Public Notice Detail
Minnesota Supreme Court Convenes at Coon Rapids High School
Posted: Tuesday, April 3, 2001
Students from Coon Rapids, Anoka, Blaine and Champlin Park high schools packed the Coon Rapids High School Auditorium for the program, while additional students watched the proceedings live via cable television from their classrooms in 40 Anoka-Hennepin School District schools. The program was televised live on local government access channels and will be televised several more times in the near future. (Check local listings for further information.)
The state’s highest court heard oral arguments of an actual case, In the matter of the Welfare of M.P.Y. (C7-99-2017). Coon Rapids High School sign language interpreters translated the proceedings for hearing-impaired students who attended.
Following the hearing, the Justices answered students’ questions. Students watching via television participated in the question and answer session by sending their questions by email and telephone to the Coon Rapids auditorium. Justices also ate lunch with students and visited classrooms at all four high schools, as well as Morris Bye Elementary School and Coon Rapids Middle School.
Volunteer attorneys from the Anoka County Public Defenders’ Office, the Anoka County Attorney’s Office and several private law firms visited participating schools last week to review the case with students and prepare them for today’s oral arguments.
“The issues we face as Minnesotans affect young people as much as adults,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz. “This visit has been a wonderful opportunity for us to introduce the court system to students and exchange ideas for the future with the next generation of leaders.”
Anoka-Hennepin School District Superintendent Dr. Roger Giroux said that the school district is delighted to host the Supreme Court.
“The court’s visit has provided a unique and very rich learning opportunity for our students,” Dr. Giroux said. “The chance for students to witness a real Supreme Court case and then follow up with questions has made this branch of government come to life for students.”
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 demystify court proceedings. The Coon Rapids event marked the 13th in-school oral argument for the Court.