Effective July 1, 1959, the Minnesota Judicial Branch was divided into 10 judicial districts for administrative purposes, per Minn. Stat. 2.722.  Each district is made up of two to 17 counties, with the exception of the Second District (Ramsey County) and the Fourth District (Hennepin County).  Each district is managed by a chief judge and an assistant chief judge, assisted by a district administrator.

The Third Judicial District consists of the eleven counties of Southeast Minnesota including Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona. Twenty-four judges and one referee serve the District.
 

Chief Judge

 

Honorable Joseph A. Bueltel
Steele County
 

Assistant Chief Judge

Honorable Christine A. Long
Rice County
 

Judicial District Administrator

Shelley Ellefson

Administrative Orders

• Appointment of District Court Referee (2024)
• Disclosure of Portable Recording Systems Data Provided Pursuant to Discovery in Criminal and Juvenile Delinquency Cases
• Establishing Compensation Rate for Attorney's Fees and Costs Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 504B.268, Subd. 3 (2025)
• Establishing Reimbursement Rate for Attorney's Fees and Costs Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 611.27 (2025)
• Motions to Withdraw Guilty Pleas and Vacate Convictions in Payable Cases 
• Per Diem Court Reporter Rate and Mileage Order (amended 2020)
• Reimbursement Rate for Advisory Counsel (2023)
• Services Other Than Counsel
• Third District Referee Objection Procedure 

District Policies

• Third Judicial District - District Wide Continuance Policy (effective 9/1/19, updated 8/11/23)
• Third Judicial District - Continuance Request Form (2023)
• Electronics in the Courtroom and Hearing Rooms Resolution and Policy (2025)

Probable Cause (Riverside) Assignment Schedule July 2024 - June 2025
Probable Cause (Riverside) Assignment Schedule July 2025 - June 2026

Early Case Management/Early Neutral Evaluation

Early Case Management (ECM) is the early involvement of a judicial officer in dissolution and custody cases with the purpose of aiding in the case’s earlier resolution. Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) is a confidential, voluntary, evaluative process designed to facilitate prompt dispute resolution in custody, parenting time (visitation), and financial matters.

Equity and Justice Committee - Community Dialogue Session Report - November 2023
Equal Justice Committee - Community Dialogue Session Report - April 2016
Equal Justice Committee - Community Dialogue Session Report - October 2010
Bias or Discrimination Complaint Form - January 2020
 

County Court CalendarsCourt calendars reflect scheduled courtroom hearings, but they do not include all matters handled by the court each day.
 
Confidential cases and cases that are not remotely accessible under Minn. R. Pub. Access 8, subd. 2 are not posted in this calendar. If your case does not appear on the calendar, do not assume that your court appearance has been cancelled or rescheduled.
 
The calendar is in searchable PDF format. You can use your computer or mobile device to find your name or the name of an attorney.

Dodge County
Fillmore County
Freeborn County
Houston County
Mower County
Olmsted County
Rice County
Steele County
Wabasha County
Waseca County
Winona County

Please note:

• The Freeborn, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, and Winona calendars are posted at 7:00 p.m. for the next day activities, and all county calendars are updated hourly beginning at 7:00 a.m.
• Calendar hearings are subject to change as there are often changes in scheduled cases, judge assignments, and courtroom assignments.
• Printed calendars located outside the courtrooms or in public lobbies contain the most current daily calendar information.
• If you have any questions about the calendar, please contact the local court administrator’s office.
• Information in the calendar is subject to the MN Rules of Public Access»

Third Judicial District (District Administration)

For case-specific questions, please call your individual county. Numbers listed below.

1696 Greenview Drive SW
Rochester, MN 55902
map
Phone:  (507) 722-7250
Fax: (507) 285-7476

County Courthouse Phone Numbers
Dodge:  (507) 624-7010
Fillmore:  (507) 765-6021
Freeborn:  (507) 668-6014
Houston:  (507) 724-7002
Mower:  (507) 509-7013
Olmsted:  (507) 722-7264
Rice:  (507) 497-7134
Steele:  (507) 686-7012
Wabasha:  (651) 412-8627
Waseca:  (507) 308-7002
Winona:  (507) 615-5183