The hearing begins with an “all rise.” Seven berobed justices file in to take their seats.

Attorneys step up to a lectern, citing settled cases to bolster their arguments for competing interpretations of the law. Seated in front of them, the justices pose questions, scrutinizing each argument.

The hearing adjourns.

Everything described so far was part of a real case that came before the Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday. What set the hearing apart is where it took place — not in the court’s St. Paul chambers, but at Owatonna High School.

An auditorium full of students watched the proceedings, part of the Supreme Court’s traveling oral arguments series. Twice per year, justices visit schools in the Twin Cities area and Greater Minnesota to educate young people about their work.

The

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