Most students were using their Christmas break for rest and relaxation, but four third-year law students were hard at work researching their case, the state v. Castillo.Nicholas Graphia, Miesha Beverly, Loren Shanklin and Jonathan Brown will test their skills in front of the Louisiana Supreme Court tomorrow. “I tried to keep track of the hours I put in,” said Graphia. “But when I reached 85 hours, I stopped counting.”Chief Justice Catherine Kimball signed an order allowing the LSU Law Clinic with the aid of professor Paul Baier to represent Vincent Castillo in his appeal. Castillo, unable to afford his own counsel, appealed to the court and was denied. The        students will argue for his right to counsel.  He has been in and out of the court room for convictions on misdemeanor traffic violations, including a suspended license, expired license and speeding. He denied the assistance of the LSU Law Clinic claiming himself to be “the most prolific lawyer in Louisiana.” The clinic was granted their motion to appear as “amicus curiae” or as “friends of the court.”Graphia has been chosen to give the oral argument. He will have about 10 minutes to present the case. —–Contact Mandy Francois at [email protected]