Video: Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Hear Arguments, Talk With Students at Eastview High School

More than 600 students were in court Wednesday morning, but not because of any criminal or civil offenses.

The school hosted the seven justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court in their 35th visit to a Minnesota high school since the tradition began in 1995; students observed as the justices heard oral arguments of one of their actual cases, State of Minnesota, Respondent vs. Christian Chi Ndikum, Appellant (A10-1728). The court should in the next four to six months issue an opinion on the case, which asks whether someone could be convicted of a crime if they are in possession of a pistol without a permit, but aren't aware it's in their possession.

The justices then removed their robes after hearing the arguments to sit down for a more informal question-and-answer session with students. Later in the day they ate lunch with students and visited classrooms.

Prior to the justices' visit, attorneys volunteered to visit Eastview and explain to the students more about what they'd be hearing.

“We are committed to ensuring that the people of Minnesota understand that this is their court,” said Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea in a press release. “Visiting high schools is particularly important because we can engage students at a time when they are learning their role in our democracy and what it means to live in a society governed by laws."