A notation of whether or not oral argument is requested shall be on the cover of appellee's principal brief and appellant's reply brief. If no reply brief is filed, a letter shall be filed within the time allowed for filing of the reply brief. A concise statement of the reasons that oral argument will be helpful to the Court shall be included in the brief or letter. Any party not complying with this rule shall not be heard orally except by special permission or order of the appropriate appellate court. If oral argument has been requested, counsel will be notified by the Court if the request has been granted or if the case will be submitted on the briefs only.
Oral argument is discretionary.
After all briefs are filed, the case is validated, screened by staff attorneys, placed on a docket calendar and Court Assignment Order entered. Cases to be heard by the Court of Appeals will be assigned by the Supreme Court. However, all cases involving the death penalty, utility rates, annexations, bond issues, election contests, and unconstitutionality of a statute will be heard by the Supreme Court. The case is now ready to go to the Court whenever requested.