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DAKOTA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT

Minnesota map with Dakota County highlighted.

There are three court locations in Dakota County; the Judicial Center in Hastings, the Western Service Center in Apple Valley and the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul.

Court Administrator:
Maria King

This district Court has original jurisdiction in all civil, family, probate, juvenile, criminal, and traffic cases filed in Dakota County.

Courthouse History

For more information about the district: First Judicial District 

Dakota County Courts

Locations and Directions

Dakota County Point of Entry Security Screening Information

 

Dakota County Judicial Center

Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings, MN

1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 377-7180
Get Directions
 

Dakota County Western Service Center

Dakota County Western Service Center, Apple Valley, MN
14955 Galaxie Ave. West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: (952) 247-7099
Fax: (952) 891-2820
Get Directions

 

Dakota County Northern Service Center

Dakota County Northern Service Center, West St. Paul, MN
1 West Mendota Rd., Ste. 140
West St. Paul, MN 55118
Phone: (651) 377-7190
Fax: (651) 455-1993
Get Directions

Find options for Transportation Services to any Dakota County courthouse location.

Business Hours

For all Dakota County courthouse locations 

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday

Closed Holidays »

Dakota County Judicial Officers

Assistant Chief Judge Christopher Jon Lehmann

Assistant Chief Judge Christopher Jon Lehmann First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Christopher D. Bates

Judge Christopher D. Bates First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Jamie L. Cork

Judge Jamie L. Cork First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Dannia L. Edwards

Judge Dannia L. Edwards First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Bryce A.D. Ehrman

Judge Bryce A.D. Ehrman First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Kathryn Iverson

Judge Kathryn Iverson First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Adam Johnson

Judge Adam Johnson First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge David L. Knutson

Judge David L. Knutson First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge David Lutz

Judge David Lutz First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Krista M. Marks

Judge Krista M. Marks First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Michael J. Mayer

Judge Michael J. Mayer First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Luis Morales

Judge Luis Morales First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Tanya O. O’Brien

Judge Tanya O. O’Brien First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Ann M. Offermann

Judge Ann M. Offermann First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Tracy Perzel

Judge Tracy Perzel First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Matthew Schmidt

Judge Matthew Schmidt First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Stacey E. Sorensen Green

Judge Stacey E. Sorensen Green First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Vicki Vial Taylor

Judge Vicki Vial Taylor First Judicial District
Dakota

Judge Richelle M. Wahi

Judge Richelle M. Wahi First Judicial District
Dakota

Dakota County Policies and Orders

Expedited Civil Litigation Track Pilot Project

The Minnesota Supreme Court has authorized an Expedited Civil Litigation Track Pilot Project, effective July 1, 2013, for the district courts in Dakota County and the City of Duluth.

Continuance Policy, effective September 22, 2022

​​Order Regarding Exhibit Requirements, effective July 1, 2023, updated January 1, 2025

Order Regarding Restitution Determination on Probation to the Court Cases, effective December 22, 2014

Order Regarding Cash Bail, effective February 1, 2023

First Judicial District Policies and Orders 

Includes: Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, LeSueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley Counties.
Criminal - Traffic Court

How Do I...?

What to do if there is a bench warrant for your arrest 

If there is a bench warrant for your arrest, you may turn yourself in on any weekday at 6:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center in Hastings.  Your case will be heard at the next available court calendar.
 

Applying for a Public Defender  

If you cannot afford to obtain an attorney, you may apply for a public defender by completing a public defender application form.
 

Restitution

If you are a victim of a crime and looking to get reimbursed, click on Crime victim's restitution packet. 
 

Challenging Restitution

If you wish to contest the amount of restitution you were ordered to pay, please complete the Challenge of Restitution form and file with court administration. 
Civil - Conciliation Court (Small Claims Court)

How do I ...?

Civil Motion in District Court

Prior to submitting motion paperwork, a hearing date must be obtained from Dakota County Court Administration. Call (651) 377-7900 for a court date.

Fax Filing Procedures

Except where filing is required by electronic means by rule of court, any document may be filed with the court by facsimile transmission pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure 5.05.  Failure to comply with this rule can result in judicial action.

Release of Minor Settlement Funds

To release any funds, either at the age of majority or a partial release prior to age of majority, a motion must be completed and submitted to the county where the case is filed.  After the court receives the motion, it will be submitted to a judge for review.

These rules do not apply to funds held in an annuity. Annuities cannot be withdrawn until majority has been reached.

Forms:

Family

How do I...? 

Family Motion in District Court 

Prior to submitting motion paperwork, a motion date must be obtained from court administration. To obtain a motion date please call (651) 377-7900.

Juvenile

Dakota County Juvenile Court is located at the Judicial Center in Hastings. 
Get Directions »

How do I...?

Treatment Courts

Dakota County currently operates Adult Drug Court, DWI Court, Family Dependency Treatment Court, and Juvenile Drug Court.  Dakota County also operates a Veteran’s Court, combined with Carver County.

How do I...?

Public Court Calendars

Court Calendar

Court 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.

Dakota County Court Calendars

Please note:                                                                                                                                   
 
  • This calendar is posted at 7:00 PM for the next day's hearings, and updated hourly beginning at 7:00 AM throughout court business hours.          
  • 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 electronic display monitors 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.
  • If you are scheduled for a remote hearing and you do not have access to appropriate technology or internet access to join the hearing remotely, you may visit a location offering these services for attending remote hearings.
Learn about Hearing eReminders »

Judicial Center - Hastings 

Main Phone: (651) 377-7180

Western Service Center - Apple Valley

Main Phone: (952) 247-7099

Northern Service Center - West St. Paul

Main Phone: (651) 377-7190

Criminal/Traffic Division

Phone: (651) 377-7188

Apple Valley Fax: (952) 891-2820
Hastings Fax: (651) 437-2293
West St. Paul Fax: (651) 455-1993

MN Court Payment Center: (651) 281-3219  (metro) or (800) 657-3611 if calling outside the metro area

Civil and Family Division

Civil Phone: (651) 377-7900

Hastings Civil Fax: (651) 437-2358
Hastings Family Fax: (651) 437-2346
Apple Valley Civil/Family Fax: (952) 891-2820
West St. Paul Civ/Family Fax:  (651) 455-1993
 

Juvenile Division

(Judicial Center – Hastings Only)

Phone: (651) 377-7188
Fax: (651) 437-2293
 

Probate Division/Mental Health/Adoptions

(Judicial Center – Hastings Only)

Phone: (651) 377-7974
Fax: (651) 437-2346
 

Jury Service Information

(Judicial Center – Hastings Only)

Phone: (651) 377-7970
Fax: (651) 437-2358
24 hour phone recording: (651) 377-7170
 

Contact by email »

Mailing AddressDakota County District Court
Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN  55033

Dakota County District Court
Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Ave
Apple Valley, MN  55124

Dakota County District Court
Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road West
Suite 140
West St Paul, MN  55118

Contact by email