Public Notice Detail
Minnesota District Court Judges Honor Metzen, Baland
Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Judge Metzen
Judge Metzen received the Outstanding Improvement to the Judicial System award because of her dedication and contributions to improving the effectiveness of the judiciary. Her peers chose her to represent them as Chief Judge of the First Judicial District before her 1999-2001 tenure as the Chair of the Conference of Chief Judges, the policy-making body for the district courts statewide.
Under Judge Metzen’s leadership, the Conference secured emergency funding for insurance cost increases and the adoption of a statewide compensation plan that would bring court system salaries in line with other state government employees. It also developed an aggressive 2001 legislative agenda to move the trial courts from county to state funding and to secure adequate funding to improve access to justice for all Minnesotans.
In addition, Judge Metzen has supported restorative justice initiatives in the First Judicial District, which consists of cities located in the South Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, as well as areas all across the state. She continues to actively participate in these initiatives as a member of the South St. Paul Restorative Justice Council.
She was appointed to the bench on May 7, 1986, and is currently chambered in Hastings, MN.
Judge Baland
Judge Baland received the Outstanding Service to the Community award for building the Hispanic Community Liaison Program in Northwest Minnesota’s Todd County. He has gathered dozens of citizens and community leaders to form and fund the program, which provides interpretation and other services to new Hispanic residents while it builds cultural awareness amongst all Todd County residents.
The Hispanic Community Liaison Program has won national recognition by the Deputy Undersecretary of Housing and Urban Development, and recently, Judge Baland presented a workshop on the program at the National Association of Court Management Conference in New Orleans. In addition, Judge Baland created a program to recruit more advocates for abused and neglected children in Wadena County. He also conducts justice system meetings in Wadena County, in an effort to promote cooperation among the courts, government agencies, attorneys and service providers.
He was appointed to the bench on March 2, 1984 and is chambered in Long Prairie, MN.
This is the fifth year the MDJA has honored judges with its annual awards. Nominations were submitted by judges, court staff, attorneys and the public. A committee of retired district court judges selected the winners.