The Supreme Court of Minnesota

Contact: LISSA M. FINNE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (651) 297-5532 25 REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD. WIRELESS: (612) 201-7637 SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155 [email protected] MN Supreme Court Announces Visit to Rochester Area Hearing of Actual Case at Rochester Mayo High School, Dinner Open to Public Will Teach Students, Citizens About the Judicial Branch

For immediate release ST. PAUL, MN (September 13, 2010) – Minnesota residents in the Rochester area are invited to meet the Minnesota Supreme Court and local judges during an informal community dinner on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, in Rochester, MN. The “Meet Your Court” dinner is one of the events that are part of the Supreme Court’s fall visit to the Third Judicial District. The Court is pleased to partner with the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce for the community dinner.

The state’s highest court will also hear oral arguments of an actual case in the auditorium at Rochester Mayo High School on Thursday, October 7. Students from Mayo, John Marshall, Century and Lourdes High Schools in the Third Judicial District will pack the auditorium to watch oral arguments and ask questions of the justices. Following the program, the justices will eat lunch with students and visit classrooms at schools in the area.

The visit is part of a biannual program that seeks to teach students about the court system and build the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch.

While the Mayo High School program is focused on students, all members of the public are invited to the Rochetser International Event Center in Rochester, MN, on October 6 to meet the Supreme Court justices and district court judges and ask questions over dinner. Dinner will include an entrée of Chicken Marsala, accompaniments, dessert and beverages.

To order tickets, which are priced only to cover the cost of dinner, please contact the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce by September 24, 2010. Those registering and paying by check should use the attached form. Checks should be made out to “Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce” and sent with the form to: Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, 220 South Broadway, Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55904. Visa and MasterCard credit cards can be accepted by the Chamber and reservations using a credit card can be made by registering online at http://tinyurl.com/mncourt or by calling the Chamber at 507-288-1122. The invitation and form are also available at www.mncourts.gov in the “News and Announcements” section.

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, MN, in 1995, the school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s efforts to improve the public’s understanding of the judiciary’s work. The 2010 Rochester visit marks the 32nd in-school oral argument throughout Minnesota for the Court.

Who: The Minnesota Supreme Court and Third Judicial District Judges What: “Meet Your Court” community dinner, open to the public When: 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Where: Rochester International Event Center, 7333 Airport View Drive SW Tickets: $16.50 - Send RSVP form to the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, or call 507-288-1122 by September 24 for reservations. Seating is limited and tickets are non-refundable.

# # # An Informal Evening with the Minnesota Supreme Court Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 6:00 p.m. Rochester International Event Center, Rochester, MN

Many thanks to event partner, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.

Registration An Informal Evening with the Minnesota Supreme Court Wednesday, October 6, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. Rochester International Event Center, Rochester, MN Name: ______Street: ______City: ______Zip: ______Occupation/Organization: ______Other Attendees: ______Number of reservations: ______x $16.50 Amount Enclosed: ______

Please return R.S.V.P. by September 24, 2010 to: Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, 220 South Broadway, Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55904 Make checks payable to “Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.” For assistance please call 507-288-1122. Tickets are non-refundable and will not be available at the door.