Students at Brigham Young University-Idaho had a front-row seat to Idaho's highest court Wednesday as the Idaho Supreme Court traveled to campus to hear oral arguments and meet with students.

The court heard three cases in the Manwaring Student Center before opening the floor for a question-and-answer session with attendees. While the legal arguments themselves centered on technical questions of law, the event gave students a rare opportunity to watch the judicial branch operate in real time.

Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan said one reason the court travels throughout Idaho is because the judiciary belongs to all Idahoans, not just those who live near the state capital.

"Hearing cases in communities throughout our state allows citizens to observe their judicial branch in action and better understand how courts fit within our constitutional system," Bevan said during opening remarks.

Bevan also praised BYU-Idaho students for their engagement, noting that Rexburg consistently draws some of the largest audiences the court sees during its travels around the state.

For many students, the hearing was their first time attending a court proceeding.

Levi Forson said he was surprised by how much an attorney's presentation style influenced the way he viewed an argument.

"I found it really interesting how effectively one of the speakers was able to sway me in favor of what they were saying just based off her demeanor and how well she presented her arguments," Forson said.

Eden Johnson said he noticed how the justices often took complex legal language and translated it into terms the audience could understand.

"The counsels would use specific wording, and then the judges oftentimes would take it and simplify it. It's like, 'So what you're saying is this,'" Johnson said.

Unlike trial courts, which focus on evidence and witness testimony, the Idaho Supreme Court reviews questions of law and determines whether lower courts correctly applied legal standards. During oral arguments, attorneys present legal arguments while justices question them about statutes, precedent and constitutional issues.

The traveling court sessions are designed to increase public understanding of the judicial system and make the court more accessible to communities across Idaho. For students considering careers in law, government or public service, the event also provided a glimpse into the work of the state's highest court.

Bevan, who announced he will retire later this year, said he has always enjoyed the court's visits to Rexburg and BYU-Idaho. He described the university as one of the court's most welcoming stops and said interactions with students have been among the highlights of the traveling sessions.