FARMINGTON – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hold court and hear nine cases at three Maine high schools next week, including Mt. Blue High School.
At the invitation of state Sen. Tom Saviello of Wilton, the court will hear three appeals at Mt. Blue on Wednesday, Oct. 7, beginning at 9 a.m. in The Forum.
The first case, State of Maine v. John E. Sasso, is appealing a motion to suppress judgement that resulted in a nolo contendere plea to an operating after suspension charge. Sasso is arguing that the court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence obtained from the stop of his vehicle because the stop, which was based on a bright tail light, was not justified by a reasonable articulable suspicion.
The second appeal, to be heard at 9:45 a.m., will also ask the court to overturn a motion to suppress judgement which resulted in an operating under the influence conviction.
In State of Maine v. James Morrison, the defendant argues that the traffic stop and subsequent detention violated his constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, contending that (1) the circumstances did not give rise to an objectively reasonable articulable suspicion of wrongdoing sufficient to justify the traffic stop; (2) any justification for the traffic stop was mere pretext; and (3) the results of an intoxilyzer test should have been suppressed because the officer did not have probable cause to detain him.
The third case, State of Maine v. Harvey Austin Jr., will follow at 10:30 a.m. Austin is appealing a conviction for failing to label a tree stand, a Class E misdemeanor crime. Austin contends that when he purchased his hunting license he was given a magazine summarizing Maine’s hunting laws and rules, but it misstated the law concerning tree stands.
While at the school, the seven members of Maine’s highest court will have lunch with students who have an interest in law or public service.
Beginning in 2005, the court has held oral arguments yearly in actual appellate cases in high schools around the state. These trips are arranged at the invitation of local legislators.
In the last 10 years, the Supreme Court has visited 29 Maine high schools and heard over 85 appellate cases before Maine high school students and faculty. In each school, the gymnasium, cafeteria, or auditorium is turned into an actual courtroom for the morning so that the students can observe the appellate process.
Students receive copies of the parties’ legal briefs in advance of the oral arguments, and after the oral arguments the lawyers stay to answer questions from students. When the cases are decided, the schools receive a link to the decision to provide to the students.
The two other high schools where the court will hear cases next week are Hermon High School on Oct. 6 and at Scarborough High School on Oct. 8.
“We are pleased to be able to hold court at three more high schools this year and appreciate the invitation of the schools and the legislators who issued the invitations,” Chief Justice Leigh Saufley said. She thanked the faculty and staff members for their help in bringing the courtroom to each school.
“We appreciate the work that is involved to bring this particular, real life civics lesson to Maine high school students. Of course, the high point for the court is the chance to meet and talk with Maine students. While each community and schools is unique, we continue to be impressed each year with the quality and level of interest that Maine students from all around the state bring to these hearings,” Saufley said.
Read more about the cases and legal briefs here.
Thanks to Sen. Saviello for facilitating this kind of civic involvement. Very beneficial for all concerned.
Are students form other regional high schools welcome to attend?
Excellent opportunity for my “You and the Law” classes to view court proceedings in action. This session will bring reality to the laws citizens should adhere to. Many thanks.