News Item
Minnesota Supreme Court Convenes at Worthington High School

Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2014

The Minnesota Supreme Court convened at Worthington High School today as part of a biannual program that seeks to teach students about the court system and build the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch.

The state’s highest court heard oral arguments of an actual case, State of Minnesota v. Roger Benedict Schmid (Case No. A13-0337) in front of more than 1,000 area high school students. Students attended from Worthington High School, Worthington ALC, Murray County Central Schools, Southwest MN Christian High School, and high schools in Adrian, Ellsworth, Fulda, Luverne, and Windom. The event was also broadcast on local cable television stations and streamed live on the Internet. 

The Minnesota Supreme Court heard Oral Arguments in front of more than 1000 high school students in Worthington, Minn.

Following the oral arguments, members of the Court held a question-and-answer session with the students, shared lunch with student representatives, and spent the afternoon visiting classrooms to talk more about the state’s court system. 

“Our justice system is one of the first promises of Minnesota’s Constitution,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. “Our court is so pleased to have this opportunity to reach out to those we serve, and engage students at a time they are learning about their role in our democracy. We are grateful to everyone in the community who helped make this great event a success. 

In the weeks leading up to the event, local members of the Minnesota State Bar Association and judges from the Fifth Judicial District volunteered in area classrooms to help students understand the Supreme Court oral argument process and the case that was before the Court in Worthington.

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, Minn., in 1995, school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s public outreach and education efforts. The Worthington event marks the fortieth in-school oral argument for the Court.

The Court generally issues its opinions on cases three to five months following oral arguments.  All Supreme Court opinions are available upon release at www.mncourts.gov.

Community dinner held before the school event
Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright talks with a member of the Worthington Community at dinner on Sept. 30

The night before the event at Worthington High School, on September 30, the Supreme Court held a community dinner for members of the public at the Worthington Event Center. The dinner was attended by approximately 180 people from around the region, who shared a meal with members of the Supreme Court and heard comments from Chief Justice Gildea and other Court members.