On the afternoon of April 3, 2024, Roncalli High School welcomed the Nebraska Supreme Court for oral arguments, aiming to demonstrate to students the role of courts in the justice system and the societal impacts of court decisions.

The Supreme Court routinely visits high schools three times a year, along with annual visits to Nebraska's law schools. These visits are tailored to enhance legal and government literacy among students, exposing them to terminology, concepts, and procedures, including various styles of court argument presentations.

Steve Lathrop, a former State Senator, and Roncalli High graduate, explained to the students the distinctions between trial and appellate court systems, offering a foundation for their understanding during the argument session.

The session at Roncalli immediately followed the Supreme Court's morning argument session at Creighton University School of Law. Justices dedicated time after each session to speak with students about the appellate process and potential career paths in law. The selection of cases at the law school aims to showcase the breadth of legal arguments routinely encountered by the court system. The case at the high school is chosen based on age-appropriate interest and content.

Whether held in the Supreme Court courtroom or outside the State Capitol, all Court argument sessions are open to the public. Audio and most video recordings of arguments are accessible and maintained on the Judicial Branch Website in the oral argument archive.

Watch Channel 3: https://www.3newsnow.com/north-omaha/court-on-campus-the-nebraska-supreme-court-holds-oral-arguments-at-roncalli-catholic

Photo: The Nebraska Supreme Court hears an argument and answers student questions as part of its outreach argument program at Roncalli High School.