Rules and Procedures

 Boys State Supreme Court

Rule 1 - Representation

1. All parties appearing before the Court must be represented by an attorney who has passed the Boys State Bar Exam.

2. The Attorney General will represent the State and defend its statutes and Constitution.

Rule 2 - Format

1. Attorneys for both sides will address the Court. Each side will have exactly fifteen minutes to argue their case before the Court. Time limits will be strictly enforced.

2. Lawyers may share their allotted time with fellow attorneys.

3. Justices of the Court may interrupt the attorney to ask questions at any time during his presentation. An attorney may not ask any further questions after his time is up.

4. The party challenging the decision of the lower court will make his argument first. The party arguing to uphold the decision of the lower court will make his argument second.

5. Each party will begin his presentation with the following words, "May it please the Court, my name is _, and I represent ."

Rule 3 - Deliberation

1. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the Justices will meet privately to reach a decision. A majority of the Court is required to reach a final verdict. The Chief Justice will preside over this meeting.

2. A Justice on the majority side will issue a written opinion explaining the Court's ruling. A Justice from the opposing side who disagrees with the ruling may also issue a dissenting opinion.

Rule 4 - The Chief Justice

1. The Chief Justice shall preserve order and decorum in the courtroom. He shall have general control of the courtroom and the power to clear the courtroom of spectators in the case of a disturbance.

2. The Chief Justice shall preside over all meetings of Justices when deliberating over the decision in a case.

3. The Chief Justice shall assign a Justice who has voted with the majority to write the written opinion.

Rule 5 - The Marshall

The Marshall will start each court session by rising from his seat and stating:

"All rise. Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye. The Supreme Court of the great state of the Florida American Boys State is now in session. All who have causes to plea draw near, give attention, and you shall be heard. God save these United States, the great state of Florida, and this honorable Court."
Rule 6 - The Clerk

The Clerk will keep time during each court proceeding and insure that no side speaks for more than fifteen minutes.