September 16, 2022: Oral Arguments

Attorneys for the youth plaintiffs presented oral arguments before the Honorable Clarence N. Jenkins Jr. at the Richmond City Circuit Court on their Opposition to the Commonwealth’s Demurrer and Plea of Sovereign Immunity.

Over 100 supporters joined the youth plaintiffs in the courtroom and at a post-hearing press conference on the courthouse plaza.

During the hearing, Judge Jenkins Jr. ruled from the bench in favor of the Commonwealth, citing sovereign immunity, a doctrine that the judge used to allow the Commonwealth to avoid suit on the fundamental rights to life and liberty and thereby closing the courthouse doors on these youth plaintiffs. Judge Jenkins Jr.’s ruling did not address the facts or the merits of the youth plaintiffs’ constitutional claims.