Court Community Connections Program

For additional community initiatives, visit the Community Outreach page using this link.

Would your court like to host a Court Community Connections event? Contact the MSC Public Information Office: 517-373-0129 or MSC_Pub_Info@courts.mi.gov

While the Supreme Court normally hears oral argument at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing, Supreme Court justices and staff are traveling to various communities as part of "Court Community Connections," which the Supreme Court started in 2007 as a public education program aimed principally at high school students. The goal is to help students understand the appellate courts and Michigan's judicial system.

To prepare for oral argument, students meet with local attorneys, who discuss the case that the Court will hear. After the argument, students participate in a debriefing session with the attorneys who argued the case.

History of Court Community Connections Program

Date	Location
April 2020	Hillsdale College, Hillsdale (postponed to date t/b/d)
October 2019	Traverse City Central High School, Traverse City
April 2019	E. Grand Rapids High School, East Grand Rapids
October 2018	Reeths-Puffer High School, Muskegon
April 2018	Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie
October 2017	Cass Tech, Detroit
April 2017	Petoskey High School, Petoskey
October 2016	River Rouge High School, River Rouge
April 2016	Jenison Center for the Arts, Jenison
October 2015	Paw Paw Performing Arts Center, Paw Paw
April 2015	Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor
October 2014	Macomb County Community College, Clinton Twp.
April 2014	Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo
October 2013	Big Rapids High School, Big Rapids
April 2013	Midland Center for the Arts, Midland
October 2012	Gerald Ford Museum, Grand Rapids
May 2012	Calhoun County Building, Marshall
October 2011	Tuscola County Tech Center, Caro
May 2011	The Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Dearborn
October 2010	Siena Heights University, Adrian
April 2010	Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor
October 2009	Cooley Law School, Auburn Hills
May 2009	St. Joseph County Courthouse, Centreville
October 2008	Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw
May 2008	Barry County Courthouse, Hastings
September 2007	Lapeer County Courthouse, Lapeer

The following materials and information are designed to prepared students who will be attending the Supreme Court's oral argument during its Community Connections Program. Students should focus on the specific case they will hear, as well as information about the state's judicial system.

The Justices of the Supreme Court appreciate the efforts and respect your professionalism, cooperation, commitment to education, and willingness to sustain and strengthen the rule of law.

Objectives of the Michigan Supreme Court Community Connections Program

Students will:

1. With the assistance of an attorney educator, analyze a case presented to the Michigan Supreme Court.

2. Examine the background of the Michigan Supreme Court justices.

3. Study the structure of Michigan's judicial system.

4. Examine the role of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government in making, interpreting, and
enforcing laws.

5. Analyze the roles of the attorneys and justices during the proceedings.

6. Debrief the case with the assistance of a moderator and attorneys who argued before the Court.

Community Connections Program Guide

-- Supreme Court Procedure

-- Legal Terms

-- Information for Students

-- Guidelines for Photographing Sessions of Court

Courts

Resources

Connect

Assistance

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