The Ohio Supreme Court will convene in official session in Crawford County on October 23 as part of its biannual Off-Site Court Program.

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor and Justices Paul E. Pfeifer, Terrence O’Donnell, Judith Ann Lanzinger, Sharon L. Kennedy, Judith L. French, and William M. O’Neill will hear oral arguments in three cases beginning at 9 a.m. at Bucyrus High School. The three cases are: State v. McGlothan (Case No. 2012-1782), State v. Tate (Case No. 2012-1861), and In re A.G. (Case No. 2012-2097). Summaries of these cases will be released in the coming weeks.

“Part of our mission as an institution is to educate the public about the court system,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “By making observing oral arguments as convenient as possible for students through this program, we hope to engage them in a hands-on manner so they can learn how the judicial branch works.”

Besides Bucyrus, five other high schools will participate: Buckeye Central, Colonel Crawford, Crestline, Galion, and Wynford.

Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Russell B. Wiseman extended a formal invitation to the Supreme Court. Jay Wagner, president of the Crawford County Bar Association, is organizing the event.

Initiated in 1987, the program has gained national recognition as a model for education about the judiciary. The program enhances students’ understanding of the legal system by providing an opportunity for them to observe the proceedings of the Supreme Court in person and to interact with justices, attorneys, and court staff.

Students and teachers receive curriculum material to study beforehand, including summaries of the specific cases to be argued. Local attorneys team with educators at each participating school to explain Ohio’s judicial system and to review case materials.

On the morning of October 23, students will participate in a question-and-answer session with the justices. In addition, after attending oral arguments, students will meet with the case attorneys for a debriefing and discussion of the legal issues.

Chief Justice O’Connor said the Crawford County session will mark the 67th time the Supreme Court has heard oral arguments outside Columbus since the inception of the program. This will be Crawford County’s first time hosting the program.

Access additional information about the Supreme Court Off-Site Court program and a video illustrating the program, including footage from past Off-Site Court sessions.