High court goes high tech

Starting with today’s oral arguments, the Michigan Supreme Court will offer another option for those who want to follow Court hearings: live streaming via the Internet.

Live streaming the court’s hearings “is a natural extension of this court’s commitment to transparency,” said Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr.

“We are using technology to improve public service,” he said. “If the public can see this court in action — now from their own PCs and in the convenient settings of home, office, or school — they will be better informed about their  government.”

Viewers can watch Michigan Supreme Court hearings using this link:

http://courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/Clerks/Oral-Arguments/Pages/live-streaming.aspx.

The Supreme Court has long made its hearings available outside the Hall of Justice, broadcasting its oral arguments and other proceedings via Michigan Government Television beginning in 1996 (MGTV ceased broadcasting last December).

The court also offers archived video of hearings on the State Bar of Michigan’s “Virtual Court” page at michbar.org/courts/virtualcourt.cfm.

In addition, the court holds oral arguments outside Lansing twice a year as part of its “Court Community Connections” program.