THE SUPREME COURT OF MINNESOTA

Contact:
Lissa Finne
Communications Specialist / (651) 297-5532
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. / Wireless: (612) 201-7637
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 /

Media Advisory

Supreme Court will Hold Oral Arguments

in Wadena October 9

For immediate release

ST. PAUL, MN (October 2, 2013) The Minnesota Supreme Court will convene at the Wadena Memorial Auditoriumin Wadena,Minn., at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2013. In addition, the Court will host a community dinner during the October 8-9visit to the Wadena community.

The Court will hear oral arguments of a real case – State of Minnesota, Respondent vs. Antoine Rumel Little, Appellant – Case No. A11-2319. The case originated in Olmsted County District Court. Oral arguments will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the Supreme Court justices and students.

Attendees from Wadena-Deer Creek High School will be joined by students from New York Mills, Verndale, Bertha-Hewitt, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, and M State. All students in the auditoriumwill view the oral arguments and participate in the question-and-answer session. The oral argumentswill be broadcast live for the community and surrounding schools via the Internet at A link to the broadcast will be accessible from the Wadena-Deer Creek Public School’s main web page and on the City of Wadena’s website. On Wednesday afternoon, justices will speak to students atthe elementary and high schools in Wadena.

In addition, justices of the Supreme Court will participate in “An Informal Evening with the Minnesota Supreme Court” community dinner for the public at the Saint Ann’s ParishCenter on Tuesday, October 8.

Media are welcome to attend events listed below. Please refer to the schedule. Also attached is the “Cameras in the Courtroom” policy, which will be followed during oral arguments.

Since the Supreme Court convened oral arguments in Rochester, Minn., in 1995, the school visits have taken center stage in the Court’s efforts to build the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary. The Wadena visit marks the 38thin-school oral arguments for the Court.

- More -

(Supreme Court Visits Wadena – Page 2)

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

5:30 p.m.“An Informal evening with the Minnesota Supreme Court” Community Dinner (Saint Ann’s Parish Center, Wadena, MN). The Supreme Court, members of the Seventh JudicialDistrict bench and local officials meet members of the public over dinner. A brief program will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

8:45 a.m.Supreme Court Oral Arguments (Wadena Memorial Auditorium, 250 Dayton Ave. SE, Wadena, MN). The Supreme Court hears oral arguments of a real case (State of Minnesota, Respondent vs. Antoine Rumel Little, Appellant – Case No. A11-2319). Following oral arguments, Supreme Court justices answer students’ questions. Media cameras must be set up by 8 a.m. Seating will be available for media.

CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM POLICY:

The following rules are established for audio and video coverage of the Minnesota Supreme Court at Wadena Memorial Auditorium:

  • Notice of intent to cover court proceedings by either audio or video means shall be given by the media to the Court Information Office at least 24 hours prior to the time of the intended coverage by calling Kyle Christopherson at (612)599-3122.
  • Camerapersons, technicians and photographers covering a proceeding shall avoid activity which might distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings; shall remain within the restricted areas designated by the Court; shall observe the customs of the Court; shall conduct themselves in keeping with Court decorum; and shall not dress in a manner which sets them apart unduly from the participants in the proceedings.
  • Exact locations for all camera and video equipment in the auditorium shall be determined by the Court Information Officer. All equipment shall be in place and tested 45 minutes in advance of the time the Court is called to order and shall be unobtrusive. All wiring shall be safely and securely taped to the floor along the walls. Only existing auditorium lighting shall be used.
  • Cameras are free to move around the auditorium during the question-and-answer portion of the program.

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