Attempting To Educate, Mass. SJC Holds Hearings In Lawrence
LAWRENCE (CBS) – The seven justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court traveled north of Boston Tuesday morning to hear oral arguments in four cases.
The hearings, held at Lawrence District Court, was part of the court's effort to take proceedings out of the SJC's usual residence at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston.
"We are the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, not of Boston," Chief Justice Ralph Gants said.
Students from Lawrence High School, Greater Lawrence Technical High School and Central Catholic High School attended the special sitting. Following oral arguments, Chief Justice Gants and the Associate Justices answered questions from students.
"My view is the more they know about our court system, the better off all of us will be. So, I would like them to have as strong and thoughtful an understanding of what the Supreme Judicial Court does and as to what goes on in each of our courtrooms," the chief justice told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
Heath Churchill, a history teacher at Lawrence High School, remarked how his students had already formulated several questions to ask in class about the Supreme Judicial Court during Tuesday's special session.
"They've started that before we get out of the courtroom. 'What about this…what about that…or what do they think about this?' That's what you want, that's the ultimate goal, right, get the wheels spinning, gets them thinking about it. So, yeah, that will definitely be part of our process," Churchill said.
One student already has thought about a career in the law.
"Defending people, I feel like it's a way to help your community."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker reports
