Maine Supreme Judicial Court justices connect with students in Constitution Day forum

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) -Students across Maine received a firsthand civics lesson from the state’s highest court to mark Constitution Day.

Justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court hosted a student town hall at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta, stepping away from formal oral arguments to give the next generation direct access to the bench.

Students from Oak Hill and Lawrence high schools attended the event in person, while classrooms from across the state joined the session remotely via Zoom.

During the question-and-answer session, students questioned the justices on a wide range of legal topics, from fundamental civil liberties to how artificial intelligence may reshape the future of the justice system.

Before opening the floor to student questions, Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill emphasized that the 239-year-old U.S. Constitution remains deeply relevant beyond courtroom walls.

“What we hope to do is leave you with some awareness of how relevant it still is in your lives,” Stanfill said. “It’s not just an old piece of parchment. It really is a living document that we are involved with every day, as part of our work.”

Stanfill called the town hall an experiment for the court, aimed at fostering civic engagement and demystifying the judicial branch for Maine’s youth.