News Item
Hennepin County and Hennepin County District Court Celebrate Constitution Day by Hosting Open Courthouse Event

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2018

Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Lillehaug to Speak

Hennepin County Government Center will open its doors to the public as part of a Constitution Day Open Courthouse event on Friday, September 21. The Open Courthouse will 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 event will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hennepin County’s Open Courthouse event is being hosted as a celebration of Constitution Day, a federal day of observance during which Americans reflect on the rights and freedoms granted to them through the signing of the United States Constitution.
 
The Open Courthouse event will feature:
  • A special short welcoming presentation featuring Chief Judge Ivy Bernhardson and Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Lillehaug.
  • An opportunity to meet local district court judges and justice system partners.
  • Self-guided “behind-the-scenes” tours of Hennepin County District Court, with presentations by judges.
  • Free, one-on-one legal assistance will be provided through the walk-in Self-Help Center in the Government Center.
  • An information fair with representatives from numerous law- and justice-related organizations.
  • Information on legal resources and other services available in the community.  
Media and public are welcome to attend all events. For day-of interview requests please reach out to Spenser Bickett at (612) 348-5022, (612) 801-7583, or email
 

12:30 p.m. - Welcoming Ceremony (Reflection Pool, Skyway Level)
The welcoming ceremony will be held near the reflection pool on the Skyway Level of the Hennepin County Government Center. The event will feature remarks by Minnesota Supreme Court justice David L. Lillehaug and Fourth District Chief Judge Ivy S. Bernhardson.

12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Free Legal Assistance Available Through Self-Help Center
Visitors to the Hennepin County “Open Courthouse” event in Minneapolis on September 21 will have the opportunity to receive free, one-on-one legal assistance. The legal assistance will be provided through the walk-in Self-Help Center in the Government Center. 

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Self-Guided Tours with Presentations by judges
The public is invited take self-guided tours of the C-Tower of the Hennepin County Government Center anytime between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
In courtroom C-657 on the 6th floor of the C-Tower, Hennepin County judges will lead half-hour presentations on the Fourth Judicial District and the Minnesota Judicial Branch throughout the afternoon.
Participants are invited to tour the Hennepin County Law Library, on the 24th floor of the C-Tower. The law library provides materials related to practicing law, including books, journals and electronic databases. More information »

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Information Fair (Skyway Level)
Visitors can take a self-guided walk through an information fair designed to showcase the work of many of the justice partners in the local community, share legal resources available to the public, and highlight new advancements in criminal justice and court technology being implemented across the state.