The Supreme Court of North Carolina will hold its May session of court at the Historic Burke County Courthouse in Morganton on May 17 and 18. Burke County was the seat of one of the state's eight early judicial divisions, and the Supreme Court held summer sessions of court in the courthouse from 1847 to 1862. This session, made possible by last year's ratification of Senate Bill 161, will be the first time the court has traveled to Burke County since the start of the Civil War.

Chief Justice Mark Martin will preside over oral argument, joined by the six associate justices of the court, including Justice Sam Ervin IV, a native of Burke County. The court will hear three cases on Tuesday morning and two cases on Wednesday morning.

"We are delighted that Morganton is hosting the Supreme Court for this historical moment," said Chief Justice Martin. "Our hope is that holding these special sessions of court outside of Raleigh will make it easier for citizens from other parts of the state to better understand the rule of law and the importance of courts in their communities."

Due to limited seating, admission to these sessions of court is by ticket only. Tickets are free of charge and available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis at the Burke County Chamber of Commerce. Oral argument of the first case on Tuesday will also be streamed live via WLOS, ABC 13 out of Asheville. Read more about the Supreme Court.