Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley, left, Justice Andrew Mead, center, and Justice Robert Clifford, right, meet with other Maine Supreme Judical Court justices behind the scenes at Bangor High School before hearing oral arguments in several cases there Wednesday, October 29, 2008.
BANGOR — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court convened this morning in Peakes Auditorium at Bangor High School. It was the fourth stop at a high school this month for the court’s seven justices.
Between 300 and 400 students and a handful of community members attended the nearly three-hour session.
Bill Ames, the chairman of the history department, said the entire junior class and about 30 students enrolled in the Senior Seminar course that focuses on government and politics also attended.
“It's urgent that the kids get to interact with government,” he said. “They see government not as it is written about in some textbook, but in action.”
State Sen. Joseph Perry, D-Bangor, invited the court to hold a session at BHS in February when Chief Justice Leigh I. Safely delivered her annual State of the Judiciary address.
“Working in the Legislature for the past 12 years, it is second nature for me to see the public at hearings and debates,” Perry said earlier this week. “Maine’s legislative process even provides the pubic with several ways to listen or watch debates live online.
“When I learned that there may be an opportunity for a handful of schools in our state to have a better opportunity to see Maine's Law Court in action,” he continued, “I helped make arrangements for Bangor High School to be considered.”
During a break between sessions, Perry said he was surprised at how often the justices interrupted the attorneys as they argued their cases. Perry, as Senate chairman of the Taxation Committee, said that committee members do not interrupt speakers at Legislative hearings except to tell them their allotted time was up.
The court has gone on the road each fall for the past three years to educate high school students and the public about what it does. The court is visiting five schools this year, up from three last year.
In Bangor, the court heard oral arguments in appeals in three different cases, two criminal cases out of Hancock County and an estate case out of Waldo County Probate Court.
The justices are scheduled to convene in the gymnasium at Shead High School in Eastport at 9 a.m. Thursday.
On 10/29/08 at 3:20 PM,
mariahstorm wrote:
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this is the most socialistic move on the part of our SUPREME COURT JUSTICES!!! first of all, they do not belong off their bench when they are hearing cases. I believe that the Courthouse is where criminals of any kind should be heard...criminals do not need to be brought to schools!! hold a class and bring the students to the courthouse so they can see the REALITY not a staged presentation.... and tv in the courtroom is far from freedom of facing your accuser....
On 10/29/08 at 3:21 PM,
mariahstorm wrote:
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ps: do they have nothing better to do???? our courts i hear are swarmed in backlogged cases!!!
On 10/29/08 at 4:07 PM,
Gillian wrote:
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I think it's a great idea to bring the justice system to the high schools to give students a sense of how it's done! My reading of the article doesn't sound like the business was 'staged'. I thought the Justices WERE doing the same work that they would at the courthouse. Really, is the place more important that the work?? I think it's fantastic that our Supreme Court Justices jump on the chance to share what they do with high school students in an environment that is familiar to the students so they can focus on the proceedings and not the decor!
On 10/29/08 at 4:12 PM,
Bangorean wrote:
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The Supremes only hear appeals, and quite a few a month, actually. An appeal is where a lower court case ruling has been challenged by one of the parties, whether civil or criminal, and only the Attorneys representing the client appear and argue whether there was error in the ruling by the Court below. The Supremes travel around the State to different schools to hear the cases, which is educational as well as allows other persons in Maine the opportunity to see the workings of the highest Court of the State. It is not a staged presentation. The arguments are made by both sides, questions are asked by the Justices, the case ends and the Justices will render a written opinion some time in the future. Generally, no decisions are made at these Oral Arguments. All I can say is wow!
On 10/29/08 at 4:24 PM,
Bangorean wrote:
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It isn't staged and it isn't a "trial." It's an appellate process. Parties argue whether there was error in a lower court ruling, and only the Attorneys for the parties speak. Usually the parties aren't even present. The public is allowed to observe. The Justices hear oral argument, ask questions and render a written decision at some point in the future. Holding these oral arguments at various locations around the State is educational and affords citizens an opportunity to view and understand the process, rather than continually holding such arguments in the hallowed halls. Mariah does not understand what they're doing.
On 10/29/08 at 4:25 PM,
Bangorean wrote:
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Sorry 'bout that. Thought the first one didn't take.
On 10/29/08 at 5:21 PM,
PaleShadows wrote:
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Socialistic move?? What?? Mariahstorm, you must have read a different article or slept through goverment class...perhaps both? Sounds like a failed attempt to take a jab the dems.
This isnt staged, there are no trials and there certainly are no criminals present.
Agreed Bangorian....WOW indeed!!
On 11/1/08 at 1:04 PM,
mariahstorm wrote:
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Appeals or otherwise...... they are making mockery of our court system!!!!! these pompous superiors, turning activists/performer, have so little to do????.
Civic courses and problems of democracy belong taught within the school system where it WAS, always taught!!! OH GEE! some brave soul stopped the education of Government, right here in this state. Maybe to get them into some senators new school??? Smarten up Maine!!!
Government does not belong in our school systems AT ALL!
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