Michigan Supreme Court to hear oral arguments at Lowell High School

Education

Apr 21

The Michigan Supreme Court will convene at Lowell High School on Wednesday, April 23, to hear oral arguments in People v. Curtis Allen Morris as part of its Court Community Connections outreach program. The session will begin at 10 a.m. in the school's Performing Arts Center, 11700 Vergennes St SE, and is open to the public.

The special session marks the 31st time the Court has held proceedings outside of the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing. Students from across Kent and Ionia counties will attend the event, which aims to promote civic education and public engagement in the judicial process.

In addition to the Michigan Supreme Court Justices, judges from Kent and Ionia counties will be present, along with students and educators from 11 area high schools. Participating schools include Lowell, Allendale, Cedar Springs, Coopersville, Greenville, Kenowa Hills, Sparta, Lakewood, Belding, Ionia, and Saranac.

“Our goal is to leave the students better informed about the rule of law and its role in our constitutional republic,” said Elizabeth T. Clement, Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court. “My hope is that as citizens of their communities, they will remember the experience. Our form of government can only survive if its citizens stay informed and involved.”

In addition to the oral arguments, the Court will observe a community activity led by Lowell High School Performing Arts students. A student debriefing will be facilitated before and after the hearing by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Commissioners Daniel C. Brubaker and Liza Moore.

Court Community Connections was launched to help high school students better understand the Michigan judicial system by providing opportunities to observe the legal process in real time.

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