Albert Lea High School students will hear a live court case from the state’s highest judicial office in October.

The Minnesota Supreme Court will present oral arguments pertaining to a real court case to 10th- through 12th-graders Oct. 6 in the Albert Lea High School auditorium.

Following oral arguments, Supreme Court justices will hold a question-and-answer session with students and visit classrooms that afternoon.

The justices will share lunch with student representatives.

Principal Mark Grossklaus described the visit as a “huge opportunity” for students, and he thanked Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr for his effort in securing the event.

“We owe a big thanks to Randy,” Grossklaus said.

Kehr is an at-large member of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection.

The visit is part of a program that teaches students about the court system and builds public trust and confidence in the judiciary, a press release stated.

A public dinner with the members of the Minnesota Supreme Court and local district court judges is Oct. 5 at Wedgewood Cove. 

Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a short program featuring brief remarks from members of the Supreme Court.

Tickets to the dinner are $15. The dinner includes sweet spinach salad, stuffed chicken, Mrs. Gerry’s mashed potatoes, asparagus and dessert. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available until Sept. 26.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.albertlea.org/events/details/an-informal-evening-with-the-minnesota-supreme-court-1462, by phone at 507-373-3938 or in person at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea said in the release that showing people firsthand the work of the court is one of the most important ways justices educate students and citizens about the role of the judiciary.

“My fellow justices and I are looking forward to our upcoming visit to Albert Lea, and having the opportunity to engage students and local residents about their justice system,” Gildea said. “We strongly encourage members of the community to attend our dinner event on Oct. 5, and appreciate the support Albert Lea Senior High School has provided to make our school visit a success.”