On January 29, Texas Tech Law welcomed the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals to campus for a live oral argument in the Hunt Courtroom, giving students a firsthand look at military appellate advocacy and the role of Article I courts in the federal system.
The Court of Criminal Appeals functions as an intermediate appellate court that reviews specific court-martial convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This opportunity allowed students to see how military justice operates beyond the trial level. After the oral argument, students, faculty, and guests were invited to continue the discussion at a reception honoring the court, hosted by the Texas Tech Military Law Association.
Third-year student TJ Harwood emphasized the significance of the visit for the Law School community: “I’m glad students had the chance to observe oral arguments with the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. This was a fantastic way to showcase Texas Tech Law to one of the top Article I courts in the nation while giving students a clearer understanding of what a JAG officer’s work looks like in practice.”
The visit underscored Texas Tech Law’s commitment to experiential learning and provided valuable exposure for students interested in military justice, appellate advocacy, and public service careers.