News Item
Minnesota Supreme Court Convenes at Roseville Area High School

Posted: Monday, May 6, 2013

More than 600 students from the school participate

The Minnesota Supreme Court convened at Roseville Area High School in Roseville, Minn., today in an effort to educate the public about the Judicial Branch.

The state’s highest court heard oral arguments of an actual case, Marshal Helmberger and Timberjay Newspapers, Respondents vs. Johnson Controls, Inc., Petitioner, Office of Administrative Hearings, respondent, Architectural resources, Inc., Petitioner (Case No. A12-032). 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.

“The Minnesota Supreme Court thoroughly enjoyed visiting Roseville Area High School,” said Associate Justice Christopher Dietzen, traveling oral argument liaison for the Court. “Members of the high school and district staff were committed to making this a meaningful learning experience for Roseville area students.  I am grateful for their hard work. This was a wonderful opportunity for both the Court and the young people involved.”

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 Roseville event marks the 37th in-school oral arguments for the Court.

Today’s program included more than 600 high school students from Roseville Area High School. The program was streamed live via the Internet by District Cable TV and CTV. A recording of the oral arguments will be available via the Minnesota Judicial Branch Website on Tuesday, May 7, at http://www.tpt.org/courts/.

The Court partnered with the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society and the Minnesota State Bar Association to arrange for volunteer attorneys to visit classrooms at Roseville Area High School prior to today’s visit in order to help prepare students and staff for the 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 Roseville Area High School students.