Judges Frank Connolly and John Schmidt stand in the Brown County Courtroom with NUHS students who attended the oral arguments last Thursday

The Minnesota Court of Appeals heard several appeals at the Brown County Courthouse in New Ulm on Thursday, May 8th.

Students from the New Ulm High School classes of teacher David Janssen observed the arguments of the lawyers in two of the cases heard by the panel of Presiding Judge John Schmidt, Judge Frank Connolly and Senior Judge John Smith.

All appeals except for first-degree murder convictions are heard by the Court of Appeals. A person appealing a decision has the right to have their case argued in the judicial district where the case arose. On Thursday, cases from Nobles, Blue Earth, and Martin counties were argued to the three-judge panel. Decisions must be released no later than 90 days from the hearing date.

After the hearings, Presiding Judge Schmidt visited with one of Mr. Janssen’s classes at the New Ulm High School concerning any questions the students had about the appellate process.