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High School Sessions
Each year since 2005, the seven Justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court have held oral arguments in appeals of real cases in high schools around the state. The arguments are arranged at the invitation of local legislators, members of the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate.
Over the years, the Court has traveled from Fort Kent to Biddeford and from Fryeburg to Eastport, visiting schools there and in many cities, towns, and villages in between, throughout our large and beautiful state. As of 2017, the Supreme Judicial Court has visited 35 Maine high schools and heard over 105 appeals in those schools.
In each school, the gymnasium, cafeteria, or auditorium is turned into a "courtroom" where the students can observe the appellate process. Students receive copies of the parties' legal briefs in advance of the arguments, so that they can follow the rapid questions and answers that constitute an oral argument. After the arguments the lawyers stay in the courtroom to answer questions from the students about what they just saw and heard. When the cases are decided, the schools receive a link to the Court's opinion to provide to the students.
Creating a real courtroom in a high school is a challenge, and the justices appreciate all of the work undertaken by the faculty and staff at each school to bring this particular, real life civics lesson to Maine high school students. The justices also appreciate having the opportunity to meet and talk with Maine students and their teachers after the arguments. They cannot, of course, talk about the specific cases, but the justices are always impressed with the quality and level of interest that Maine students from across the state bring to these hearings.
For more information on the high school visits, contact Julia Finn at julia.finn@courts.maine.gov.
| YEAR | SCHOOL | LEGISLATIVE INVITATION FROM |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caribou HS | Rep. John Martin |
| 2006 | South Portland HS Lewiston HS |
Rep. Jane Eberle Sen. Peggy Rotundo |
| 2007 | Hampden Academy Thornton Academy Falmouth HS |
Sen. Plowman, Rep. Tardy Sen. Hobbins, Rep. Linda Valentino Sen. Turner, Rep. Brautigan |
| 2008 | Sanford HS Cony HS (Augusta) Winthrop HS Bangor HS Shead HS (Eastport) |
Sen. Nass, Rep. Nass, Rep. Boland Sen. Libby Mitchell Rep. Patrick Flood Rep. Perry Sen. Kevin Raye |
| 2009 | Fryeburg Academy Ft. Kent (4HS) Georges Valley (Thomaston) |
Sen. Dave Hastings Rep. John Martin Rep. Chuck Kruger |
| 2010 | Edward Little HS (Auburn) Windham HS Waterville HS |
Sen. Deb Simpson, Rep. Mike Beaulieu Sen. Bill Diamond, Rep. Mark Bryant Rep. Pam Trinward |
| 2011 | Deering HS (Portland) Richmond HS Lisbon HS |
Sen. Justin Alfond Sen. Seth Goodall, Rep. Seth Berry Sen. Garrett Mason |
| 2012 | Brunswick HS Biddeford HS Bucksport HS |
Rep. Priest, Sen. Gerzofsky Rep. Rochello, Rep. Casavant Sen. Richard Rosen, Rep. Kim Rosen |
| 2013 | Orono HS Nokomis (Newport) Cape Elizabeth HS |
Sen. Cain, Rep. Frey, Rep. Guerin Rep. Fredette Sen. Millett, Rep. Monaghan-Derrig |
| 2014 | Lincoln-Mattanwacook Academy Presque Isle HS Yarmouth HS |
Sen. Emily Cain Rep. Alex Willette Sen. Dick Woodbury |
| 2015 | Mt. Blue HS (Farmington) Hermon HS Scarborough HS |
Sen. Tom Saviello Sen. Geoff Gratwick Sen. Amy Volk |
| 2016 | Washington Academy (East Machias) Fort Kent (4 schools) Marshwood HS (South Berwick) |
Sen. David Burns Rep. John Martin Rep. Roberta Beavers |
| 2017 | Freeport HS Mountain Valley HS (Rumford) |
Sen. Majority Leader Garrett Mason, Speaker of the House Sara Gideon Sen. Lisa Keim |
| 2018 | Westbrook HS | Rep. Drew Gattine |
| 2018 | Wells HS | Sen. Ronald Collins, Rep Robert Foley |
| 2019 | Sanford HS | Rep Anne-Marie Mastraccio |