News Item
Minnesota Supreme Court to convene at Humboldt High School on April 9

Posted: Monday, April 8, 2019

The Minnesota Supreme Court will convene at Humboldt High School on Tuesday, April 9, as part of a biannual program aimed at engaging students about the importance of the justice system and the work of Minnesota’s highest court.
 
Approximately 600 students are expected to fill the auditorium at Humboldt High School to watch the Supreme Court hear oral arguments in State of Minnesota, Respondent vs. Ricky Darnell Waiters, Appellant (Case No. A18-1116). The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a brief introduction from Ramsey County District Court Chief Judge John Guthmann. Oral arguments, which last one hour, will begin at 9:10 a.m.
 
Following oral arguments, the Supreme Court justices will hold a question-and-answer session with students in the school auditorium. The justices will then hold a brief media availability, before sharing lunch with student representatives and spending the afternoon visiting with students from Humboldt High School and Open World Learning (OWL) School.
 
In the weeks leading up to the Supreme Court’s visits, volunteer attorneys from the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society and the Minnesota State Bar Association have visited classrooms to prepare students for the Supreme Court oral argument process, and the facts behind the case that will be heard.
 
“Traveling oral arguments are an opportunity for the Court to meet and interact with the next generation of leaders. The caliber of the students we meet, and the dialogue we have with them, never fails to leave an impression on us,” said Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. “I am pleased Humboldt High School was willing to help us showcase an important part of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. I thank Humboldt for hosting us.”
 
Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1995, the school visits have been an important part of the Court’s efforts to improve public understanding of the judiciary’s work. The Humboldt High School visit marks the 49th in-school oral argument for the Court.
 
“We are very excited to host the Supreme Court,” said Humboldt High School Principal Michael Sodomka. “The students are very grateful for this unique educational opportunity and they’re looking forward to seeing the Supreme Court in action.”
 
Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) will broadcast/livestream the oral arguments and the question-and-answer session at https://eduvision.tv/l?eLgeeg.
 
Humboldt High School is located at 30 Baker Street East, St Paul, MN.
 
Event Schedule:
  • 8:10 a.m. - Media recording equipment must be in place in the Humboldt High School Auditorium
  • 9:00 a.m. - Program begins in the Humboldt High School Auditorium
  • 9:05 a.m. – Ramsey County District Court Chief Judge John Guthmann gives introductory comments to students
  • 9:10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. - Supreme Court oral arguments
  • (approximately) 10:15 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. – Supreme Court justices hold question-and-answer session with students in the Humboldt High School Auditorium
  • (approximately) 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Media availability with members of the Supreme Court in the Humboldt High School Auditorium
 
For more information about the Minnesota Supreme Court and its traveling oral arguments program, visit www.mncourts.gov/supremecourt.
 
For more information about St. Paul Public Schools and Humboldt High School, visit www.spps.org