Queen City Forensics Class connects virtually with Judge Bill Miller

Queen City High School students in Forensics Science classes connected virtually last week with State District Judge, Bill Miller. QCHS teachers, Stephanie Chickadel and Teresa McCulloch, arranged the Zoom meeting with Judge Miller as a follow up to the field trips the classes took to the 5th District Court in Linden earlier this semester.

Judge Miller explained to the students that even during the “shelter in place” order signed by Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks earlier this month, court is still in session. Unfortunately, people are still going to jail, divorces are still being filed and custody hearings still have to take place. All jury trials have been suspended through May 15th and court hearings are currently being handled on Zoom and live streamed on YouTube.

Students had previously attended a trial involving an arson charge and were reminded of the evidence and updated on the outcome. They were then encouraged to ask questions of their own. After one student offered up a question about search warrants, Judge Miller told the class that the majority of the search warrants he signed dealt with cell phones and social media. He cautioned them about claims that the content of certain social media formats disappeared after viewing and assured them that those posts could be recovered with a search warrant.

Mrs. Chickadel was pleased with the outcome of the meeting and felt the class gained some valuable insight into how the courts had adjusted during this unprecedented time. Judge Miller added, “I was frankly impressed with the number of kids who participated in the meeting. They did a super job and asked some interesting and well thought out questions considering the distractions they are facing today.”