Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler delivers opening remarks during the Court’s Justice on Wheels trip to the Waupaca County Courthouse Oct. 10. The Court heard oral argument in two cases in the Branch 1 courtroom of Waupaca County Circuit Court Judge Troy L. Nielsen.
More than 200 people, including teachers, students and members of the public gathered at the Waupaca County Courthouse on Oct. 10 to observe oral argument in two cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as part of the Justice on Wheels outreach program.
Waupaca marks the 32nd location Justice on Wheels has been held since the program began in 1993. Justice on Wheels is intended to make it easier for people who live outside the Madison area to see the Court in person and learn more about the legal system.
“Mission accomplished. We not only carried out our work by hearing two cases today, but we also connected in person with many people we otherwise would not have reached,” said Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler. “We are grateful for the hospitality shown by Waupaca County judges, court staff, sheriff’s office and other county officials who helped make our trip a success.”
Oral argument is normally heard in the Supreme Court Hearing Room at the State Capitol, but other locations are selected about once a year for Justice on Wheels. Audience members at Waupaca included students from area high schools and area residents interested in observing the Court and learning more about the legal system.
Before each case, a member of the Waupaca County Bar Association discussed with the audience some of the legal issues involved, how the case reached the Supreme Court, and the process used to decide a case.
Also as part of Justice on Wheels, the Supreme Court sponsored a civics education contest, for local fifth graders. The contest is a fun way for students to learn about the Wisconsin and U.S. constitutions.
The following students were presented awards for essays during an opening ceremony:
- 1st Place: Evelyn Haas, Waupaca Christian Academy (teacher: Kelly Stevens)
- 2nd Place: Remington Cable, Manawa Elementary School (teachers: Mrs. Andrea Whitman and Ms. Melissa Tassone)
- 3rd Place: Harley Young, New London Intermediate/Middle School (teacher: Mr. Daniel Wegner)
More than 10,000 people have witnessed or participated in Justice on Wheels over the years. The first edition of the program was held at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay on Oct. 13, 1993, when the late Chief Justice Nathan Heffernan was chief justice.