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SCOTT COUNTY DISTRICT COURT

Minnesota Map with Scott County highlighted.

The Scott County Justice Center is located in Shakopee, MN.

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


This court is part of the First Judicial District. For District information, Administrative Orders and District Policies visit First Judicial District Administration

Location

Scott County Justice Center
200 Fourth Avenue West
Government Center - JC115
Shakopee, MN 55379-1220
Phone: (952) 496-8200
Fax: (952) 496-8211
Contact by email
Additional Phone Numbers

 

Court Administrator:
Vicky Carlson

Scott County Judicial Officers

Judge Colleen G. King

Judge Colleen G. King First Judicial District
Scott

Judge Caroline “Carrie” H. Lennon

Judge Caroline “Carrie” H. Lennon First Judicial District
Scott

Judge Rex D. Stacey

Judge Rex D. Stacey First Judicial District
Scott

Judge Mark C. Vandelist

Judge Mark C. Vandelist First Judicial District
Scott

Judge Paula D. Vraa

Judge Paula D. Vraa First Judicial District
Scott

Judge Christian S. Wilton

Judge Christian S. Wilton First Judicial District
Scott



Courthouse History »

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.
 
Scott County Daily Public Court Calendar »

Please note:

  • This calendar is posted at 7:00 p.m. for the next day's hearings, and updated hourly beginning at 7:00 a.m. 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 »
Learn about Hearing eReminders »
 

Scott County Justice Center
200 Fourth Avenue West
Government Center - JC115
Shakopee, MN 55379-1220
Phone: (952) 496-8200

The Scott County Justice Center and Government Complex is undergoing a major renovation and addition.  Please allow extra time for parking. 

Directions

Free surface lot and on-street parking available.

Business Hours:
Mon - Fri 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Give yourself enough time to get to the courthouse, park, pass through weapons screening, and find your courtroom.  If you are late for your hearing or miss it, a warrant could be issued for your arrest.  
 

Checking in for Court

After you have located your case on the monitor, proceed to the courtroom listed next to your case.  Enter the courtroom and check-in with the clerk seated near the judge.

If you cannot locate your name on the monitors at the courthouse, proceed to the court administration window and ask for assistance.

Find a Courtroom

Scott County Court has display monitors after you enter weapons screening with information about daily hearings (e.g., party names, courtrooms, and judges). Hearing information is also listed on the daily Court Calendar.   After you find your case on the monitors, proceed inside the courtroom and check-in with the court clerk.

Courtrooms 1- 4 are located on the 2nd floor, Courtrooms 5 and 6 are located on the 3rd floor of the Justice Center.

Bail hearings are held in the Scott County Law Enforcement Center at 301 Fuller Street South, Shakopee, MN 55379 (located across the street from the Scott County Justice Center)

Observe Court — Free & Open to the Public

Most court proceedings (non-confidential cases) are open to the public and can be viewed on a first come, first served basis during regular business hours.  Please refer to Rule 2.01(a) of the General Rules of Practice for questions about acceptable courtroom behavior.

The Scott County calendar schedule is posted daily. See the Court Calendar tab for the daily calendar or contact Scott County Court Administration to inquire about a general schedule of court sessions available to view. 

Court Holidays are observed.

Please note:  Calendars may be cancelled and are subject to change for various reasons including:  Continued hearings, judge availability, meetings, settlements.

Behavior at the Courthouse

  • Be on time for your hearing. If you miss your hearing, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
  • Dress appropriately. Clean, neat and professional clothing is appropriate for court. Shorts, t-shirts, low necklines, and torn clothing are not appropriate.
  • Do not use ANY electronic device to take photos or record video or audio in OR near any courtroom OR in the court administration public area. This includes cell phones, smart phones, tablets, pagers, or other recording devices. Some courts do not allow electronic devices in the courtroom, even if turned off. Learn more about the policy on cameras in the courtroom.
  • In the courtroom, do NOT...carry a weapon, chew gum or tobacco, eat, drink, read a newspaper, sleep, wear a hat, or use electronic devices.
  • Only one person may speak at a time in the courtroom. A court reporter is recording everything that is said during a hearing, and the court reporter can only record one speaker at a time. Ask for permission to speak, and address the judge as "Your Honor."
  • Avoid bringing children to court. Unless the judge has told you to bring your children to the hearing, please arrange for someone to take care of your children. If you must bring them to court, please bring a responsible person to care for them outside of the courtroom.
  • No smoking or use of tobacco-related products may be used inside county-owned buildings. 
Please refer to Minnesota Court Rule 2.01 (a) regarding courthouse behavior.

Juvenile Cases

What to expect at your first court appearance if you received a summons for a juvenile petty or juvenile traffic offense:

  • When you arrive to the courtroom, the juvenile should check in with the courtroom clerk.  The juvenile will be given a number and we do our best to call the cases in the order that the juvenile checks in (some exceptions to this rule exist)
  • The juvenile will receive paperwork that needs to be read and signed by both the juvenile and parent or guardian.
  • The juvenile and parents will then be seated in the courtroom until the Judge takes the bench.
  • The judge will make an announcement and go over the juvenile’s rights with the juveniles and parents as a large group.
  • After the judge has finished reading the rights, everyone will have a seat in the hallway and will be called into the courtroom one by one according to the number they were assigned when checking in.  When you arrive back to the courtroom, the courtroom clerk will collect the paperwork that you received.
  • The prosecutor will then discuss the charges with the juvenile and parent(s) and will go over some possible consequences.
  • If an agreement is reached and the judge approves the agreement, it will be put in writing in an Order.
  • After the hearing, the juvenile and parent will take a seat in the conference room immediately outside the courtroom and wait to receive their copy of the Order.
  • If there are any fines that need to be paid, those payments can be made at the Court Administration window located on the main level. If the juvenile is placed on probation under the supervision of Scott County Community Corrections, they will be directed to go and check in with that office following court.

Arraignments for Petty Misdemeanor or Misdemeanor Cases

Arraignment court is the first appearance for persons charged with a petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor.  Individuals are scheduled for an arraignment by either contacting the court or they may receive a notice of hearing from the court. 
 

Arrival at the courtroom…

  • The courtroom door is typically opened around 8:20 a.m. for the 8:30 a.m. calendar and 12:30 p.m. for the 1:00 p.m. calendar.
  • Please review the sign on the courtroom door that indicates the rules of behavior for the courtroom.

Check-in with the court clerk…

  • Form a line in the courtroom.  Individuals are seen in the order in which they check-in; first come/first served.
  • Please bring your license, citation, or the notice of hearing that was mailed to you so we can more easily find your case in the computer.
  • You will be given two forms to read and complete; hang onto them – they will be collected later.
  • Take a seat in the courtroom while others check-in.

When everyone has checked in…

  • The judge may address all individuals and advise them of their rights.
  • The prosecutor addresses the group to explain the procedure and options.
  • If a case needs to be called by the judge, you will be advised and should wait in the courtroom until the judge takes the bench.

Individuals may request to…

  • Speak with the prosecutor to try to reach an agreement to resolve the case.
    • Individuals who want to speak with the prosecutor will exit the courtroom and wait in the hallway for their name to be called.
    • After speaking with the prosecutor, you must return to the courtroom clerk with the signed plea agreement so the case can be updated.
    • You will be given a copy of the agreement which may indicate:
      • The resolution of the case indicating fines, costs, etc. that must be paid.
      • A not guilty plea is being entered and the case will be set for a court trial or pretrial.
      • The hearing is being continued to another date.
    • Many cases are resolved without the need to appear before the judge, though some cases require the setting of release conditions or terms of probation that must be set by the judge.
  • Individuals who want to plead “not guilty” or apply for a public defender will speak with the courtroom clerk.
  • Enter a “not guilty” plea and set the case for the next hearing, which will be:
    • A court trial if all charges are petty misdemeanors
    • A pretrial if any charge is a misdemeanor
  • Apply for a public defender.
    • At least one charge must be a misdemeanor.
    • Individuals must complete an application and a judge will approve or deny.
      • There are financial guidelines for qualification.
      • A co-pay or reimbursement is typically assessed for the services of the public defender.
    • If approved, the public defender meets with the defendant the same day.

If fines, costs, etc. are part of the plea agreement, or were ordered by the Judge…

  • Payments are made at the court administration window located  on the 1st floor.
    •  Visa, Discover, MasterCard, check or cash are accepted.
    • Payment plans can be set up if the Plea Agreement allows it.
To protect the public and court employees, courthouses have metal detectors like those at airports and other government buildings. Under Minnesota law, it is a crime for a person in a "courthouse complex" to possess a dangerous weapon, ammunition or explosives. The law applies to court employees as well as members of the public. Licensed peace officers on duty and on official business are exempt. See MN Statutes § 609.66 subd. 1(g).

Please do NOT bring any item that could be used as a weapon to any courthouse. Those items will not be allowed in areas beyond screening checkpoints, and illegal weapons will be confiscated. There may be a line a the security checkpoint, so please allow yourself enough time to get to a court hearing or other appointment in the courthouse. 
 

Prohibited Items

If you bring an item to the courthouse that could be used as a weapon and you enter the weapons screening checkpoint, security officers will give you the option to remove the item from the courthouse or security will put it in a "disposal" box.

Dangerous items confiscated by Security will NOT be returned to you. Examples of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
  • Firearms;
  • Cutting tools or bladed instruments of any size;
  • Electronic incapacitation devices, such as stun guns, tasers, etc.;
  • Personal protection sprays such as chemical mace, pepper spray and any other protective chemical aerosol; and
  • Any other items that appear to be designed or used as weapons, and that are capable of inflicting serious bodily harm.

First Judicial District Policy Regarding Possession of Firearms on Court Property Within the First Judicial District
Your safety is very important.  If, at anytime, you feel that you need assistance while at court or within the courthouse, you have the following options:
 

Prior to coming to court 

You may contact Scott County Court Administration at (952) 496-8200 and advise them of the situation and they will notify a Sheriff deputy who will assist you, if requested, into the courthouse.    
 

While attending court or at the court administration window 

You may contact a Sheriff Deputy at the weapons screening station and/or in the courtroom.  If a deputy is not available, speak with the court clerk.


Leaving the court 

If you need a Sheriff deputy to walk you to your vehicle, please advise a bailiff at weapons screening or a deputy in the courtroom.

Documents from cases filed from 2014 to present

Scott County District Court is now “paperless” and documents from cases filed since 2014 are available electronically.
 

Documents from cases filed prior to 2014

Documents from cases filed prior to 2014 are stored in an off-site location. Requests for documents stored off-site may take several days to complete. Requests should be as specific as possible.
 

Use the Case Number

The case number of the easiest way for a file to be located. If the case number is not available/unkown, the request should include:
  • The full name and date of birth of each participant in the case
  • The date of the offence and the charge(s) if the request relates to a criminal matter

Request Specific Documents

A request for “all documents” may return more than is required. Use Minnesota Public Access (MPA) Remote to locate the case. MPA Remote will indicate activity on the case and may assist in narrowing requests.
Please note: Criminal cases which do not have a conviction must be searched by case number. Searching by Defendant’s name will not produce the case.   


Documents that cannot be provided

Scott County District Court cannot provide police reports or confidential documents. Requests for traffic or criminal case documents should be made to the Scott County Attorney’s Office or the law enforcement agency involved in the case.

Document Types

Plain Copies

A “plain” copy is a photocopy or a printed copy of an electronic file.   

Certified Copies

A “certified” copy has been stamped and sealed by court staff, certifying it is a copy of the Court document.
Please note: A multi-page certified document will be stapled. Removing the staple means the document is no longer considered certified.
 

Copy Fees

There is a fee for each document requested.  The size of the document is irrelevant.  For example, a traffic citation and sentencing order would be charged as two documents.  A two page order is charged as one document.
Scott County District Court Copy Fees »

Payments can by made:
By check, made out to "Scott County Court Administration" and mailed to
Scott County Justice Center
200 Fourth Avenue West Government Center - JC115
Shakopee, MN 55379-1220
By credit card (Visa, Discover, or MasterCard) over the phone by calling (952) 496-8200
 

Additional Questions

Further questions may be directed to (952) 496-8200