On March 4, 2025, the Maryland Supreme Court justices visited Montgomery College to conduct an oral argument in the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center and a luncheon with Montgomery College students in the Campus Center.

The Maryland Supreme Court hears oral arguments twice a term at secondary or post-secondary educational institutions in a variety of geographical areas. The Supreme Court commenced its third year of hearing oral arguments outside of Annapolis with this event. According to a statement from the Maryland Supreme Court official website “The Maryland Judiciary continues to advance our mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all by promoting public understanding of the Supreme Court of Maryland through off-site oral arguments,” said Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, Supreme Court of Maryland. “By conducting oral arguments at various educational institutions across the state, students, teachers, and community members have the opportunity to observe and learn about the Maryland judicial system. I want to thank the staff at Montgomery College for their support of this program and allowing us to hold oral arguments on their campus.” https://www.courts.state.md.us/media/news/2025/pr20250304

Following the hearing of oral arguments, students from nearby high schools and colleges engaged in a Q&A session with the justices, during which they discussed subjects such as judicial processes, their career paths to the bench, and educational recommendations for future jurists. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases: Estefany Martinez v. Amazon.com Services LLC and Fred Cromartie v. State of Maryland.

After the oral argument the Justices made their way to the campus center where MC cafeteria staff prepared delicious meals to accompany conversations held at the table. Each student got a chance to sit with a justice at a table and have a one on one conversation.

I had the honor of sitting with Justice Brynja Booth and two other Montgomery College students. We asked various questions about criminal justice and her law career, discussing topics such as self-defense laws in Maryland, the differences between the state and federal constitutions, and a few cases Justice Booth had personal experience with. Justice Booth was articulate and informative in her responses and showed genuine interest in our academic and career goals.

“Having the opportunity to chat with Justice Booth and other interested MC Students was a fun experience by seeing how the justices live their day-to-day schedule and how they were able to become justices.” says Selena, one of the luncheon attendees.

At the end of the meeting, Chief Justice Matthew Fader thanked the chefs and waitstaff for their delicious meals and exceptional service.