News Item
Minnesota Supreme Court Convenes at Edison High School

Posted: Monday, May 11, 2015

Minnesota Supreme Court on stage at Edison High School in Minneapolis
Hundreds of students from Minneapolis Public Schools attend

The Minnesota Supreme Court convened at Thomas Edison High School in Minneapolis today as part of a biannual program that seeks to teach students about the court system and build the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch.

The state’s highest court heard oral arguments of an actual case, State of Minnesota vs. True Thao (Case No. A14-1182) in front of hundreds of students from Edison High and other Minneapolis public schools. The event was also broadcast on local cable television and streamed live on the Internet.


The Supreme Court hears oral arguments.

Following the oral arguments, members of the Court held a question-and-answer session with the students in attendance, shared lunch with student representatives, and spent the afternoon visiting classrooms to talk more about the state’s court system.

Minnesota Supreme Court onstage taking questions from Minneapolis high school students
The Supreme Court answers questions from students.

In the weeks leading up to the event, members of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society volunteered in area classrooms to help students understand the Supreme Court oral argument process and the case that was before the Court today.

“The members of the Supreme Court consider our high school visits to be one of the most important — and enjoyable — ways we help to educate citizens about the state’s court system,” said Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea. “We are extremely grateful to Minneapolis Public Schools for helping coordinate this great event, and we were thrilled to meet and talk with so many engaged students. We hope students leave school today with a greater understanding of our justice system, and the role our courts play in preserving our rights and freedoms.”

Members of the MN Supreme Court with students from Edison High School
The Supreme Court poses for a photo with Edison High School student hosts and staff.

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, Minn., in 1995, school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s public outreach and education efforts. The May 11 visit to Edison High School was the 41st traveling oral argument event for the Court.

The visit also marked the final traveling oral argument for Associate Justice Alan Page, who has participated in every such event since the program’s inception. Justice Page will reach the mandatory retirement age for judges later this year.

In recognition of Justice Page’s service on the Court, and his support of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) students through the Page Education Foundation, Michael Walker, director of Minneapolis Public Schools’ Office of Black Male Student Achievement, presented a plaque to Justice Page following the Court’s question-and-answer session with students.

Michael Walker added, “Justice Page is an example for all of us. He has been has been a pillar of the Minneapolis community, a supporter of education, and a personal benefactor for my own educational pursuits through his foundation. To be able to bestow him with a small token of appreciation and recognition was truly an honor.”

“This was a privilege for our students to be here today for this oral argument,” said Interim MPS Superintendent Michael Goar. “What a wonderful opportunity not only to learn about the judicial system but also to see and hear the legal process unfold right before our eyes. I also want to acknowledge all of the hard work by the Court staff and MPS personnel in putting this event together for our students.”

The Supreme 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.