Supreme Court Justices held court arguments in the theatre of Nebraska City High School on November 2, 2022, at the invitation of High School Principal Brian Hoover. Justices, lawyers, and staff visited for arguments to raise awareness of court processes and the importance of civics education in today’s society.  

Students watched the two scheduled arguments and spent the balance of the morning asking questions of the justices. The cases, Veleba v. Mackiewicz (Douglas County) and Health & Human Services v. NE Association of Public Employees Local #61 (Lancaster County) were argued after Otoe County Court Judge Dave Partsch gave students an overview of the court process. The arguments were attended by District Court Judge Julie Smith and several staff members of the local probation office. Students from Conestoga, Johnson-Brock, Lewiston, Lourdes Central Catholic, Pawnee City, and Syracuse high schools filled the balance of the auditorium.

Three high school visits are held annually through the Court’s outreach program. O’Neill High School will host the Court in April to mark Law Day 2023. The Court will also visit Papillion High School after their annual arguments at Creighton School of Law, followed by a visit to Minden High School in fall 2023. The Court is invited by schools that want to host an oral argument – which requires a staging area for a court bench and seating for multiple guests. The Nebraska State Patrol treats the space as an official state courtroom with heightened local and state security. 

Read story in the Nebraska City News-Press: Nebraska Supreme Court hears arguments at Nebraska City High School