Chadron State College alumnus Casey, a trial attorney with Beardsley, Jensen & Lee in Rapid City, South Dakota, spoke about the importance of juries and the concept of reasonableness in law during a recent lecture. The event took place as part of the Graves Lecture Series on March 25.
Casey said that helping others is central to his work as an attorney. “Helping where others will not is a hallmark pillar of what we do,” he said.
He explained that reasonableness serves as a flexible but sometimes flawed legal framework rooted in constitutional protections. “Reasonableness in the law is a living, breathing tool,” Casey said. “It’s a framework, and while powerful, it’s flawed in some ways.”
Highlighting the unique role of juries in the United States legal system, Casey stated: “We’re the only place in the world where you have a constitutional right to be judged by your community. Who decides what’s fair? You do.” He illustrated this point with examples from his own practice and referenced landmark cases such as Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co., which helped define negligence and liability, and Katz v. United States regarding Fourth Amendment protections.
Casey encouraged audience members to value their responsibilities when serving on juries. “Who decides what’s reasonable? You do,” he said. “A jury trial and the reasonableness standard allow everyday people to make decisions about complex situations. It’s designed to find common ground. Use it wisely.”
The next Graves Lecture will feature Art Professor Mary Donahue sharing her experiences leading students on art trips at 6 p.m. in the Sandoz Center.
