News Item
Anoka County to celebrate Law Day with event on April 27

Posted: Wednesday, April 18, 2018

On Friday, April 27, the Anoka County Courthouse in downtown Anoka will open its doors to the public as part of a Law Day “Open Courthouse” event. The event is being held to showcase the work of Minnesota’s courts, and educate the public about the work of judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and citizens in administering the state’s justice system. The free, open-to-the-public event, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
Law Day events will include guided courthouse tours; an information fair; demonstrations of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit; and presentations on various criminal justice issues, including: immigration, community and 21st century policing, death investigation and the role of the medical examiner, and investigating crimes. In addition, visitors can participate in free legal assistance clinics staffed by volunteer attorneys on matters related to family law, child support, conservatorship, debt collection, adult and juvenile expungement, evictions, warrants, driver license reinstatement, and more.
 
A welcoming ceremony featuring Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah and Tenth Judicial District Chief Judge Douglas Meslow will be held at 9:00 a.m. Guided courthouse tours will be offered at 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Legal advice clinics and presentations on various criminal justice issues will be held throughout the day. A detailed event schedule is attached, and can be found at www.mncourts.gov/anokacountylawday2018.
 
“Each year, we have expanded our Law Day event in response to those we serve.  This year, we are expanding our program for students, which will include K-9 presentations, a mock trial, a presentation by a veteran investigator with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and a presentation with Chief Judge Douglas Meslow and community justice partners,” said Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Bethany Fountain Lindberg, one of 16 judges chambered in the Anoka County Courthouse. “In addition, we are adding educational presentations for attorneys that include Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits. We are so excited to welcome the public to the Anoka County Courthouse, and showcase how judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and other community justice partners work together to peacefully resolve cases and keep our communities safe.”
 
The Anoka County Courthouse is located at 325 East Main Street in downtown Anoka. No cost parking is available in the ramp located on Jackson Street, and visitors are encouraged to refer to this Anoka County brochure for additional parking information.
 
The Anoka County Open Courthouse event is scheduled to coincide with Law Day, a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that all Americans share. Law Day was first established in 1958 through a proclamation by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Congress passed a joint resolution designating May 1 as Law Day, U.S.A. in 1961.