The Supreme Judicial Court will hold oral arguments at three Maine high schools next week, hearing a total of nine cases.
On Tuesday, October 8, starting at 9:00 a.m., the Court will visit Messalonskee High School in Oakland to hear arguments in three appellate cases. Representative Bob Nutting extended the invitation to the Law Court. The cases are scheduled for 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
The Court will then hear three appeals at Deering High School in Portland on Wednesday, October 9, invited by Representative Sam Zager. The schedule remains the same with arguments at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
On Thursday, October 10, the Court will hear three cases at Lewiston High School at the invitation of Senator Peggy Rotundo and Representative Kristen Cloutier. The first case starts at 9:00 a.m.
Students receive copies of the briefs beforehand and have an opportunity to ask questions after each argument. Schools later receive links to the decisions to share with students once the cases are decided.
Since 2005, the Court has held oral arguments in actual appellate cases at over 40 Maine high schools. In each instance, school facilities such as gymnasiums or auditoriums are transformed into courtrooms for students to observe the appellate process. The initiative has reached schools across various counties including York County, Aroostook County, Oxford County, and Washington County.
Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill stated, "We hope that providing real-time exposure to the third branch of government supplements the students' civics education and exposes Maine learners to the concept of justice. The practice of appellate law is rarely seen on television or in movies. Creating a courtroom environment in a high school takes great effort on the part of the school administration and staff and we appreciate their extensive efforts. We also enjoy getting out of the courtroom and into the community."
The press is welcome to attend these sessions. The case schedule is available on the Courts website.
Live video streaming of these sessions and all other Supreme Judicial Court oral arguments can be accessed online.
For interviews or photographs during these events, contact Julie Finn ahead of time via email at julia.finn@courts.maine.gov or phone (207) 822-0767 (office). Photographs and videos involving students must comply with high school rules; press should coordinate directly with school officials.