Showing posts with label courts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label courts. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2008
Some judges getting fed up with legislative budget cuts
Minnesota Lawyer has an interesting piece this week on the Judicial Council debate last week on whether or not to impose a moratorium on all civil jury trials. The discussion occurred at a Judicial Council meeting held during the Minnesota State Bar Association's annual convention in Duluth. The council ultimately rejected the idea, but not before some frustration was vented about lawmakers' treatment of the courts in the budget process. (Click here to see the article.)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Nobody's home in SE Minnesota court offices
If you’re in southeastern Minnesota, and you’ve got business at the Winona County Courthouse this (Wednesday) morning….you might as well crawl back under the covers for a few hours.
Starting today, both the phones and the counters at the courthouse will sit unmanned every Wednesday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., a consequence of budget cuts in the Third Judicial District. In fact, thanks to a projected $300,000 budget shortfall, hours will be reduced in all 11 counties of that district.
The morning closings will affect Freeborn and Houston counties on Tuesdays; Winona, Mower and Olmsted counties on Wednesdays; Fillmore, Steele, and Waseca counties on Thursdays; and Dodge and Rice counties on Fridays.
Only access to court administration services will be reduced -- court hearings and trials will go on as scheduled.
Courts have come up with a number of creative ways to deal with budget deficits, such as Hennepin County’s self-help centers. But it’s a shame when the budget blues impact the accessibility of basic court services.
Starting today, both the phones and the counters at the courthouse will sit unmanned every Wednesday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., a consequence of budget cuts in the Third Judicial District. In fact, thanks to a projected $300,000 budget shortfall, hours will be reduced in all 11 counties of that district.
The morning closings will affect Freeborn and Houston counties on Tuesdays; Winona, Mower and Olmsted counties on Wednesdays; Fillmore, Steele, and Waseca counties on Thursdays; and Dodge and Rice counties on Fridays.
Only access to court administration services will be reduced -- court hearings and trials will go on as scheduled.
Courts have come up with a number of creative ways to deal with budget deficits, such as Hennepin County’s self-help centers. But it’s a shame when the budget blues impact the accessibility of basic court services.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Pardon me judge, is that a gun under your robe?
As the Minnesota courts scrounge for the money to install metal detectors to protect our appellate court judges, some Michigan lawmakers want to go one step further and let judges to take their security into their own hands.
Rep. Kenneth B. Horn, R-Frankenmuth, and Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D., R-Saginaw, have introduced identical bills proposing to amend the Concealed Weapons Act to allow "state court judges" to carry concealed weapons in what are otherwise known as "no-carry" zones, according to Minnesota Lawyer's sister publication, Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Judges and their families "are being threatened by" people whom they've sent to prison, Kahn said. Some of those making threats are felons who will be released after serving their sentences, while others are "mentally unstable," and others, still, have histories of "extreme violence," he added.
Judge Fred L. Borchard, Chief Judge Pro Tempore of the 10th Circuit Court, had his life threatened twice by litigants who have appeared before him.
Borchard said that, in his experience, there are three types of cases that really bring out the emotional and, occasionally, the menacing side of people:
-- Criminal;
-- Civil commitments involving mental health issues; and
-- Family law (ranging from divorce to custody to termination of parental rights).
"All of these matters place members of the judiciary at a greater risk of harm," Borchard said.
Judges with guns? An interesting concept. I suppose proponents might say that it's worth a shot.
Rep. Kenneth B. Horn, R-Frankenmuth, and Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D., R-Saginaw, have introduced identical bills proposing to amend the Concealed Weapons Act to allow "state court judges" to carry concealed weapons in what are otherwise known as "no-carry" zones, according to Minnesota Lawyer's sister publication, Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Judges and their families "are being threatened by" people whom they've sent to prison, Kahn said. Some of those making threats are felons who will be released after serving their sentences, while others are "mentally unstable," and others, still, have histories of "extreme violence," he added.
Judge Fred L. Borchard, Chief Judge Pro Tempore of the 10th Circuit Court, had his life threatened twice by litigants who have appeared before him.
Borchard said that, in his experience, there are three types of cases that really bring out the emotional and, occasionally, the menacing side of people:
-- Criminal;
-- Civil commitments involving mental health issues; and
-- Family law (ranging from divorce to custody to termination of parental rights).
"All of these matters place members of the judiciary at a greater risk of harm," Borchard said.
Judges with guns? An interesting concept. I suppose proponents might say that it's worth a shot.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Public now has access to appeals records
The following announcement is on the courts' website:
Public access to the Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System (P-MACS) is now available, allowing anyone to view records of appeals filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
For cases opened on or after March 3, 2003, case titles, case numbers, the names of parties and attorneys, a list of docket entries, and links to orders and opinions issued are available. For cases archived before March 3, 2003, only case titles, case numbers, and abbreviated party information are available.
Access P-MACS now
Public access to the Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System (P-MACS) is now available, allowing anyone to view records of appeals filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
For cases opened on or after March 3, 2003, case titles, case numbers, the names of parties and attorneys, a list of docket entries, and links to orders and opinions issued are available. For cases archived before March 3, 2003, only case titles, case numbers, and abbreviated party information are available.
Access P-MACS now
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Ten new judges in Minnesota
Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday signed the Omnibus Public Safety Funding and Omnibus Bill that, among other things, funds 10 new judge units -- seven for the District Courts and three for the Court of Appeals. Our friends at the Pioneer Press reported 15 new judges but that's in error, the state court administrator's office assures us. Minnesota Lawyer will bring you complete details on the court funding bill in next week's paper.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Pawlenty expected to sign public safety bill
The Star Tribune today notes that a bill providing $2 billion for prisons, courts and the Department of Public Safety has a high level of support at the Capitol. The measure would also provide $3.4 million for services to battered women and children and $2 million to put more police on city streets.
After DFLers removed a controversial provision on litigation over insurance claims, the bill passed the Senate 65-0 and the House 124-6. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he will sign it next week, the Strib reports.
After DFLers removed a controversial provision on litigation over insurance claims, the bill passed the Senate 65-0 and the House 124-6. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he will sign it next week, the Strib reports.
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