As hundreds of students from three high schools watched, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard oral arguments at Owatonna High School on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
“We truly enjoy visiting Minnesota high schools and introducing students to how the Court works,” said Minnesota Chief Justice Natalie Hudson. “These visits are the highlights of our year because we get to interact with students one-on-one and answer their very insightful questions about what we do—and whether they might someday want to do this, too.”
Students from Blooming Prairie and Medford high schools joined students from Owatonna High School to hear State of Minnesota vs. Steven Douglas Nelson. The visit is part of the Supreme Court’s Traveling Oral Arguments program. Twice a year, the court hears oral arguments at a Minnesota high school to teach students about the court system and build the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary.
"It is an amazing honor for Owatonna High School to host the Minnesota Supreme Court for its traveling oral arguments program," said Owatonna High School Principal Kory Kath.
After oral arguments, the justices answered questions from students, ate lunch with student leaders, and then met with students in classrooms.
The Minnesota Supreme Court Traveling Oral Arguments program began in 1995. The visit to Owatonna marks the court’s 57th Traveling Oral Argument.