Posted: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Over 1,200 students from Western Minnesota participate

The Minnesota Supreme Court convened at Moorhead High School in Moorhead, 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, State of Minnesota, Respondent vs. Jeffrey C. Pendleton, Appellant - Case No. A07-2313.  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.

"We are committed to ensuring that Minnesota's courts - the people's courts -- are readily accessible," said Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson.  "This visit has been a wonderful opportunity for us to introduce the Court to students and to exchange ideas for the future with the next generation of Minnesota leaders."

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.  The Moorhead event marks the 28^th in-school oral argument for the Court and the first visit to the Seventh Judicial District since the Court visited St. Cloud in 2000.

Today's program included high school students from Moorhead, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School, and college students from Minnesota State University Moorhead.  The Fargo Forum will webcast the oral arguments on the afternoon of October 7.  Video will be available at www.in-forum.com.

Moorhead area attorneys volunteered to review the case with students and 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 Moorhead students and visited with students at Moorhead High School and Minnesota State University Moorhead.