What is the OneCourtMN Hearings Initiative (OHI)?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) kept the doors to justice open by moving most of its hearings online. For the first time in its history, those involved in cases could attend hearings in a virtual courtroom instead of a courthouse. When court customers, attorneys, government partners, judges, and staff told us what they thought of this practice, the message was clear: continue to offer remote hearings.
On June 6, 2022, the Branch made remote hearings a lasting part of how it does business. In some case types, hearings are held in person, remotely, or a hybrid of the two. Which case and hearing types are right for remote or in-person attendance was decided by Judicial Council, the Minnesota Judicial Branch governing body. It also knew there was work ahead to make both remote and in-person hearings better. To that end, it formed the oneCourtMN Hearings Initiative, or OHI.
OHI is staffed by judges and staff from all levels of the organization. Together, they focus on how to use remote hearings wisely and make all hearings run smoothly. OHI gathers and analyzes data on how hearings are held, creates real life solutions to hearing challenges, offers training to users of our applications and processes, and keeps open the channels of communication.
More information about remote and in-person hearings can be found on the
Going to Court and
Remote Hearings pages.