondent Midland's Brief (631 KB)
D. Respondent Citibank's Brief (678 KB)
E. Respondents Alaska Law Offices, Inc. and Walker's Brief (847 KB)
F. Petitioners' Reply Brief (664 KB)
G. Petitioners' Excerpt of Record
- Volume 1
  - Excerpts 1 - 46 (1.29 MB)
  - Excerpts 47 - 96 (1.3 MB)
  - Excerpts 97 - 146 (1.2 MB)
  - Excerpts 147 - 204 (1.3 MB)
- Volume 2
  - Excerpts 205 - 250 (2.3 MB)
  - Excerpts 251 - 300 (1.6 MB)
  - Excerpts 301 - 350 (1.9 MB)
  - Excerpts 351 - 400 (2.3 MB)
  - Excerpts 401 - 420 (790 KB)
G. Respondents' Excerpt of Record
- Volume 1
  - Excerpts 421 - 465 (2.1 MB)
  - Excerpts 466 - 515 (2.5 MB)
  - Excerpts 516 - 565 (2.1 MB)
  - Excerpts 566 - 590 (1.2 MB)
  - Excerpts 591 - 615 (1.7 MB)
  - Excerpts 616 - 645 (1.5 MB)
  - Excerpts 646 - 675 (1.6 MB)
- Volume 2
  - Excerpts 676 - 720 (1.2 MB)
  - Excerpts 721 - 770 (841 KB)
  - Excerpts 771 - 820 (783 KB)
  - Excerpts 821 - 838 (363 KB)
H. Supreme Court Opinion No. 7141, 387 P3d 42 (209 KB)

Anchorage - February 8, 2012

State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al. (Supreme Court No. S-13730)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Third Judicial District at Anchorage
The Honorable Sharon Gleason Presiding

A. Case Summary (60.5 KB)
B. Trial Court Decision (789 KB)
C. Opening Brief of Petitioner State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources (1.4 MB)
D. Brief of Respondents Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. (1.4 MB)
E. Reply Brief of Petitioner State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources (583 KB)
F. Petitioner’s Excerpt of Record
- Volume 1
  - Excerpts 1 - 56 (3.6 MB)
  - Excerpts 57 - 110 (1.6 MB)
  - Excerpts 111 - 170 (2 MB)
  - Excerpts 171 - 226 (2 MB)
  - Excerpts 227 - 285 (2.5 MB)
  - Excerpts 286 - 349 (2.8 MB)
  - Excerpts 350 - 406 (2 MB)
- Volume 2
  - Excerpts 407 - 478 (2.1 MB)
  - Excerpts 479 - 535 (2 MB)
  - Excerpts 536 - 580 (932 KB)
  - Excerpts 581 - 657 (3.2 MB)
  - Excerpts 658 - 736 (3.4 MB)
  - Excerpts 737 - 793 (1.9 MB)
  - Excerpts 794 - 829 (719 KB)
G. Respondents' Excerpt of Record
- Volume 1
  - Excerpts 830 - 885 (2.1 MB)
  - Excerpts 886 - 952 (2.8 MB)
  - Excerpts 953 - 1035 (2.9 MB)
  - Excerpts 1036 - 1099 (2.2 MB)
H. Order for Judicial Notice and referenced documents
- Order for Judicial Notice & Exhibit 1 (1.6 MB)
- Exhibit 2 (905 KB)
- Exhibits 3 - 5 (805 KB)
I. Motion to Dismiss and Order of Dismissal (1.42 MB)

Anchorage - February 24, 2011

I. CASE #1: Richard Heller v. State of Alaska, Department of Revenue (Supreme Court No. S-13551)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks
The Honorable Douglas Blankenship Presiding

A. Case Summary
B. Trial Court Decision (764 KB)
C. Opening Brief of Appellant Richard Heller (2.9 MB)
D. Brief of Appellee State of Alaska, Department of Revenue (1.4 MB)
E. Reply Brief of Appellant Richard Heller (1.4 MB)
F. Appellant’s Excerpt of Record (3 MB)
G. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6849, 314 P3d 69 (315 KB)

II. CASE #2: Ethel Kelly v. Municipality of Anchorage (Supreme Court No. S-13858)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Third Judicial District at Anchorage
The Honorable Peter A. Michalski Presiding

A. Case Summary
B. Trial Court Decision (96 KB)
B. Opening Brief of Appellant Ethel Kelly (.7 MB)
C. Brief of Appellee Municipality of Anchorage (.8 MB)
D. Reply Brief of Appellant Ethel Kelly (.4 MB)
E. Appellant’s Excerpt of Record
- Excerpts 1 - 46 (2.7 MB)
- Excerpts 47 - 133 (5.5 MB)
- Excerpts 134 - 224 (5.4 MB)
F. Appellant’s Supplemental Excerpt of Record (2 MB)
G. Appellee’s Excerpt of Record (.9 MB)
H. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6653 , 270 P.3d 801 (83 KB)

Anchorage - February 19, 2010

I. CASE #1: Thomas Olson v. City of Hooper Bay, et. al (Supreme Court No. S-13455)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Fourth Judicial District at Bethel
The Honorable Leonard R. Devaney Presiding

A. Case Summary
B. Opening Brief of Appellant Thomas Olson (1.8 MB)
C. Brief of Appellees City of Hooper Bay, et. al (1.8 MB)
D. Reply Brief of Appellant Thomas Olson (.6 MB)
E. Appellant’s Excerpts of Record
- Excerpts 1-70 (2.5 MB)
- Excerpts 71-139 (2.9 MB)
- Excerpts 140-207 (3 MB)
- Excerpts 208-276 (3.2 MB)
- Excerpts 277-358 (4.8 MB)
F. Appellee’s Excerpts of Record (.5 MB)
G. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6552, 251 P3d 1024

II. CASE #2: State of Alaska v. Robert Gibson (Supreme Court No. S-13509)

Petition for Hearing from the Court of Appeals

A. Case Summary
B. Opening Brief of Petitioner State of Alaska (1 MB)
C. Brief of Respondent Robert Gibson (1.7 MB)
D. Reply Brief of Petitioner State of Alaska (.6 MB)
E. Petitioner’s Excerpts of Record (3.7 MB)
F. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6635 , 267 P3d 645 (.39 MB)

Utqiagvik (Barrow) - October 3, 2013

Supreme Court LIVE Program & Activity Form

NELSON KANUK, a minor, by and through his guardian, SHARON KANUK; ADI DAVIS, a minor, by and through her guardian, JULIE DAVIS; KATHERINE DOLMA,a minor, by and through her guardian, BRENDA DOLMA; ANANDA ROSE AHTAHKEE LANKARD, a minor, by and through her guardian, GLEN "DUNE" LANKARD;and AVERY and OWEN MOZEN, minors, by and through their guardian, HOWARD MOZEN v. STATE OF ALASKA, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
(Supreme Court No. S-14776)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Third Judicial District at Anchorage
The Honorable Sen K. Tan Presiding

A. Case Summary (26 KB)
B. Appellants' Brief (849 KB)
C. Appellants' Excerpt of Record (3.51 MB)
D. Brief of Amicus Curiae Alaska Inter-Tribal Council In Support of Appellants (758 KB)
E. Brief of Amicus Curiae Law Professors In Support of Appellants (403 KB)
F. Appellee's Brief (1.74 MB)
G. Appellee's Excerpt of Record (2.84 MB)
H. Appellants' Reply Brief (1.02 MB)
I. Appellants' Supplemental Excerpt of Record (426 KB)
I. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6953, 335 P3d 1088

Fairbanks - February 6, 2012

Yong H. Yi v. Harris S. Yang, Sharon Yang, Max Arthur Lamoureaux, Y & I Corporation, Officer Lawrence Peyton Merideth and the City of Fairbanks (Supreme Court No. S-13427)

Appeal from the Superior Court
Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks
The Honorable Randy M. Olsen Presiding

A. Case Summary Revised 11-15-11
B. Case Flowchart (460 KB)
C. Trial Court Decision (136 KB)
D. Opening Brief of Appellant Yong H. Yi (1.71 MB)
E. Brief of Appellees Lawrence Peyton Merideth and City of Fairbanks (1.56 MB)
F. Reply Brief of Appellant Yong H. Yi (639 KB)
G. Appellant’s Excerpt of Record
- Excerpts 1 - 55 (2.03 MB)
- Excerpts 55 - 112 (7.63 MB)
- Excerpts 113 - 160 (2.75 MB)
- Excerpts 161 - 210 (2.4 MB)
- Excerpts 211 - 260 (4.72 MB)
- Excerpts 261 - 294 (4.94 MB)
H. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6695, 282 P3d 340

Juneau - September 17, 2010

I. CASE #1: Fraternal Order of Eagles, et. al. v. City and Borough of Juneau (Supreme Court No. S-13748)

Appeal from the Superior Court
First Judicial District at Juneau
The Honorable Philip M. Pallenberg Presiding

A. Case Summary
B. Trial Court Decision (928 KB)
C. Opening Brief of Appellants Fraternal Order of Eagles, et. al. (2.2 MB)
D. Brief of Appellee City and Borough of Juneau (3.3 MB)
E. Reply Brief of Appellants Fraternal Order of Eagles, et. al. (.4 MB)
F. Brief of Amicus Curiae American Cancer Society (1.2 MB)
G. Appellants' Excerpt of Record (2.4 MB)
H. Appellee’s Excerpt of Record (.9 MB)
I. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6574, 254 P3d 348

II. CASE #2: Trask v. Ketchikan Gateway Borough (Supreme Court No. S-13590)

Appeal from the Superior Court
First Judicial District at Ketchikan
The Honorable Trevor N. Stephens Presiding

A. Case Summary
B. Trial Court Decision (1.6 MB)
C. Opening Brief of Appellant Leta Trask (.9 MB)
D. Brief of Appellee Ketchikan Gateway Borough (1.9 MB)
E. Reply Brief of Appellant Leta Trask (.8 MB)
F. Appellant’s Excerpt of Record (12.7 MB)
G. Appellee’s Excerpt of Record (2.5 MB)
H. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6569, 253 P3d 616

Ketchikan - November 19, 2014

State of Alaska, Patrick Galvin, Comm. et al v. Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes
Supreme Court Case No. S-14935

Appeal from the Superior Court
First Judicial District at Juneau
The Honorable Philip M. Pallenberg Presiding

A. Case Summary (208 KB)
B. Appellants' Brief (2.06 MB)
C. Appellant's Excerpt of Record
- Volume 1 of 2 (9.39 MB)
- Volume 2 of 2 (14.88 MB)
D. Appellee's Brief (1.58 MB)
E. Appellee's Excerpt of Record (5.43 MB)
F. Brief of Amicus Curiae National Association of Tribal Child Support Directors (2.95 MB)
G. Brief of Amicus Curiae United States of America (2.18 MB)
H. Appellants' Reply Brief (1.03 MB)
I. Supreme Court Opinion No. 7093, 371 P3d 255

Palmer - October 19, 2016

Robert Riddle, dba Fairbanks Pumping and Thawing v. Eric Lanser
Supreme Court Case No. S-15780

Appeal from the Superior Court
Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks
The Honorable Bethany S. Harbison Presiding

A. Case Summary (144 KB)
B. Appellants' Brief (2.69 MB)
C. Appellant's Excerpt of Record
- Excerpts 1-100 (4.05 MB)
- Excerpts 101-240 (5.65 MB)
- Excerpts 241-247 (2.41 MB)
- Excerpts 248-255 (2.98 MB)
- Excerpts 256-264 (3.1 MB)
- Excerpt (Transcripts) (539 KB)
D. Appellee's Brief (2.59 MB)
E. Appellee's Excerpt of Record (10.8 MB)
F. Appellants' Reply Brief (832 KMB)
G. Supreme Court Opinion No. 7235, 421 P3d 35

Sitka - October 29, 2012

Alaskan Adventure Tours, Inc., Kimberly Riedel-Byler, aka Kimberly C. Riedel, K. Christina Riedel and/or Kimberly Byler, and ABC Leasing, LLC v. The City and Borough of Yakutat (Supreme Court No. S-14483)

Appeal from the Superior Court
First Judicial District at Juneau
The Honorable Patricia A. Collins Presiding

A. Case Summary (46 KB)
B. Underlying Orders on Appeal (1.21 MB)
C. Opening Brief of Appellants Alaskan Adventure Tours, Inc., Kimberly Riedel-Byler, aka Kimberly C. Riedel, K. Christina Riedel and/or Kimberly Byler, and ABC Leasing, LLC (1.91 MB)
D. Brief of Appellee The City and Borough of Yakutat (1.83 MB)
E. Reply Brief of Appellants Alaskan Adventure Tours, Inc., Kimberly Riedel-Byler, aka Kimberly C. Riedel, K. Christina Riedel and/or Kimberly Byler, and ABC Leasing, LLC (6.73 MB)
F. Appellants' Excerpt of Record
- Volume 1
  - Pages 1 - 71 (9.13 MB)
  - Pages 72 - 162 (9.5 MB)
- Volume 2
  - Pages 163 - 235 (10.73 MB)
  - Pages 236 - 284 (4.88 MB)
  - Pages 285 - 342 (6.38 MB)
G. Appellee's Excerpt of Record
- Pages 343a - 420 (8.52 MB)
- Pages 421 - 503 (7.6 MB)
H. Appellants’ Supplemental Excerpt of Record (3.32MB)
I. Supreme Court Opinion No. 6814, 307 P3d 955