Definitions for "Oral Argument"
The hearing before the panel of appellate judges that will decide the appeal. All parties have a right to oral argument in state appellate cases. In the Federal appellate system, the Court holds oral argument only if it is necessary to assist the Court in deciding the case.
a verbal debate held between attorneys for the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s) before all nine Court justices. The oral argument is held after receiving written briefs from both parties. Justices frequently question the attorneys during the course of their presentations. During the years that Justice Clark sat on the bench, oral arguments for each case were limited to 2 hours total, or one hour for each side.
a discussion of the facts and the law involved in a case being appealed