The Minnesota Supreme Court is set to conduct oral arguments at Rock Ridge High School. The court will hear the case of "State of Minnesota v. Hames TrifIvan Contreras-Sanchez," after which justices will engage with students in a question-and-answer session. Additionally, they plan to have lunch with student representatives and participate in classroom visits for educational discussions.
Chief Justice Natalie Hudson expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, "The Supreme Court Traveling Oral Arguments program is one of the highlights of the year for justices—we love meeting students and introducing them to how the Court works." She noted that students often pose insightful questions about the judicial system.
The school program is exclusive to Rock Ridge High School's students and faculty, but it will be accessible to others through a livestream on the Supreme Court's webpage, beginning 30 minutes before oral arguments commence.
During their visit to the Iron Range, members of the Supreme Court will also attend a community dinner alongside local judges and residents. This event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2nd at 6 p.m., held in the ballroom at Fortune Bay Resort. The dinner is open to all, featuring speeches from justices and a buffet meal. Tickets are available online for $25 until noon on Monday, September 23rd and cannot be purchased at the door.
Chief Justice Hudson encouraged community participation: “We encourage members of the community—especially parents and students—to join us for the community dinner,” she said. “It’s a good way to get to know us in an informal setting, ask questions, and just enjoy each other’s company.”
The Traveling Oral Arguments initiative began in 1995 with aims to educate students while fostering public trust and understanding of the judiciary. Each year, it takes place at two Minnesota high schools—one in spring and another in fall—with this Iron Range event marking its 55th occurrence.