Public Notice Detail

ST. PAUL, MN (March 25, 2002) – The state’s highest court will hear oral arguments of an actual case at Hastings High School on April 8, 2002.  Southeast metro area students will pack the auditorium to hear the case and ask questions of the justices.

The visit is part of a biannual program that seeks to demystify the court system for students and build the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch.

Among the high schools expected to be in attendance are Hastings, Eagan, Henry Sibley, Park Senior, Rosemount, Simley and South St. Paul, as well as Cottage Grove Junior High School and Inver Hills Community College.  Local government access television stations will broadcast the program live to other classrooms in Hastings.

Following oral arguments, the justices will answer students’ questions, eat lunch with student leaders and visit classrooms at schools throughout the area.

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, MN in 1995, the school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s efforts to improve public understanding of the judiciary’s work.  The Hastings visit marks the 15th in-school oral argument for the Court.

Media is welcome to attend all events.  The April 8 schedule will be as follows:

• 8:30 a.m.   Media setup.  The Hastings High School Auditorium will be open to members of the electronic media to set up equipment.  Please contact Chuck Tombarge at 651-297-4029 at least 24 hours in advance to make arrangements.  Camera equipment must remain stationary during oral arguments and should be ready for taping by 9:15 a.m.
• 9:20 a.m.   Program begins.  Judge Richard Spicer, Chief Judge of the First Judicial District, will introduce the program in the auditorium.
• 9:30-10:30 a.m.   Oral arguments.  The Supreme Court will hear an actual case (File No. C2-00-1610, State of Minnesota vs. Michael Angel Rosillo).
• 10:30-11:30 a.m.   Question and Answer Session.  Students will have an opportunity to ask questions of all seven justices of the Supreme Court.
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.   Lunch with Hastings High School student leaders.
• 12:30-2:00 p.m.   School visits.  Individual justices will visit classrooms at Hastings High School, Hastings Middle School, Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Hastings, South St. Paul Secondary School and Simley Senior High School in Inver Grove Heights.