Photos: Court of Appeal Holds Special Session for Imperial County High School Students

San Diego—More than 500 students from six Imperial County high schools attended oral argument hosted by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One. The court heard two cases before the student audience at Southwest High School in El Centro —People v. Cardona and People v. Webb.

The goal of the outreach sessions is to educate students about the judicial branch and its role in our democracy, Presiding Justice Judith D. McConnell said. Judges from the Superior Court of Imperial County visited classes at all six high schools to explain the cases and the process that brought them to the appellate court. Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California, and Assistant Presiding Judge Marco D. Nunez of the Imperial County court were instrumental in organizing this program.

Said David Farkas, superintendent of the Central Union High School District: “The teamwork involved in delivering the April 5 oral argument outreach program for students of the Imperial Valley was absolutely outstanding. Central Union High School District appreciated the time invested and the opportunities for our students to ask questions pertaining to the Court of Appeal process. We look forward to continuing the partnership to promote civics education to our current and future students."

This program is the result of a collaborative effort between the Superior Court of Imperial County; the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One; the Imperial County Board of Education; the Central Union High School District; and Southwest High School.