A group of about 60 Lapeer West students played host Sept. 23 to a visit by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Young Jr.
Juniors and seniors in Criminal Justice classes were joined by sophomore Civics students as Justice Young spent an hour or more explaining the workings of the state’s court system and fielding questions about the rule of law.
Justice Young was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1999 by Gov. John Engler and is seeking re-election to the high court in the upcoming Nov. 2 general election.
The visit to Lapeer West was arranged by Metamora attorneys Mike Nolan and Tim Turkelson.
Prior to the visit, students spent time in the media center doing independent research on the state’s court structure, getting background material about Justice Young and reviewing the role of the Supreme Court in the justice system and as one of the three branches of government.
During their research students found a number of topics that interested them. “I was very proud of their efforts and ability to question policies in Michigan,” said teacher Carol Noble.
“It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm in the research process. I particularly enjoyed listening to their private discussions concerning their understanding of a ruling and its enforcement.”
“They were thinking outside of the box,” said Noble. “Because there was no major grade attached to this research, I believe that gave them the freedom to read briefs that interested them without the fear of being wrong or working for a specific grade.”
While in Lapeer, Justice Young also paid a visit to a noontime luncheon with the Senior Citizen Police Academy sponsored by the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept. and taped an interview with Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh for the Lapeer County Crime Scene program, which aired Friday morning on WLCO-1530 AM.
