Teachers commonly use field trips to foster learning outside of the classroom. It provides an engaging way for their students to learn. For a Government or American History class, students might take a trip to the local courthouse or city/county building to gain insight into Indiana government. Those trips, while valuable, can be costly for schools.
The Supreme Court is committed to providing a unique and interactive experience for students who are not able to travel to the State House. The Court is bringing the field trip to them.
The Supreme Court conducts outreach to schools through its traveling oral arguments. The experience highlights how the judicial process works and provides a lesson on the importance of upholding the law.
The innovative idea of traveling oral arguments is not new. Since 1994 the Supreme Court has held 38 arguments away from its courtroom in Indianapolis. Most often, the Court has traveled to Indiana law schools.
The Court of Appeals also has a robust traveling oral arguments program, dubbed “Appeals on Wheels.” The Court of Appeals has conducted more than 400 Appeals on Wheels arguments since its 2001 centennial, at high schools, colleges, law schools and other venues.
The Supreme Court is continuing the traveling oral arguments tradition and focusing on a larger audience by holding the arguments at high schools and universities without law schools. The goal is to bring the courtroom to an audience who might otherwise never hear a Supreme Court case in Indianapolis.
On November 10, 2014, Purdue University provided an ideal location for oral arguments—with an emphasis on honoring current Chief Justice Loretta Rush and former Chief Justice Brent Dickson. Both jurists are Purdue graduates and practiced law in Lafayette.
In April, the Court held its most recent traveling oral arguments at Columbus North High School in Bartholomew County. School alum Justice Steven David served as the host for the traveling oral arguments—introducing his colleagues and leading a question and answer session after the arguments.
Justice David explained, “We literally take the courtroom to the community. It gives citizens from all over Indiana an opportunity to watch the administration and pursuit of justice. All of us, as citizens of this great nation, are guardians of the rule of law. We hope traveling oral arguments bring a better understanding of the appellate process and greater respect for the rule of law.”
The Court heard the case Phyllis Dodson, as Special Administrator of the Estate of Eboni Dodson, Deceased v. Curt Carlson, Carmel Hotel Company et al., before an audience of more than 800 people. Students and teachers from seven local schools made up the majority of the audience. Attendees also included local city leaders, judges and bar members. Indiana State Representative Milo Smith, of District 59, which includes Columbus, also attended the arguments.
Oral Argument in #Columbus w 800 students from 8 schools. pic.twitter.com/jFkRI8Hs40
— Indiana Courts (@incourts) April 10, 2015
During the Q&A following the formal court proceeding, students had a chance to learn about the day-to-day life of the justices. They asked the justices about the most rewarding aspects of their job and the importance of non-partisan courts.
“You made my day” said Libby Arthur, the social studies department chairman at Columbus North High School and Northside Middle School. “I have taught 37 years and I think this is one of my best education days ever.” Arthur also reflected on the student experience. “I was proud of our 800 students who attended the arguments. They were attentive and had a lot of feedback to share with the Government teachers after the oral arguments.”
Preparing for the traveling oral arguments program is a significant undertaking because of the logistics involved. Security, invitations, press releases, webcasting, and the layout of the “courtroom” and “robing room” on the road must be planned far in advance of the event. The Court’s Office of Communication, Education and Outreach works with the Appellate Clerk, justices and local hosts to ensure the experience is rewarding.
To improve students’ understanding of the case, the Court’s Communication team creates a number of resources to enhance the traveling arguments experience for students and guests. The team provides a handout emphasizing case details and promotes a website highlighting the documents associated with the case—including the appellate briefs and Court of Appeals opinion.
The Supreme Court plans to travel bi-annually for oral arguments on the road. When considering a location for traveling oral arguments, the Court takes into consideration a number of details: whether or not it has visited the location, if the local Bar Association is able to assist with hosting the event, and how many area schools will be able to attend the argument.
The Court is planning two more oral arguments on the road. First, on Friday, October 30, 2015, the Court will hear a case at Portage High School in Porter County. Then, in celebration of the state’s bicentennial, the Court plans to travel to Corydon (Harrison County) in April 2016, the site of Indiana’s first state capital and home to its first Supreme Court.