The Justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court held arguments at Northwest High School on March 5 in conjunction with National Judicial Outreach week. 

March 1-10 marks the time that the American Bar Association (ABA) requests judges and court officials to extend an extra effort to meet with the public and youth to promote the theme of “Preserving the Rule of Law.” The statement by ABA organizers notes, “One of the most effective ways to promote public understanding and commitment to preserving the Rule of Law is for the public to meet the dedicated public servants who are America’s judges and to appreciate their unwavering commitment to fairness, impartiality, and the rule of law.

Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk provided students with an introduction to the court arguments, explaining the process a case must go through before reaching the Supreme Court and highlighting the differences between trial courts and appellate courts.

The high school court session was held in conjunction with annual Supreme Court arguments at the Creighton University School of Law.

Northwest Principal Thomas Lee noted, “It is a great honor for Northwest High to host the Nebraska Supreme Court session, which is a powerful learning opportunity for our students. As Omaha’s magnet school for law, government and international diplomacy, our students welcome the opportunity to watch the State’s highest Court as they hear an actual case and gain more valuable insight into how our judicial process works.”

The case heard at Northwest High School was State v. Montoya, Case Number S-19-0660 from Lancaster County. Watch the argument online: https://vimeo.com/396501115