The knock of a gavel rang through the auditorium inside Anoka High School on Wednesday.  With that, court was in session.

The Minnesota Supreme Court convened on the high school’s stage, while roughly 850 students watched and learned.

“I thought it was really cool, especially as someone who is interested in being a lawyer,” said Grace Matson, a senior at Anoka High School who sat in on the court proceedings.

“I think for anyone who saw it today and wants to go into law, this is really like kind of the best opportunity to look back on and be like, oh yeah, that's kind of how it works.”

The Minnesota Supreme Court heard oral arguments from an actual case, State of Minnesota v. Cortney John Edstrom. Afterwards the justices fielded dozens of questions from curious students.

Justice Margaret Chutich turned out to be the surprise headliner of the day, when she walked on stage wearing her very own 1975 Anoka High School letter jacket. Chutich herself was an Anoka graduate.

“I was very proud,” said Chutich.

“This is my high school and look at these smart kids! Because I thought they really asked very intelligent question, really thoughtful questions, and you know, meaningful questions. So I was delighted to see that.”

Kitri Lindberg, a junior at Anoka High School, came away inspired.

“I thought it was super interesting. It's kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing,” said Lindberg.

Engaging with students and inspiring young people to consider a career in law is ultimately the purpose for the traveling court. Since 1995, the Minnesota Supreme Court has taken oral arguments to more than 40 schools throughout the state. This was the first time court convened at Anoka High School. Students from several schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District attended the event.

“When I went to this school, I didn't think of being a lawyer, it didn't occur to me,” said Justice Chutich.

“So I hope there are other Margaret Chutich's out there, who saw this and think, ‘you know, I could do this.’”

Kitri Lindberg may be one of those students.

“It's always been something that was kind of in the back of my mind, like, oh that would be really cool to do that,” she said.

“And now, seeing it, it makes my dreams almost, like, seem more possible.”

Jennifer Anderson reporting
janderson@ctncoonrapids.com