News Item
Minnesota Supreme Court Convenes at Champlin Park High School

Posted: Monday, May 12, 2014

More than 850 students from the area participate 

The Minnesota Supreme Court convened at Champlin Park High School in Champlin, Minn., today in an effort to open the doors of the Judicial Branch to the public.

The state’s highest court heard oral arguments of an actual case, Daniel Garcia-Mendoza, Appellant, vs. 2003 Chevy Tahoe, Vin # 1GNEC13V23R143453, Plate #235JBM, et al., Respondents (Case No. A13-0445). 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.

“Reaching out to the people we serve is one of the Court’s highest priorities,” said Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. “Visiting high schools is especially important because we can engage young people at a time when they are learning their role in our democracy and what it means to live in a society governed by laws.”

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, Minn., in 1995, the school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s efforts to build the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary. This Champlin event marks the 39th in-school oral arguments for the Court.

Today’s program included more than 850 students from high schools across the Anoka-Hennepin School District. The oral arguments were recorded and will be available at www.mncourt.gov.

Volunteer attorneys from the Minnesota State Bar Association Appellate and Small/Solo Practitioners sections and the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society created the case summary and reviewed the case with students to help them prepare for today’s oral arguments.

Following today’s arguments, the justices answered students’ questions on a wide variety of topics. Justices also ate lunch with and visited the classes of Champlin Park High School students.