Last Wednesday, the Michigan Supreme Court heard oral arguments at the Cheboygan Opera House before more than 400 local students as part of its 27th Court Community Connections visit. The outreach program, which has previously been held at locations ranging from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Sault Ste. Marie, is aimed at engaging high school students in learning about the judicial branch, especially the appellate system. The event video can be viewed on the Cheboygan Opera House Facebook page.
“Our goal is to leave you better informed about the rule of law and its role in our constitutional republic,” said Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement in opening remarks. “My hope is that as a citizen of your community, you’ll remember this experience. Our form of government can only survive if its citizens stay informed and involved.”
In addition to thanking the entire Cheboygan community and the region for their support of this historic event, Clement highlighted the efforts of Cheboygan County Circuit Court Chief Judge Aaron Gauthier and his predecessor Robert Butts, noting: “Your help and hard work has been absolutely critical in making this vision of Court Community Connections in Cheboygan a reality.”
The chief justice added: “There aren't enough kind words I can say about Bob as a host. It is a privilege to know someone like Bob who cares so deeply about their community; it is truly inspiring.”
The event began with a welcome from Owen Goslin, executive director of the Cheboygan Area Arts Council. Followed by the posting of the colors from the Cheboygan County Veteran Services Color Guard, Gauthier took the stage to award Michael Donovan as the Cheboygan Hometown Hero for the month of April.
Next, as Gauthier welcomed the Supreme Court to Cheboygan, he explained that the Michigan Supreme Court was a key motivator in the building of the Mackinac Bridge. “At the northernmost tip of our county sits the mighty Mackinac Bridge, connecting the two peninsulas of our Great Lakes State. What some of you might not know is that one of the men instrumental in the creation of that bridge was a U.P. lawyer named Prentiss Brown, who once missed an argument before the Michigan Supreme Court, his efforts to reach Lansing stymied by the Straits of Mackinac’s winter ice. He later recalled, ‘That bitter hike made a lasting impression on me for the need of a bridge across the Straits.’ We’re all glad that his vision became reality, but I’m also pretty sure that he would’ve been pleased to have seen the Supreme Court venture out of Lansing to hold Court in different locations around our state, including northern Michigan.”
Attendance boasted a record number of 16 schools attending this year. The146-year-old theatre was filled with students from Bishop Baraga Catholic School, Cheboygan High School, Cornerstone Christian School, Gaylord High School, Inland Lakes Secondary School, Inverness Academy, LaSalle High School, Mackinaw City High School, Northern Michigan Christian Academy, Onaway High School, Presque Isle Academy, Rogers City High School, Traverse City West Senior High School, Vanderbilt Area Schools, Wolverine Community Schools, as well as several home-schooled students in the area.
Building on Clement’s leadership on Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force, this year’s organizing efforts paid particular attention to including students from alternative schools. With the help of former Cheboygan County Probate and Family Court Judge Robert J. Butts, the program was a celebration of a new avenue of stewardship to students in nontraditional education, focused on the social, emotional, behavioral and academic needs of all students.
Also in attendance were Cheboygan and Presque Isle County judges and local elected officials, including 89th District Court Chief Judge Maria Barton, Cheboygan County Probate Court Chief Judge Daryl Vizina, and Presque Isle Probate and 89th District Court Judge Erik Stone.
Following oral argument was a public debriefing session led by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Commissioner Daniel Brubaker during which students asked questions of the attorneys who argued the case. After that, students also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with the justices during a reception.
In preparation for the event, local attorneys volunteered their time to guide the students through the appellate process and the case: People of MI v Candace Guyton.
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