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| Maine's Supreme Judicial Court to Hear Oral Arguments at Georges Valley High School | | 10/22/2009 3:22:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Pictured from left to right are Justice Andrew Mead, Justice Jon Levy, Justice Robert Clifford, Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley, Justice Donald Alexander, Justice Warren Silver and Justice Ellen Gorman. (Since this photo was taken, Justice Clifford has retired and has been replaced by Justice Joseph Jabar, who is not shown here.) |
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by Alice McFadden
Maine's Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three appeals at Georges Valley High School in Thomaston on Wednesday, October 28, beginning at 9 a.m. The court session is open to the public, as well as to students at GVHS and the rest of the school district.
"This is a great opportunity for the whole community," says Representative Chuck Kruger, who lives in Thomaston and serves on the Legislature's judiciary committee and was instrumental in bringing the court to GVHS.
For the past five years the court has held oral arguments in actual appeals in high schools around the state. The trips are arranged at the request of local legislators. In addition to the session at GVHS next Wednesday, the court will hear oral arguments in Fort Kent, where four area high schools will be able to attend, on Tuesday, October 27, and at Fryeburg Academy on Friday, October 30.
Oral arguments in three different appeals will be heard by the court on Wednesday at GVHS: The first will begin at 9 a.m., the second at 9:45, and the final one at 10:30. Each argument will be 30 minutes (15 minutes for each side), with a 15-minute recess between cases. The lawyers have been asked to stay during the recess to answer any questions, and the court may stay after the session to meet briefly with the students.
Ed Hastings, assistant principal at GVHS, said of the upcoming visit by Maine's highest court, "It's an honor and a very special event." GVHS does not have an auditorium, "which would have been ideal for this," said Hastings, but the school is doing its best to convert the gymnasium into a courtroom. The court has specific requirements and, yes, he said, there is a lot involved. This past summer, the judicial marshall came to check the facility. There will be another check by a represetnative of the court this coming Monday or Tuesday to insure all is ready for Wednesday's session. "This is taken very seriously, and we are doing our best to provide an appropriate place for them to do their work," said Hastings.
"This is great expsoure for the kids and a tremendous classroom experience," says Hastings. Classes will be held as usual next Wednesday, he said, but any student interested in attending the court session will be able to sign up for one or all of the oral arguments. The public is also welcome. Those planning to attend should arrive before the oral arguments begin.
Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley says, "The practice of appellate law is rarely seen on television or in movies, and we hope that these opportunities supplement the education and exposure of Maine students to the third branch of government."
For details about the cases to be heard, go to www. courts.state.me.us/mainecourts/supreme/oralarguments.shtml.
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