Television court shows present a dramatic interpretation of law, but on Tuesday, NIU will have a chance to see the real thing.

The United States Court of Appeals for the 7th circuit will hold three cases at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Swen Parson Hall’s Francis Riley Courtroom.

“We asked them to come so students can view court sessions in progress,” said Melody Mitchell, assistant director of alumni events and public relations at the law school.

The court deals with federal or constitutional law, and is the last step before the Supreme Court. Less than 5 percent of cases from the U.S. Court of Appeals make it to the Supreme Court.

“It’s an important level,” Mitchell said. “Laws and precedents are set at this judicial level.”

The cases that will be presented are Zambrano vs. Wisconsin, which is an unemployment compensation case, Balderston vs. Fairbanks, which is an age discrimination case and Alliant Energy vs. Wisconsin, which challenges five Wisconsin statutes.

“You can see a high level of cases,” Mitchell said. “There are high levels of arguing.”

Anyone is welcome to attend, but it will be especially valuable for law students.

The United States Court of Appeals for the 7th circuit has visited other schools, but only has sat for five years in a row at NIU’s College of Law.

Mitchell recommends that students come early if they want to attend, because doors will be closed at 11 a.m. exactly. There also will be an overflow room set up in Swen Parson, Room 173.

Each case will last about 30 minutes. No audio or video taping will be allowed.

There will be a reception for the judges in the Thurgood Marshall Gallery following the cases from 1 to 1:30 p.m.

The law school office of alumni events and public relations in the law office is in the process of planning other events, mostly receptions, and is trying to get the Illinois Court of Appeals to come to NIU.