Mankato Law Day 2016

On Friday, April 29, the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato will open its doors to the public as part of a Law Day “Open Courthouse” event designed to showcase the work of Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District, and educate students and the public about the role of judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and citizens in administering Minnesota’s justice system. The public and media are invited to attend the event, which runs from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Open Courthouse event will feature numerous activities, including:

• A special visit from Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson;
• An opportunity to meet local district court judges and justice system partners;
• Guided “behind-the-scenes” tours of the Blue Earth County Justice Center, with presentations by judges, court staff, prosecutors, public defenders, and local law enforcement.
• An information fair with representatives from numerous law- and justice-related organizations.
• Information on free and low-cost legal services available to the public.

The 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.

The Law Day Open Courthouse event is being hosted by Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District in partnership with Blue Earth County and local justice system partners.

1 p.m. Welcoming remarks from Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Natalie E. Hudson and Minnesota Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge Bradley C. Walker

• Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson and Minnesota Fifth Judicial District Chief Judge Bradley C. Walker, one of the four judges chambered in the Blue Earth County Justice Center, will welcome visitors and share a brief overview of Minnesota’s judicial system.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Guided behind-the-scenes tours of the Blue Earth County Justice Center

• Visitors can take a 45-minute educational tour of the Blue Earth County Justice Center. Visitors will go “behind-the-scenes” to view a judge’s chambers, a courtroom, the jury deliberation room, and the holding area used to hold defendant’s awaiting trial. At each stop, visitors will hear from judges, attorneys, law enforcement officials, and court staff about the unique role they each play in administering Minnesota’s justice system.
• Tours begin at 1:30 p.m. and will leave every 30 minutes. The last tour will leave at 3:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information Fair

• Visitors can take a self-guided walk through an information fair designed to showcase the work of many of the justice system 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. 

Visitors can take a self-guided walk through an information fair designed to showcase the work of many of the justice system 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. 

Information Fair Participants include: 

• eCourtMN
• MyMNConservator (MMC) 
• Committee Against Domestic Abuse, Inc (CADA)
• Guardians ad Litem Program (GAL)
• Drug Court
• Veterans Court
• Family Dependency Court
• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS)
• Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) 
• Self Help Center (in Law LIbrary)

Tours begin at 1:30 p.m. and will leave every 30 minutes. Tour times are 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 p.m.

Visitors can take a 45-minute educational tour of the Blue Earth County Justice Center. Visitors will go “behind-the-scenes” to view a judge’s chambers, a courtroom, the jury deliberation room, and the holding area used to hold defendant’s awaiting trial. At each stop, visitors will hear from judges, attorneys, law enforcement officials, and court staff about the unique role they each play in administering Minnesota’s justice system.
 
School groups interested in a tour are asked to pre-register by contacting Lissa Finne at lissa.finne@courts.state.mn.us.

Location and Directions:

Blue Earth County Justice Center 
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56002-0347
Phone: (507) 304-4650

Directions

Parking:

There is free parking avialable in the surface lot at the Justice Center.