Eight Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) students from the Stevens Point campus and Suzanne Rathe, American Government Instructor, recently participated in the Court with Class program at the Wisconsin Supreme Court established by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Students were able to attend oral arguments for two cases brought before the Court on Wednesday.

One case they heard was State v. Carter. The case asked the Justices to look at how sentencing credits are used. Defense attorneys asked Justice Michael Gableman to recuse himself from the case. According to Rathe, after refusing to do so, the Justices, in heated debate, decided whether or not to remove Justice Gableman. In unprecedented fashion, the Court was divided on this issue but voted 4 to 3 to allow Gableman to hear the oral argument. Rathe said the experience provided a rare opportunity for students to see that kind of action at the Court with reporters lining the sides of the hearing room. “It is always a valuable learning opportunity for our students to experience events such as these firsthand rather than simply reading about them in a textbook,” said Rathe.

After the oral arguments, students met with Justice David Prosser for an in depth look at the Court and to discuss legal issues. The State Bar of Wisconsin offers its program, Court with Class, in an effort to make Supreme Court proceedings understandable and accessible to students in Wisconsin.