Milwaukee high school students will have a rare opportunity to see Wisconsin’s appellate courts in action when the Court of Appeals District I hold oral argument at Rufus King International High School on March 19.
The event is part of a civics education program modeled after the Justice on Wheels initiative, which brings court proceedings out of traditional courtrooms and into schools and communities. More than 100 Milwaukee Public Schools students are expected to attend.
Oral argument is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. A brief introduction explaining the appellate process will take place just before the hearing. The court will hear argument in State of Wisconsin v. Kimberly D. Zapata, Case No. 2025AP425.
After the argument, students will take part in a moderated question and answer session with the judges and attorneys. The discussion will focus on the judicial process, careers in the law, and the role of courts in the community.
The program will conclude with a presentation honoring Chief Judge Maxine A. White, who is retiring after more than three decades of judicial service. Judge White’s judicial career will be featured in a future edition of the Third Branch newsletter.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov