Photo by Alan MacRae.
Do you enjoying tearing lawyers apart? Is it hard being the only woman? Have you ever been offered a bribe? Do you ever get bored? Why are your robes black?”
These are not the usual questions that get asked in court. Then again, it wasn’t your average day in court.
On October 30, 2003 the New Hampshire Supreme Court held a special session at Plymouth State University. More than 600 students from 16 area high schools, along with criminal justice majors from PSU and the College for Lifelong Learning, attended the session as part of the court’s ongoing outreach program designed to enhance understanding of the state’s judicial system.
The courthouse on this day was the Hanaway Theater in the Silver Cultural Arts Center. The lobby looked more like an airport terminal, as it was set up with a walk-through metal detector and surrounded by security. All students had to pass through the checkpoint, some being pulled off to the side because a watch or belt buckle set off the alarm. Once inside, they rustled about noisily waiting for the session to begin, under the watchful eyes of security officers stationed throughout the theater’s perimeter.
Following a welcome by Plymouth State University President Donald P. Wharton, and opening remarks by Superior Court Chief Justice Walter Murphy, the bailiff gave the command to “all rise.” The five supreme court justices—Chief Justice David A. Brock and Associate Justices Linda S. Dalianis, John T. Broderick Jr., Joseph P. Nadeau and James E. Duggan—silently entered stage left and made their way to the bench. Court was in session, and a hush fell over the theater as the proceedings began.
The court heard two cases, State of New Hampshire versus Joseph J. Tunnel and HippoPress LLC vs. SMG d/b/a SMG Operations. In State vs. Tunnel, counsel for each side gave oral arguments regarding a traffic stop made by a New Hampshire state trooper on I-89 because he suspected the defendant was smoking marijuana. The case of HippoPress versus SMG questioned the Verizon Wireless Arena’s agreement with the Union Leader Corporation to be the only newspaper allowed to have a distribution box inside the arena.
Following oral arguments the justices recessed. As the justices deliberated—sequestered off stage—students lined up behind the microphones stationed at both ends of the theater for the opportunity to question the lawyers. Many of the questions were about the cases they had just heard, the arguments the lawyers made and how they felt about the questions the justices asked them. Other questions revolved around the lawyers’ education, salaries and “what if” scenarios about each case.
After deliberating, the justices returned to the stage, minus their robes, and sat informally in a semi-circle. Introducing themselves, they spoke about their education and legal experience prior to being appointed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and shared personal information. Then they welcomed a myriad of questions from the students.
Court was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.—MBH
