El Dorado County (Sept 29, 2024) – This week, students from El Dorado County high schools received a rare opportunity to witness justice at one of its highest levels. As part of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District’s Outreach Program, students from El Dorado, Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, and Union Mine High Schools observed oral arguments in two real cases. The event took place in the Theater at Union Mine High School, marking a special educational moment for the region.
In preparation for the event, local trial court judges and attorneys visited American government classes in the weeks leading up to the proceedings. They provided students with an overview of the appellate process and synopses of the cases that would be presented. This preparation ensured that the students were not only engaged but also well-informed, ready to follow the intricate legal arguments and questioning by the justices.
Since its inception in 2000, the Court’s Outreach Program has aimed to give students a practical look at how the judicial system functions. After the cases were heard, the justices held a Q&A session, discussing their career paths and emphasizing the values of hard work and treating others with respect. They encouraged the students, suggesting that with dedication, any one of them could one day serve in the judiciary themselves.
For these El Dorado County students, this event offered more than just an inside look at legal proceedings—it was an inspiring glimpse into the possibilities for their own futures.
