Students Have Their Day in Court

The Wenatchee High School auditorium saw a full house on Tuesday morning, as students and members of the public turned out to see the oral arguments presented by the Washington State Court of Appeals Division III. 

The court, comprised of judges George Fearing, Robert Lawrence-Berrey, and Rebecca Pennell, is based out of Spokane, but often holds its hearings across eastern Washington. Judge Fearing expressed that this is to “allow students in college and high school to view the court process.” Due to the nature of the appellate court, a decision has already been reached by the respective county’s superior court, and the Court of Appeals is tasked with reviewing that superior court’s decision.

For many students, this was their first time seeing the intricacies of legal proceedings, and several departments jumped at the chance to let students view at least one of the proceedings. WHS students referred included those from various social studies classes, mock trial, and those expressing interest in a career in law and justice – but they weren’t alone. Students from Westside High School and Wenatchee Valley College were also in attendance to learn about court procedure and how arguments are portrayed and evaluated.

Although this is the first time WHS has hosted the Court of Appeals, Wenatchee students have ample opportunities to become acquainted with the law and justice field. The Career Technical Education (CTE) department’s Law & Criminal Justice Program of Study includes classes that introduce students to the field of law, including criminal and civil law, the court system, the US Constitutional system, and employment in the legal field. Additionally, students can participate in career exploration trips to the Chelan County courthouse to gain more insight into the field and explore real life applications of topics covered in class.

For more information on the Court of Appeals oral arguments held at WHS and the CTE Law & Criminal Justice Program of Study, contact Ruben Hart at hart.r@wenatcheeschools.org. If you want to learn more about career exploration opportunities, contact Cindy Murie at murie.c@wenatcheeschools.org.