Supreme Court Guide to Oral Arguments

H OW DOES A CASE V i s i t o r ’ s WHEN DO ORAL H OW MANY CASES GET TO THE Guide to Oral ARGUMENTS OCCUR? DOES THE S UPREME SUPREME COURT? A r g u m e n t s COURT HEAR? The Supreme Court hears oral The Supreme Court grants Appellant files appeal after District M i n n e s o t a Court judgment S u p r e m e arguments during the first two review of approximately 12 weeks of each month from percent of the 600-700 C o u r t September through June. petitions it receives each year. Three-judge Court of Appeals panel hears oral arguments Week one oral arguments The Court hears appeals from occur in the courtroom on the the Minnesota Court of 2nd floor of the State Capitol. Appeals, the Workers’ Court of Appeals issues opinion Week two arguments occur in Compensation Court of Courtroom 300 of the Appeals, the Tax Court, as Minnesota Judicial Center. well as election matters. The Parties petition Supreme Court for When the justices are not Court also automatically hears further review hearing oral arguments, they all first-degree murder appeals are busy writing opinions, from the district courts. At least three justices agree to Welcome to the reviewing petitions for review, accept the appeal Minnesota Supreme Court, reading case briefs for the state’s highest court. You will see oral arguments upcoming cases, and Supreme Court arguments are of a case selected for managing the administration of scheduled hearing by at least three justice in the state. Each Supreme Court Justices justice serves as a judicial M i n n e s o t a because of its significance Supreme Court to Minnesota law and the district liaison and leads citizens of the state. This various task forces, boards Minnesota Judicial Center Minnesota Judicial Center, St. Paul 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. guide will prepare you for and committees devoted to the St. Paul, MN 55155 your visit. delivery of justice in the state. Phone: 651-297-7650 Hours 8 a.m.—5 p.m. Monday—Friday www.mncourts.gov Rebuttal by appellant’s attorney. What happens Typically, the appellant’s attorney Courtroom Minnesota reserves five minutes of his/her during total time to respond to the decorum Supreme Court opposing party’s arguments. oral arguments? Justices conference the case. Please help us maintain One justice is randomly assigned to Marshal calls court to order; decorum. audience stands. During oral draft the Court’s “opinion” or arguments, the marshal decision, which is discussed during Issues of statewide importance are the conference. decided based on oral arguments. maintains courtroom decorum and ensures that attorneys Therefore, it is critical that the Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea adhere to time limitations. Justices draft and revise the justices and attorneys work without Appointed Chief 2010 Court’s opinion. The draft is distraction. Please consider the circulated among all seven justices Justices enter the courtroom. following guidelines while in court: Prior to oral arguments the to review and revise. They may justices prepare by reading also write a “concurring opinion” – Sit in the audience area of agreeing with the decision but for the courtroom. Standing is “briefs,” which are documents submitted to the Court by the different reasons – or a “dissenting prohibited during oral opinion” – disagreeing with the parties involved. Briefs explain arguments. the legal questions and points of majority opinion. Remain silent during the Justice G. Barry Justice David L. view that the attorneys will proceedings. Anderson Lillehaug argue. The justices are seated Opinion filed with Clerk of You may not eat, drink, chew Appointed 2004 Appointed 2013 in order of seniority, with the Appellate Courts, released to the gum or use tobacco in the Chief Justice in the middle of the parties and the public via the courtroom. bench. Judicial Branch web site, Remove hats before entering www.mncourts.gov. Though no the courtroom. one knows exactly when the Court Appellant’s attorney argues No demonstrations are will hand down its decision, the case. The attorney allowed, including signs, representing the appealing party opinions are generally released banners or displays of Justice Natalie E. Justice Margaret H. answers justices’ questions about 3-5 months following oral symbols. Hudson Chutich about his/her legal argument. arguments. Electronic recording devices Appointed 2015 Appointed 2016 Thirty-five minutes are allotted. are prohibited, except when permission is given to the Respondent’s attorney argues media. and answers justices’ Turn off all cell phones before entering the questions. Twenty-five minutes are allotted. courtroom. Minnesota Judicial Center, St. Paul Justice Anne K. Justice Paul C. McKeig Thissen Appointed 2016 Appointed 2018 .

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