Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School students joined Judges Slieter, Smith, and Harris at the Brown County Courthouse for a firsthand look at the appellate process. First row, left to right:   Aaron Kuehl, Nathan Hagberg, Grace Peters, Liz Halvorson, Emma Christ, Felicity Johnson, Carmella Joshi, Judge Randy Slieter, Connor Bode, Andrew Eckstrand, Jamis Martens Back row, left to right:   Noah Dobberpuhl, Sophie Bode, Mackenzie Frank, Emma Beussman, Judge Tracy Smith, Judge JaPaul Harris, Ezra Spike, Logan Paulsen, Micah Horak, Aiden Weisensel, Ms. Maasz (Photo by Judge John Rodenberg)

NEW ULM — The Minnesota Court of Appeals heard arguments at the Brown County Courthouse in New Ulm on Thursday, November 6, as part of a special visit that coincided with Government Day.

The Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) High School 11th and 12th grade Government class of Rachel Maasz observed the proceedings, which included three appeals heard by Judges Randy Slieter, Tracy Smith, and JaPaul Harris. 

The Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court that hears all Minnesota appeals, with a few exceptions for Tax Court, Workers Compensation cases, and appeals from convictions for First-Degree Murder. Parties appealing to the Court of Appeals are entitled to have their appeals heard in the Judicial District where the case arose. The arguments the students observed were on appeal from District Courts in Faribault, Lincoln, and Lyon Counties, all part of Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. 

This was the final group of appeals heard by Judge Randy Slieter before his retirement, marking the end of a 31-year career as a District and Court of Appeals Judge. 

The Court of Appeals is required to issue written decisions in all cases within 90 days, except for child-protection cases, which must be decided within 45 days.