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Senior Judge Mary Yunker
Senior Judge Mary Yunker

Judicial Experience:

Sherburne County District Court Judge

  • Presiding over all cases filed in the district courts of Minnesota, including criminal, civil, family and juvenile matters
  • Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty on Oct. 1, 2004. Elected in 2006, 2012, and 2018. Retired on Nov. 15, 2022. Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from Jan. 15, 2023, to June 30, 2025.

Chief, Sherburne County Bench, 2007-2009
Chair, Sherburne County Children’s Justice Initiative Committee, 2005-2007
Chair, Sherburne County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, 2008-2010

Lecturing and Teaching Experience:

Minnesota District Judges Association/Foundation  
  • Annual Criminal Law Update, MDJA/MDJF Fall Conference, 2005 – present
    Comprehensive review of federal and Minnesota appellate court decisions and rule changes
  • Annual New/Senior Judge Review, MDJA/MDJF Fall Conference, 2005 – present
    Practical review of day-to-day judging in the district courts
Annual Conferences of Judges, Minnesota Supreme Court
  • Education Planning Committee, 2010
  • Author of Materials/Presenter, “The Path to a Legal Sentencing Departure,” 2010
Minnesota Judicial College
  • Curriculum Planning Committee, 2006 – 2008
  • Author of Materials/Presenter, “Alternative Perpetrator Evidence,”  2007
  • Co-Author of Materials/Co-Presenter, “Evidentiary Issues in Civil Trials,” 2008
University of Minnesota Law School Judicial Trial Skills Training Program
  • Mentor/Critiquer for New Judge Practicum, 2008, 2011, 2012 
National District Attorneys Association
  • Faculty member, National College of Advocacy, Columbia, SC, 2003-2004
    Taught courses on Trial Advocacy, Ethics and Pre-Trial Procedure
Minnesota County Attorneys Association
  • Faculty member, James E. Preece Trial Advocacy School, Bemidji, 1991–2002
    Taught trial advocacy to both prosecutors and defense attorneys
  • Faculty member, MCCA Trial School, 2005
    Trial advocacy critiquer
  • Co-Author of Materials/Co-Presenter, “Ethical Issues for Prosecutors,” 1999 – 2009
    Annual ethics training for prosecutors
  • Author of Written Materials/Presenter, Various Courses
    • Prosecution of Child Abuse,” 1992, 1993, 1996
    • Evidence for Prosecutors,” 1995
    • Revenue Sources for County Attorneys,” 2003 
St. Cloud State University
  • Adjunct Faculty, Criminal Justice Department, 1995–1999
    Taught courses on Criminal Procedure and Criminal Law
Rasmussen Business College, St. Cloud, Minnesota  
  • Faculty, taught Business Law, 1991–1996
Law Enforcement Training  
  • Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1997–2001
    Semi-Annual Statutory Update, Criminal Justice Information Systems Seminar
  • Local Law Enforcement, 1984–2004 
    Routine Statutory, Case Law and Procedural Training

Professional Memberships

Minnesota District Judges Foundation, 2009–present
  • Board Member, 2009–present
  • Co-Chair, Education and Planning Committee, 2009–present
Minnesota District Judges Association, 2004–present
  • Co-Chair, Education and Planning Committee, 2005–2009
  • Member, Criminal Jury Instructions Committee, 2005–present
Criminal Bench Book Committee, 2007–present
  • Author, Chapter 3, Procedures Following Arrest
National District Attorneys Association, 2003–2004
  • Faculty member, National College of Advocacy, Columbia, South Carolina
Minnesota County Attorneys Association, 1985–2004
  • Member, Co-Chair and Chair, Education Committee, 1990–2004
  • Member, Educational Foundation, 1999–2004
  • Member, Criminal Law Committee, 1988–2000
  • Faculty member, James E. Preece Trial Advocacy School, Bemidji, 1991–2002
Stearns/Benton Bar Association, 1986–2002
  • Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and President, 1997–1999
John E. Simonett Inn of Court, 1998–2004
  • Secretary-Treasurer, 2001
Richard T. Oakes Inn of Court, 2008–2010


Professional Experience

District Court Judge – Tenth Judicial District, 2004–Nov. 15, 2022
Chief Deputy Sherburne County Attorney, 2003–2004
Assistant Stearns County Attorney, 1986–2003

  • Chief, Criminal Division, 1988–2003
Assistant Scott County Attorney, 1985

Assistant Mankato City Attorney, 1984–1985
District Court Law Clerk – Minnesota Ninth Judicial District, 1982–1984
Staff Attorney – Civil Aeronautics Board, Washington, D.C., 1980–1982

Education

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 1980
Bachelor of Applied Studies, University of Minnesota, 1977