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MINNESOTA STATE COURTS

2001-2002 ANNUAL REPORT

A Message from the Chief Justice 2 Supreme Court 13 Statewide Major Case Filings 1993 - 2002 2 Supreme Court Filings 2001-2002 14 Children’s Justice 3 Supreme Court Dispositions 2001-2002 14 Access To Justice 5 Court of Appeals 15 Where Minnesota’s General Fund Dollars Go 8 Court of Appeals Filings 2001-2002 16 2000-2001 Biennium Court of Appeals Dispositions 2001-2002 17 Technology 9 District Courts 18 Public Trust and Confidence 10 Current District Court Chief Judges 19 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE

Minnesota’s judges and court ¶ We have begun to collect data Our overriding responsibility and focus personnel strive to provide the public statewide that will help us assess remains the constitutionally with a judicial branch that is any racial bias in our system and prescribed mission to resolve disputes accessible, fair, consistent, responsive, work to eliminate it. brought to our courts. Minnesota’s free of discrimination, independent, judiciary handled more than 4 million ¶ And we are targeting the problems and well managed. Committed to this cases in 2001 and 2002, and that bring people into the courts in vision, we continue to focus our work continues to try to keep pace with the first place through our specialty on four strategic areas: Children’s increasing caseloads. Five new courts, local initiatives, and Justice, Access to Justice, Technology, judgeships granted by legislators in community cooperation. and Public Trust and Confidence. the last biennium takes us one step closer to doing so, and for that we are We have made significant and exciting thankful. progress in 2001-2002: Just as the work of previous years has ¶ We continue to aggressively seek laid a foundation for this progress, so, better ways to protect our most too, will these efforts form the needy children through the backbone of our future. We will Children’s Justice Initiative and the continue to strive for a justice system creation of a statewide Guardian that wisely uses resources, meets the ad Litem system. highest standards of fairness and ¶ We are ready to roll out the accountability, and effectively provides Minnesota Court Information leadership and access to justice. System (MNCIS), which will serve as the anchor tenant of the new CriMNet integrated criminal justice Kathleen A. Blatz, information project. Chief Justice Statewide Major Case Filings 1993 - 2002

250 Criminal | +56%

200 Civil | +19% Probate | -3%

150 Family | +3%

100 . of Cases o

(in thousands) Juvenile | +46% N 50 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 Year

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 2 2001 - 2002 REPORT CHILDREN’S JUSTICE

The Minnesota Judicial Branch recognizes the links between ¶ Holding pre-hearing conferences to identify and resolve childhood maltreatment and juvenile delinquency, and issues early in the case. adult crime. For too many children, the child protection ¶ Appointing public defenders earlier, so they can more system has become a feeder system into our adult criminal effectively represent their clients. courts. Nearly 80 percent of our nation’s prison inmates have had contact with the child protection system. In ¶ Implementing a policy of “no continuances,” thereby response, Minnesota has taken an organized approach to reducing delay. reforming the system. ¶ Producing a video for parents, children and others that explains the child protection system and procedures in Working “through the eyes of the child” plain English, making the system more user-friendly and Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz and the understandable. Minnesota Department of Human ¶ Eliminating “cattle call” hearings Services Commissioner kicked off the Children’s Justice Initiative Participating where all cases are scheduled for Children’s Justice Initiative in April Counties the same time, allowing more time 2001. The five-year effort seeks to per hearing. improve child protection case 2001: processing and outcomes, and provide Carver Otter Tail ¶ Coordinating vertical representation, permanent homes for maltreated Chippewa Ramsey so judges, social workers, public children—through reunification or Crow Wing Stearns defenders and Guardians ad Litem placement with another family—in a Faribault St. Louis stay with the same family and are more timely manner. Hennepin (Duluth) familiar with the case. Kanabec Washington ¶ Adjusting schedules to reduce Lead judges in participating counties Olmsted Appellate delays, and improving the uniformity have formed teams of people from Courts of reports. the juvenile courts, social services 2002: departments, county attorneys’ and Aitkin Nicollet Shining light into the public defenders’ offices, court Blue Earth Sherburne administration, Guardian ad Litem Brown St. Louis process programs, and others involved in child Clay (Hibbing/ On July 1, 2002, the judiciary allowed abuse and neglect cases. Each team Itasca Virginia) public access to child protection studies how its county currently Kandiyohi Todd hearings and records statewide to processes child protection cases. La Qui Parle Waseca shine light into the process, improve Using national best practices LeSueur Yellow accountability, and help us do a better guidelines, the teams implement Mille Lacs Medicine job for abused and neglected children. changes to better meet the needs of Mower The Supreme Court order mandating children. By 2005, all 87 counties in public access followed a three-year the state will have participated in the pilot project in 12 counties. country’s first statewide child protection court reform effort. In its first year, the Children’s Justice Initiative counties According to the National Center for State Courts, the pilot worked on the following: project led to a slight increase in attendance at hearings by extended family members; showed no harm to children; ¶ Meeting state and federal timelines for finding permanent enhanced professional accountability; and showed that homes for children. media were responsible in their coverage of these cases. ¶ Issuing orders at each hearing, so parties are aware of The Court’s action has since led to local and national media timelines and expectations, minimizing confusion and coverage of child protection issues. keeping cases on track.

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 3 2001 - 2002 REPORT Opening lines to children and oversight; judicial district administered; and locally operated. In September 2002, Washington County’s Children’s Justice Initiative began training volunteers for its new Kids Call To help fill the gap in the meantime, Chief Justice Kathleen and Child Protection Voluntary Mediation programs. Kids Blatz initiated a Pro Bono Challenge for Kids project in Call volunteer attorneys provide immediate information summer 2001 to recruit attorneys and law firm personnel about legal proceedings by telephone to children who have as volunteer Guardians in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. been placed outside the home on a 72-hour health and During two phases, the Challenge recruited 195 volunteers. welfare hold. Upon request, Child Protection Voluntary During an upcoming third phase, the Challenge will recruit Mediation more quickly resolves child protection and volunteers from local corporations. termination of parental rights cases in a non-adversarial Minnesota has become a national role model because it manner. It is expected to improve court order compliance requires Guardians to undergo extensive training prior to and increase cooperation between the family and county their first appointment, attend continuing education Department of Community Services.

Supreme Court Justice Alan Page answers students’ questions about the court sytem at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Hastings, MN.

programs, and conduct investigations and evaluations Building a stronger system according to preset standards. In the past, Minnesota’s Guardian ad Litem system has consisted of a patchwork quilt of nearly 60 different Responding more quickly programs that provide trained volunteers or other paid The judiciary has taken steps to make sure our most needy professionals to represent the best interests of abused children are not waiting for permanent homes. Updates to and neglected children in court. In 2000, 40 percent of court rules require district courts to provide transcripts to abused children had no Guardian, or advocate, though the higher court in the case of an appeal within 30 days state and federal law required it. Because of the efforts instead of the usual 60 days. The Court of Appeals is of judges and court staff, legislative funding and the Pro required by court rules to issue its opinions on child Bono Challenge for Kids, that gap has closed to 20 percent. protection cases within 60 days, compared to the 90 days Our goal is to reach 100 percent coverage on abuse and required by statutes. The Supreme Court has initiated an neglect cases by 2005, as resources and budget allow. internal policy of expediting child protection cases as well. We are building a Guardian ad Litem system that is state funded, supervised and supported with consistent training

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 4 2001 - 2002 REPORT ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Each Minnesota judge handles nearly reported race data at the first court addressing chemical use and 8,000 cases each year, and if the last appearance in traffic, criminal and addiction amongst juveniles. The 25 years are any indication, judges juvenile cases. The goal is to Supreme Court sponsored the July will continue to see substantial understand whether bias enters into 2002 conference, Ending the caseload growth. Since 1975, major decisions made in the criminal justice Disconnect, Advancing the Dialogue: caseloads have increased more than system, and to address those Innovative Judicial Interventions for 700 percent. As a result, we problems, so everyone is treated fairly. Chemical Health. Conference understand the importance of working participants heard about chemical efficiently and effectively by Fighting alcohol, drug use health issues from national leaders, addressing the problems that lead to talked to colleagues across the system crime and increasing citizens’ access St. Louis County and together, focused on solutions to to justice. St. Louis County District Court the challenge chemical use poses for launched the state’s newest adult the courts. Dealing with DWI faster drug court in 2002 to address the nearly 80 percent of defendants who Hennepin County District Court began are under the influence of drugs or handling the new felony level DWI alcohol at the time of their offense. cases in 2002 under the Expedited The drug court, similar to those in DWI program. The court has been Hennepin and Ramsey counties, expediting misdemeanor and gross provides early chemical dependency misdemeanor alcohol-related offenses assessments and identification of since 2000. The program has led to addiction, closer and more intensive a higher percentage of case supervision, and frequent dispositions in a shorter amount of unscheduled drug tests and meetings time, allowing people to begin healing with the judge. Such courts have and recovery sooner. reduced court processing time and Hennepin County Drug Court Judge Robert Lynn Program results show that more than increased drug defendants’ (left) and U.S. Congress- 81 percent of the DWI cases are accountability. man Jim Ramstad (center) resolved within 45 days and 96 Dodge County recognize one of many percent within 75 days. The number people who contribute to of days from first appearance to case In November 2002, Dodge County the success of Drug Court resolution decreased 40 percent (from implemented a juvenile drug court, during a June 4, 2001 38 days prior to the start of the modeled after one in Ramsey County, ceremony in Minneapolis. program to 23 days after). Implied but designed to address issues unique consent trials decreased 73 percent to rural Minnesota. The program has in the same time frame. gained widespread community support. In addition to providing the Addressing family needs Studying potential race usual benefits of drug court, Dodge In 2001, the Hennepin County Family bias County’s courts have received grants Court reduced delays by more than and worked with local organizations 30 percent and significantly increased The Minnesota Supreme Court's to create services that ensure the the satisfaction of the parties, their Implementation Committee on success of participating youth and attorneys and the court. Now, a Multicultural Diversity and Racial their families. meeting is held within seven days of Fairness in the Courts is overseeing Statewide case filing between the parties and a statewide court race data collection their lawyers, and the judicial officer project, which is the first of its kind in Nearly 275 criminal justice and assigned to the divorce case. During the country. Since early 2002, every community leaders from across the the meeting, parties resolve initial court in Minnesota has collected self- state met to pioneer new ways of

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 5 2001 - 2002 REPORT property division, support allocation, requires the defendant to meet with in the process to make sure the young and child custody issues. Deadlines a community group that may include offender “makes something of his life.” are also set for the remainder of the the victim, Native American tribal case. representatives, social services and Reforming the jury system legal system representatives, and Ensuring greater others from the community. The circle In December 2001, the Minnesota Supreme Court Jury Task Force issued efficiency discusses the crime, its impact, and an appropriate punishment. The circle its final report on District Court jury In 2001, the Third Judicial District then meets periodically to help the service and practice (view it at worked with the National Center for defendant avoid crime in the future, www.courts.state.mn.us). The report State Courts (NCSC) to maximize the provided the offender complies with recommends changes and innovations efficiency and effectiveness of the circle’s recommendations. in the areas of jury service and scheduling and calendaring practices orientation, the jury selection process, while making the most of existing juror privacy during voir dire, efficient resources. Among the NCSC’s jury trial conduct, enhancing juror recommendations were to work with understanding, jury deliberations and attorneys and public defenders to discharge, juror stress, and development dispose of cases as soon as possible of district juror treatment plans. after the case is initiated; to widely Among the Task Force’s use “best practices” already employed recommendations were: in one or more counties of the district; and to encourage realistic and early ¶ Implement a “two day/one trial” plea agreements when possible. Court of Appeals Judge G. term of service as part of a pilot Barry Anderson meets with project. a group of constituents Reducing litigation costs represented by State Rep. ¶ Train court employees to effectively Ramsey County District Court Dan Dorman of St. Paul communicate with jurors, and during their March 11, launched a two-year reduced-cost provide more uniform juror 2002 visit to the State litigation pilot project in 2001. It is orientation information statewide. Judicial Center. designed to save certain civil litigants ¶ Minimize interruptions to jury time time and money by scheduling trials in trials and eliminate unnecessary within shorter timeframes and limiting Since 2000, 18 Kandiyohi County court delays. pre-trial “paper battles” that delay youth have participated in the process. court proceedings. Cases are assigned Twenty volunteers were trained by ¶ Provide feedback to jurors following to a single judge who manages them restorative justice experts from Mille their service. to reduce the cost of hearings, Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the Minnesota motions and required conferences. A Restorative Justice Campaign and St. Addressing mental health scheduling conference is held within Cloud State University. The program needs 30 days, the period of discovery is is now working with new computer Hennepin and Ramsey Counties’ limited to no more than 75 days, and software in cooperation with the District Courts have developed a trial date is set within 150 days. Department of Corrections to track problem-solving courts meant to Telephone and interactive video how well restorative justice programs address mental health issues early conferencing is also encouraged. are working. and decrease repeat court Parties and the judge must agree that Yellow Medicine County started a appearances, which lead to heavier a case is suitable to participate. similar program in September 2002. caseloads and greater taxpayer In one of the program’s first cases, expense. The voluntary mental health Repairing communities the victim and offender came face to courts provide options for offenders, In 2000, the Eighth Judicial District face to make amends in the circle. including treatment instead of jail time began using circle sentencing, an The victim has since stayed involved or allowing defendants to erase minor alternative sentencing process that crimes from their records if they agree to treatment. MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 6 2001 - 2002 REPORT Hennepin and Ramsey district courts civil harassment, unlawful detainer ¶ Assigning one court clerk to each are also studying how mentally ill (eviction) actions, name changes, judge, so they can work together defendants are adjudicated. As a and criminal expungements. more efficiently. Clerks will become result, Hennepin County Community familiar with cases they oversee, Dakota County Court now has a liaison from County and attorneys and litigants need Children, Family and Adult Services In July 2001, Dakota County District only contact one person with in the jail and courtrooms. The liaison Court initiated self-help sessions on questions about their case. provides recommendations to the family law matters once a month in ¶ Establishing in-court electronic court for defendants suspected of Hastings, Apple Valley, and West St. calendars and computer-generated having significant mental illness. The Paul. The sessions provide family court orders, so judges and clerks can ultimate goal of the project, funded forms, information about legal avoid scheduling conflicts and court by the State Justice Institute, is to resources, Internet access, photocopy participants can receive a copy of recommend improvements to the machines, and assistance from their court order before they leave entire criminal court. volunteer attorneys. The courts worked the courtroom. This eliminates extra with the Dakota County Law Library visits to the court administrator’s and Bar Association to initiate the Increasing access through office. court innovations program. ¶ Initiating a barcode file tracking Washington County Simplifying court system, which will reduce court In July 2002, the Washington County processes for citizens delays. District Court Self-Service Center In July 2002, Sherburne County ¶ Hiring a fine screener and collector opened to improve citizens’ access to District Court transformed its case who will provide a one-stop location the courts, save time, and increase processing to increase accountability, for citizens to pay fines or negotiate customer satisfaction. Over the last shorten time to case resolution, and payment schedules. decade, courts across the country simplify the court process for citizens. have seen an increase in self- The changes include: Reducing case delay representation by litigants. In addition to Washington County, other ¶ Adopting “one judge-one case” Washington County District Court Minnesota counties like Hennepin and calendars for certain cases, under adopted a new Differentiated Case Stearns have developed self-service which one judge oversees a case Management Plan for felony and gross centers to address this need. from beginning to end. The result misdemeanor cases in July 2002 is greater continuity, fewer court meant to decrease the time to Washington County’s Center will delays, and better and earlier disposition. Under the plan, judges provide: dispute resolutions. require prosecutors, defendants, and ¶ Written information: court forms defense counsel to appear in court to with instructions; brochures; Judge Richard Ahles develop pretrial schedules that meet information about obtaining legal celebrates his 60th the specific needs of the case. The birthday by wedding 19 assistance, mediators and plan ensures sufficient time to couples free-of-charge at interpreters; and copyrighted legal prepare and present cases without the Stearns County rescheduling hearings because of forms. Courthouse on conflicts with other court appearances, Valentine’s Day 2002. ¶ Equipment: a coin-operated copier; inadequate time to conduct computers to access court records; evaluations and investigations, typewriters; space to complete court insufficient hearing notices or the forms; and a TV/VCR to view videos unavailability of witnesses. about divorce, arraignment rights, and a judge’s opening statement Improving quality of for Conciliation Court. service ¶ Staff services: instruction and assistance with Conciliation Court, In 2002, Hennepin County District Court became one of the first courts MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 7 2001 - 2002 REPORT Meeting victims’ needs

In November 2000, Hennepin County District Court began The study reported: a new innovation to help domestic violence victims. ¶ 87 percent of respondent victims were satisfied or very Domestic Violence Court was designed to handle a higher satisfied with how the judge treated them. volume of cases quickly and effectively while providing greater accountability for the offender and the system. ¶ Victims’ satisfaction levels with how judges treated them were at least as favorable as their satisfaction with their Since its creation, it has expedited domestic abuse cases own advocates. and conviction rates appear to be rising. In addition, a 2002 study reported that victims whose cases were heard More than 70 percent of victims were satisfied with case in Hennepin County Domestic Violence Court were favorably outcomes. Satisfaction was unrelated to the outcomes of impressed with the court process. the cases in which the victims were involved.

in the country to begin using the The process has already enhanced that the needs of the deaf and hearing Baldrige Award Program assessment, the relationships between the court’s impaired community are being met established by Congress in 1987 to judges and court managers. It will also by the courts. raise awareness about the help the court work smarter, and In addition, the courts collected data importance of quality and improve efficiency and public service. on all interpreter requests (both performance excellence. spoken and sign language) between As it prepares for the transition to Closing the language gap July 2001 and February 2002. The state funding, the district has Rule 8 of the General Rules of Practice, data was distributed to each judicial conducted self-assessments in each which governs the appointment of district and was used to assess future of the Baldrige categories to identify court interpreters, was amended in interpreter needs. areas for improvement and strategies March 2002 to allow greater flexibility The State Court Administrator’s Office to implement change. The categories when scheduling sign language will help courts and judicial districts are leadership, strategic planning, interpreters. The courts continue to develop plans for meeting the needs customer and market focus, monitor responses to sign language of people with Limited English information and analysis, human interpreter requests and collect Proficiency, as required by guidelines resources, process management, and response data, and plan to report issued by the U.S. Department of business results. results to the Supreme Court in early Justice in June 2002. 2003. The data will be used to ensure

Where Minnesota’s General Fund Dollars Go 2000-2001 Biennium Health and Human Services

Debt Service State Government

Expenditures Court System (1%)

Criminal Justice Education Finance Property Tax Aids and Credits

Transportation Economic Development Family and Early Environmental & Natural Resources Childhood Education Post Secondary Education

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 8 2001 - 2002 REPORT TECHNOLOGY

When the current Judicial Branch automated case management produced is given to the driver as a record of the violation. system was built, Jimmy Carter had just completed his presidency The system is expected to: and the Court of Appeals did not yet exist. Times have changed and our computer system cannot keep up. It is out-of-date, ¶ Reduce time from ticket issuance to court filing from as poorly integrated and difficult to use. It was built to warehouse many as 12 days to within 24 hours. - not retrieve - data, hampering policy evaluations or public ¶ Automatically schedule and better manage court dates requests. For example, a 2001 Legislative Auditor’s report said to reduce overcrowded traffic court calendars. that about 62 percent of chronic offenders are convicted in multiple counties. However, "information on criminal activity is ¶ Reduce staff time once required to enter data and scattered among several databases, making it difficult to manually file paper citations. compile a complete criminal history of each offender." ¶ Decrease human errors that resulted from multiple data But we are poised to initiate major change. The Minnesota entries. Court Information System (MNCIS) will serve as the anchor Hennepin, Ramsey counties tenant of the state’s new CriMNet integrated criminal justice information project. Hennepin and Ramsey counties designed ViBES (Violations Bureau Electronic System), which was installed in Ramsey Preparing to roll out MNCIS in 2001 for parking tickets and in Hennepin in 2002 for all citations. ViBES links court and law enforcement MNCIS will link court records across the state and computers, and allows for: significantly improve the collection, storage, retrieval, tracking, and sharing of court information. ¶ Credit card payments of tickets by phone and eventually the Internet. Early in 2003, Carver County District Court unveiled MNCIS, put it to use for the first time and tested critical CriMNet ¶ Tickets that include multiple charges, decreasing court linkages. MNCIS will soon be implemented in five additional staff time required to process individual citations. pilot counties. Eventually, all 87 counties in the state will ¶ The sharing of unpaid ticket information with state and use the system to link court records. county offices, which could allow unpaid fine deductions Also in 2002, the MNCIS Project Team and Supreme Court from tax refunds and driver’s license suspensions. Information Technology Division unveiled Court Web Access, which provides the courts with Web access to statewide, Connecting the trial environment comprehensive information on criminal court cases. It Sherburne County District Court unveiled the first state-of- allows access to non-confidential adult felony and gross the-art trial environment in the Minnesota Judicial Branch misdemeanor defendant information in one, multiple or in spring 2002. The e-courtroom makes the court more all counties statewide through a single search. Court Web connected, efficient and accountable. Flat-screen monitors Access was released internally to court personnel and will allow court participants to easily view evidence, photographs, soon be available to other criminal justice agencies. videos, and computer presentations. Interactive television Saving time in traffic court links the courtroom to an adjoining witness/victim room for off-site testimony and to the Sherburne County Jail Washington County Video Visitation Center. Washington County District Court collaborated with law Improving access to resources enforcement agencies in 2001 to launch a new virtually paperless Automated Citation System, believed to be the In 2002, the courts began providing more than 200 court first of its kind in the country. Police officers use mobile forms online, which will increase citizens’ access to justice. data terminals and printers in their squad cars to issue Other information added to the Judicial Branch web site citations. Ticket information is sent electronically to police includes Minnesota attorney registration information in a computers, and then is forwarded to court computers along searchable index and the Minnesota Rules of Court. Visit with driving records and officers’ notes. The only paper the site at www.courts.state.mn.us

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 9 2001 - 2002 REPORT PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE

While most Minnesotans have and then opens the program to attorneys went “back to school” to confidence in the state’s judiciary as questions from students in attendance teach students about the Judicial an institution, they remain concerned and watching via live cable television. Branch, the state Constitution, and about the timeliness and cost of Attorneys from local bar associations the importance of citizen participation bringing cases to court and the volunteer to review case briefs and in government. The visits featured an judiciary’s treatment of persons of prepare students for oral arguments. educational videotape about the court color. Nearly 40 percent of system and curriculum guides that The Court visited Mankato in spring Minnesotans say they know little or are available to teachers online at 2001, Coon Rapids in fall 2001, nothing about the court system, and www.courts.state.mn.us Hastings in spring 2002 and nearly half say they think the courts Bloomington in fall 2002. The The 2001 event included a program are out of touch with their Bloomington program was also at the Minnesota History Center, in communities. broadcast online. In Mankato, the visit which Supreme Court Justices met The Judicial Branch is committed to included a community-wide dinner with 350 Twin Cities students. Co- assessing public perspectives and attended by nearly 500 people who sponsored with the State Historical educating citizens about the system represented a cross-section of the Society, the program gave students and its challenges. Judicial Branch local community. The event offered the opportunity to see the original outreach programs reached more justices and local judges an state Constitution, which was than 40,000 people in 2001-02, in opportunity to meet the people they temporarily removed from the state addition to citizens who met judges serve and to learn about the archives. In 2002, Supreme Court as they visited schools and service challenges and innovations of the Justice James Gilbert kicked off the organizations. justice system in that community. event by speaking to 200 refugee and immigrant students from Abraham Minnesota Constitution Day Investing in the next Lincoln High School in Minneapolis. More than 23,000 Minnesota generation The program commemorates the students participated in the 2001 - anniversary of the ratification of the Legal Expo 2002 Minnesota Constitution Day Minnesota Constitution. The judiciary assists the bar programs, during which judges and associations of Hennepin and Ramsey counties in planning the annual Legal Expo in Brooklyn Center, MN. Minnesota judges team up with law enforcement agencies and other members of the legal community to discuss legal issues pertinent to young people such as race bias, law careers, family law, and students’ rights. More than 600 students participate annually. Traveling oral arguments In an effort to demystify the court system to Minnesotans, the Supreme Court takes its oral arguments into schools across the state. Nearly 5,000 Ramsey County District Court Judge Edward Wilson students participate annually. speaks with a student at the 2002 Legal Expo, an Twice a year, the Court hears oral educational program for high school students held in Brooklyn Center, MN. arguments of actual cases in a school MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 10 2001 - 2002 REPORT Other Law Day events included: ¶ Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz joined Bob Stein, Executive Director of the American Bar Association, to moderate a “Dialogue on Freedom” discussion with Ethiopian immigrant and American students at South High School in Minneapolis. ¶ The Hennepin County District Court joined other organizations to provide legal information to the public at an Access Information Fair in downtown Minneapolis.

¶ Ninth District counties connected Students from Thomas Jefferson High via interactive television with School in Bloomington, MN met with the Supreme Court justices and Court Minnesota Supreme Court during the of Appeals judges who spoke about Court’s Oct. 8, 2002 visit. Members of the the importance of law in citizens’ Court, pictured left to right in the front lives and fielded questions from row, are Justice Helen Meyer, Justice James Gilbert, Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz, participants. The district also gave Justice Alan Page, Justice Paul Anderson court tours, held panel discussions and Justice Russell Anderson and mock trials, and set up information kiosks. ¶ Kanabec County court staff Keeping in touch Opening our doors presented a mock trial for third- grade students. Since 1999, Chief Justice Kathleen Since fall 2001, more than 4,500 people have toured the Minnesota Blatz has conducted “Court Bridging the cultural gap Innovations Tours” in different judicial Judicial Center in St. Paul, met with districts, which allow her an judges or justices, and viewed oral Members of the public met with judges, opportunity to learn from the arguments. Visitors have included police, prosecutors, public defenders, experiences of jurors, litigants, and students, judges from countries and others in the criminal justice concerned citizens across the state. including Russia and Armenia, legal system to discuss how the system and They also allow the Chief Justice to professional groups, and legislators communities of color can better work meet with trial court judges and local and their constituents. together. The 2002 Criminal Justice attorneys, increase public awareness Nearly 1,500 people visited the Forum at the Ramsey County of the judiciary’s challenges, and Judicial Center during a public open Courthouse was cosponsored by the highlight local court innovations. house to celebrate Law Day in May Judicial Branch, the Council on Asian- Pacific Minnesotans, and the Dakota Tours include community events, 2002. Visitors received guided tours, County Bar Association. Forum information meetings with local met judges and justices, attended an attendees heard judges explain how organizations, and panel discussions information fair about law-related the judiciary works and then listened highlighting new justice initiatives. In topics with nearly 20 different to criminal justice representatives talk 2001, the Chief Justice toured organizations, and learned about about their roles in the system using Southeast Minnesota’s Third District court history. The event was a hypothetical scenario. and in 2002, the Fourth District recognized as one of the best Law (Hennepin County). Day Activities nationwide by the American Bar Association.

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 11 2001 - 2002 REPORT Redistricting In 2001, Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz appointed a special redistricting panel to redraw Minnesota’s congressional and legislative voting districts to reflect 2000 Census data. The panel included Court of Appeals Chief Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr., Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Kalitowski, Hennepin District Court Judge Heidi Schellhas, Waseca District Court Judge Renee Worke, and St. Louis District Court Judge Gary Pagliaccetti. The panel held public hearings in Marshall, St. Cloud, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Paul before issuing its final redistricting plan on Supreme Court Chief Justice March 19, 2002. The panel’s work Kathleen Blatz and Twin Cities students examine pages from received widespread recognition as the original state Constitution being fair to the state’s major political at a 2001 Constitution Day parties, as well as to urban, rural, and program at the Minnesota suburban interests. No appeal of the History Center in St. Paul. panel’s work was filed. Utilizing technology In 2001, Hennepin County launched a weekly cable television program called “Meet Your Court” to increase public understanding of the courts and the broader public policies facing the judiciary. Program guests have included Supreme Court justices, judges and other elected officials; court managers; attorneys; representatives from governmental agencies, and public interest and community organizations; and the media. The Minnesota Supreme Court “Meet Your Court” airs on Metro Cable hears oral arguments at the Network/Channel 6 in the seven- University of Minnesota Law county metro area. For more School in 2001 as part of its information, please visit public outreach and education www.courts.state.mn.us/districts/fo programs. urth/

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 12 2001 - 2002 REPORT SUPREME COURT

Seven justices make up the Minnesota Supreme Court, also an associate attorney with the law firm of Schwebel, the state’s court of last resort. The Court hears appeals Goetz, Sieben and Hanson in Minneapolis. She graduated from the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Workers’ from the University of Minnesota and William Mitchell Compensation Court of Appeals, and the Tax Court. Justices College of Law in St. Paul. hear attorney and judge discipline matters and all first- Justice Edward Stringer, who was appointed to the Court degree murder conviction appeals from the district courts. in September 1994, retired from the bench on August 31, The Court also oversees the administration of the Judicial 2002. He joined the Twin Cities law firm of Briggs and Branch by having justices serve as liaisons to the 10 judicial Morgan, P.A. Governor Jesse Ventura appointed Court of districts in Minnesota and to various boards and task Appeals Judge Sam Hanson to fill the vacancy. forces that set policy and study justice system issues.

Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz 1998 - Present Associate Justice 1996 - 1998

Associate Justice Alan Page 1993 – Present

Associate Justice Paul Anderson 1994 – Present

Associate Justice James Gilbert Supreme Court Justices 1998 – Present

Associate Justice Russell Anderson 1998 – Present

Associate Justice Helen Meyer August 2002 – Present Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz (right) swears in Helen Meyer to Associate Justice Sam Hanson the Supreme Court during a Sept. 3, September 2002 – Present 2002 ceremony in St. Paul as Meyer’s husband, Jan Halverson, looks on.

Saying farewell, welcome Justice Hanson was sworn in on September 3, 2002. He previously served on the Court of Appeals for two years. Justice Joan Ericksen Lancaster, who became a Supreme From 1966-2000, he was an attorney and partner at Briggs Court Justice on September 8, 1998, resigned from the and Morgan, where he specialized in civil litigation and Court on June 14, 2002 to become a U.S. District Court regulated industries. He served as the firm’s president Judge in Minneapolis. She was replaced by Justice Helen from 1988-1993. He also worked as a law clerk for Meyer, who joined the Court on August 5, 2002. Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Robert Sheran (1965- Justice Meyer founded Meyer and Associates in 1996 in 1966) and for Hennepin County District Court Judge Douglas St. Louis Park, MN. Her civil trial practice included mediation Amdahl (1964-1965). He graduated from St. Olaf College and arbitration work. Prior to that, she was a partner in in Northfield, MN, and earned his law degree with honors the Pritzker and Meyer law firm in Minneapolis and was from William Mitchell College of Law.

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 13 2001 - 2002 REPORT Supreme Court Dispositions 2001-2002

Disposition 2001 2002 PFR Denied 594 583 Affirmed 74 98 Modified 1 1 Reversed 39 51 Mixed 8 11 Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson Dismissed 12 14 speaks with participants in the Urban Other 57 60 Youth Intern Program during their stop at the Judicial Center in St. Paul in July Total Dispositions 785 818 2002.

Justice Page speaks to National Press Club remarks, Judicial Independence vs. Judicial Selection: Due Process in the Balance, were broadcast live on C-SPAN Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page was the and Minnesota Public Radio. Hundreds of public radio featured speaker at the National Press Club’s Newsmaker affiliates carried the speech in a re-broadcast December Luncheon November 15, 2001, in Washington, DC. His 19, 2001. Read the speech at www.courts.state.mn.us

Supreme Court Filings 2001-2002

2001 Tax Court Workers’ Compensation 43 Agency Review Attorney Discipline Civil 5 Civil Agency Review 2 Writs Tax Court 9 Workers’ Attorney Discipline 21 Compensation Writs 12 Granted Further Granted Further Review 88 First Degree Review First Degree Homicide 30 Homicide 210

2002 Tax Court Workers’ Compensation 42 Attorney Agency Review Discipline Agency Review 1 Civil Civil 13 Writs Tax Court 7 Attorney Discipline 21 Workers’ Writs 2 Compensation Granted Further Review 83 First Degree Homicide 27 Granted First Degree Further 196 Homicide Review

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 14 2001 - 2002 REPORT COURT OF APPEALS

The Minnesota Court of Appeals was Center in Washington, DC, a fellow in Regional Legal Services, Inc. in St. created in 1983 to hear appeals from the W. W. Kellogg Foundation Food Paul. She graduated from Arizona the state’s district courts and other and Society Policy Program, and a State University in Tempe, AZ, and the agencies. The Court’s 16 judges work lecturer at the University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Law School. in rotating three-judge panels and Morris. He represented Minnesota’s Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright was sworn hear cases in St. Paul, as well as in Second Congressional District in the in September 2002 to replace Judge cities throughout Greater Minnesota. U.S. House of Representatives Sam Hanson, who was elevated to the The Court strives to provide from 1993-2001. He worked with the Supreme Court. Judge Wright had Minnesotans with impartial, clear, and Nelson, Oyen, Torvik, Minge and served as a Ramsey County District timely appellate decisions made Gilbertson law firm in Montevideo, MN, Court judge since November 2000. according to law. taught at the University of Wyoming Prior to that, she was an assistant U.S. College of Law in Laramie, WY, and Attorney in Minneapolis since 1995. worked with the Faegre and Benson Changing hands She was also an associate attorney law firm in Minneapolis. He graduated with the law firm of Hogan and The Minnesota Court of Appeals saw from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, Hartson in Washington, DC, and many changes in 2002. Despite the and the University of Chicago Law Houston, TX, and served as a law clerk changes and an increase in filings, School.

Chief Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr. Judge Bruce Willis 1995 – Present 1995 – Present Judge Harriet Lansing Judge Gordon Shumaker 1983 – Present 1998 – Present Judge R. A. “Jim” Randall Judge G. Barry Anderson 1984 – Present 1998 – Present Judge Thomas Kalitowski Judge Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks 1987 – Present 1998 – Present Judge Robert Schumacher Judge Terri J. Stoneburner Retiring Court of Appeals 1987 – Present 2000 – Present Judge Gary Crippen (right) Judge Roger Klaphake Judge David Minge gives the oath of office to 1989 – Present May 2002 – Present his successor, Judge David Court of Appeals Judges Judge Randolph Peterson Judge Natalie Hudson Minge, during a May 15, 1990 – Present June 2002 – Present 2002 ceremony in St. Paul Judge James Harten Judge Wilhelmina Wright as Court of Appeals Chief 1992 – Present September 2002 – Present Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr., looks on.

the Court remains a national model Judge Natalie Hudson joined the Court for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Damon of efficient case processing and delay of Appeals in June 2002. Prior to her Keith in Detroit, MI. She graduated reduction. It has also become one of appointment, she worked as an from Yale University and Harvard Law the more diverse appellate courts in assistant attorney general in the School. the country, with nearly one-third of Minnesota Attorney General’s Office its judges being women and three since 1997. Before that, she served Reappointing a leader judges of color. as the St. Paul City Attorney; the assistant dean of student affairs at On March 13, 2002, Governor Jesse In May 2002, Judge David Minge was Hamline University School of Law in Ventura reappointed Judge Edward sworn in to replace Judge Gary Crippen, St. Paul; an associate attorney at the Toussaint, Jr., as Chief Judge of the who was one of the founding law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Court of Appeals. Chief Judge members of the Court. Judge Minge Ciresi in Minneapolis; and a staff Toussaint joined the Court of Appeals was a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson attorney with Southern Minnesota in March 1995 and became chief MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 15 2001 - 2002 REPORT During a March 13, 2002 served as a judge in Southeast ceremony, Governor Minnesota’s Third Judicial District from Jesse Ventura, Supreme 1948-1966. He grew up in Wabasha, Court Justices, and other MN, graduated from the University of guests applaud Edward St. Thomas in St. Paul and earned his Toussaint, Jr., on his law degree at Fordham University in reappointment as Chief New York. Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. “In the early days of the fledgling court, Dan Foley’s legal experience, his judicial experience, his good judgment, judge the following April. He was a Thanking a friend, his good humor and his steadfastness Hennepin County District Court Judge colleague both put the court together and held from 1992-1995 and a Workers’ the court together,” said Court of Compensation Court of Appeals judge The Minnesota Court of Appeals Appeals Judge Harriet Lansing in her from 1987-1992. He also served as honored the life of one of its founding eulogy to Judge Foley. “He was not a Workers’ Compensation Court judge, members—Judge Daniel F. Foley, who just a founding member of our court, claims counsel for American Family died on August 17, 2002 at the age he was the court’s foundation. He was Insurance Group, an attorney for of 80. Gov. Rudy Perpich appointed our cornerstone when we faced N.E.W.S. Realty and a junior high Judge Foley to the Court of Appeals unsettling forces from within and school science teacher in Chicago. He when it was created in 1983. Judge without. In the bright days when the graduated from Chicago State Foley wrote more than 1,200 opinions skies were clear he was all bluff and University and DePaul University for the Court, where he served until laughter, and in the dark days he was College of Law in Chicago. his 1991 retirement. Prior to that, he oak and rock.” Court of Appeals Filings 2001-2002

2001 Agency Family Family 332 Review Juvenile Juvenile 74 Commitment Implied Implied Consent 54 Consent Disc. Review Probate Trust 15 Probate Writs Trust Other 3 Other Civil 748 Economic Criminal 676 Security Economic Security 100 Civil Writs 57 Criminal Disc. Review 43 Commitment 30 2002 Agency Review 94 Family 370 2226 Juvenile 48 Implied Consent 49 Agency Family Review Juvenile Probate Trust 30 Commitment Implied Other 5 Consent Civil 648 Disc. Review Probate Criminal 635 Writs Trust Economic Security 166 Other Economic Writs 66 Security Disc. Review 38 Civil Commitment 34 Criminal Agency Review 62 2151

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 16 2001 - 2002 REPORT 2001 - 2002 REPORT

Court of Appeals Dispositions 2001-2002

Disposition 2001 2002 Affirmed 1057 1009 Modified 21 33 Reversed 266 245 Mixed 145 177 Dismissed 480 482 Other 146 149 Total Dispositions 2115 2095

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 17 DISTRICT COURTS

The more than 2 million cases per year that are filed in Minnesota’s Judicial Branch begin in the district courts. 2000 – 2001 Chief Judges These courts handle a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. Minnesota is divided into 10 judicial districts in First District: Judge Leslie Metzen which 274 judges work. Second District: Judge Lawrence Cohen Continuing a fundamental transformation Third District: Judge Gerard Ring

The administration of Minnesota’s courts is undergoing a Fourth District: Judge Kevin Burke transformation, which will shift administrative and financial responsibilities to one statewide funding source. This will Fifth District: Judge Bruce Gross transition the judiciary from a collection of nearly 100 counties and districts to a single Judicial Branch that Sixth District: Judge Gary Pagliaccetti delivers consistent and equitable judicial services statewide. Seventh District: Judge William Walker Court operations in all 55 counties in the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth judicial districts transferred to state Eighth District: Judge Gerald Seibel funding in 2000. In July 2001, the Guardian ad Litem and court interpreter programs became state funded. In this Ninth District: Judge Lois Lang next biennium, Districts 1-4 will make the transition. Tenth District: Judge R. Joseph Quinn During this transformation, we will continue to provide efficient, cost-effective and quality service to Minnesotans, and transition seamlessly into a state-funded Judicial Branch. 2001 – 2002 Chief Judges

Legislative Auditor: State’s judges among First District: Judge Richard Spicer hardest working Second District: Judge Lawrence Cohen/ Minnesota’s judges on average handle 49 percent more Judge J. Thomas Mott case filings per judge compared to judges in comparable states, according to a Legislative Auditor’s 2001 report Third District: Judge Gerard Ring/ about the district courts. Other findings included: Judge Renee Worke

¶ Minnesota judges handled 73 percent more criminal Fourth District: Judge Kevin Burke filings per judge than the median number for judges in comparable states. Fifth District: Judge Norbert Smith ¶ From 1990-1998, major criminal cases increased 48 Sixth District: Judge Gary Pagliaccetti percent and major juvenile cases nearly doubled. Major cases require about 80 percent of judicial time. Seventh District: Judge Vicki Landwehr ¶ Cultural and language differences substantially or moderately affect the court’s ability to process cases Eighth District: Judge Steven E. Drange/ today compared with five or more years ago. Judge Gerald Seibel

¶ Minnesota’s district courts perform well in case Ninth District: Judge Dennis Murphy processing time compared to courts in other states. Tenth District: Judge R. Joseph Quinn The entire report can be viewed at www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/2001/pe0102.htm

MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 18 2001 - 2002 REPORT CURRENT DISTRICT COURT CHIEF JUDGES

7th District: Judge Vicki Landwehr

1st District: Judge Richard Spicer 4th District: Judge Kevin Burke 8th District: Judge Steven Drange

2nd District: Judge J. Thomas Mott 5th District: Judge Norbert Smith 9th District: Judge Dennis Murphy

3rd District: Judge Renee Worke 6th District: Judge Gary Pagliaccetti 10th District: Judge R. Joseph Quinn MINNESOTA STATE COURTS 19 2001 - 2002 REPORT