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The Maine Supreme Judicial Court became a unique classroom on Thursday when it traveled to Kennebunk High School to hear two cases. 

In a yearly tradition meant to connect with high school students throughout the state, the court travels to several high schools to hear oral arguments in actual ongoing cases. This year, the court was in Kennebunk for the first time.

The program, which began in 2005, brings the court to schools each October to give students a first-hand look into how the court works, as well as giving students an opportunity to ask the lawyers questions about their case. 

Each visit requires an invitation from a local legislator. This year, state Rep. Dan Sayre invited the court to Kennebunk.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for us and our students to see how the justice system works,” said Scott Tombleson, principal of Kennebunk High School. “I mean, I’m 56 years old and I haven’t gotten to see something like this before.” 

Students packed the auditorium Thursday morning as the court, led by Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill, heard two cases: Bree A. Blalock et al. v. Birchlane LLC, and State of Maine v. Darrel Sproul. 

The first case tackled questions about leasing contracts regarding a rental property in Portland. Bree Blalock filed a small claims complaint against Birchlane LLC for a return of payment after she no longer wished to move into the apartment unit in question. 

According to Blalock’s lawyer, Regan Sweeney, Blalock was dissatisfied with the condition of the apartment when she arrived to move in. 

Students Elliot French and Catie Thombs, both 16, said they were a bit surprised with how conversational the hearing was. 

“It was a lot more emotionally charged than I thought it was going to be,” said French. “When I think of the law, I think of it as very logical and very technical.” 

At one point during the Q&A portion of the second trial, two of the lawyers, Anya Sproule and Rory McNamara, agreed that the location of the trials affected the tone of the proceedings. 

Both lawyers took turns explaining that, since the trial was taking place in front of students and was intended to teach them about the court system, there was more explaining of the law than would take place in a typical courtroom — not to mention a bit more of an effort to be cool. 

A third case that was initially supposed to be heard was canceled, leaving time for students to ask questions of the justices directly, an opportunity they initially would not have had. 

One student asked, “Do you actually get to bang the gavel?” 

“This is my favorite question,” said Justice Andrew Mead. “But we do not have a gavel.” 

“What?” the student frowned. “But that’s the best part!” 

Another student asked what each justice’s hardest case was. The court agreed it was hard to say, but that any sentencing decisions or decisions involving children were among the most difficult.

“I’ll admit it, there have been times where I’ve cried up here,” said Stanfill. “We make a lot of tough decisions.”

Thombs, French and another student, Isabelle Westlander, 15, are not planning careers in law after high school, but all agreed that the presentation was more interesting than they expected.

“I have an interest in the way that people handle these kinds of criminal cases,” said French, who’s considering being an art teacher. “I do think that now I might want to go and look a little bit more into that.”

“I’m not sure I would want to be a part of it though,” laughed Thombs.

Westlander agreed. “I don’t think I’d be able to come up with responses from the judges as quick as that.”