What is oral argument in the context of legal proceedings?

Oral argument refers to the process in legal proceedings where attorneys present their positions to the court verbally, allowing them to directly engage with the judges or justices. During this time, lawyers have the opportunity to explain their case, clarify key points from their written submissions, and respond to questions posed by the court. This is a vital aspect of the judicial process as it enables a dynamic discussion of the case and helps the judges understand the arguments in real-time.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different processes within the legal framework. For instance, submitting written documents is a separate procedural step that does not involve verbal interaction. A formal document submitted by the court does not reflect the attorneys' arguments but rather the decisions or orders made by the judges. Similarly, a public announcement of court decisions happens after a ruling has been made and does not involve the attorneys’ presentations or arguments. Thus, the focus on verbal exchange with the court distinctly characterizes oral argument, making it the correct concept in this context.