The Tennessee Supreme Court is ready to blend legal education with a dash of real-world drama as it prepares to hold oral arguments at the Tennessee American Legion Boys State. High schoolers at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville will witness firsthand the inner workings of the state's judicial system on May 28, 2025. This event is a facet of the Court's long-standing initiative, SCALES, aimed at giving students a thorough understanding of the Tennessee legal system, according to officials.
Chief Justice Holly Kirby expressed that "it is essential for our young people to see the judicial system in action and up close," as she acknowledged the upcoming session that not only shows the judicial branch at work but also supplements the immersive governmental experience promised by the Boys State program. In a statement obtained by the Tennessee Courts, Kirby also stated her enthusiasm about the opportunity provided to students at Tennessee Tech. The Boys State endeavor not only lines up mock government exercises and hearings from elected officials but also throws in some wholesome fun with assemblies and recreational activities, because shaping informed citizens doesn’t always have to come with an austere face.
Students will plug into the legal grid, observing arguments in two cases starting at nine in the morning with live coverage earmarked for the TNCourts YouTube channel. The cases involve varying degrees of intrigue, one concerning Ginny Parker, accused of pilfering over a grand from her elders, and another revolving around Antonio Demetrius Adkisson, a youth entangled in a deadly shooting and a marathon police interview that led to a confession, as described in the detailed announcement.
Journalists eager to cover the courtroom drama should take a page from Supreme Court Rule 30 and file necessary requests with Samantha Fisher, the Communications Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. As the students prepare to take their front-row seats in what promises to be a compelling demonstration of Tennessee's legal process, they will do more than observe; they will engage, question, and perhaps ponder on the legal puzzles that professionals grapple with daily, moving beyond the theory into the tangible weave of legality.
