Public Notice Detail
North Minneapolis Students, Families to Discuss Justice Issues with Judicial Branch
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2004
ST. PAUL, MN (May 10, 2004) - Minneapolis Patrick Henry High School students and their families will meet with Minnesota judges and others in the criminal justice system on Tuesday, May 11 to discuss the impact of criminal justice issues on communities of color.
The 6:30 p.m. program is organized by the State Judicial Branch Public Trust and Confidence Committee and Patrick Henry High School to bridge the cultural gaps between the court system and local communities of color.
“The Constitution charges judges to ensure equal access to the courts for all Minnesotans, and judges recognize the importance of this responsibility,” said District Court Judge Edward Lynch, chair of the Public Trust and Confidence Committee. “This forum presents an exciting opportunity to share information about the justice system and hear from the people we serve.”
Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Russell Anderson and Paul Anderson, Minnesota Court of Appeals Chief Judge Edward Toussaint, District Court Judge Lynch and representatives from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office are expected to participate.
The program, which will take place in the auditorium of Henry High School, 4320 Newton Avenue North, Minneapolis, is open to media and includes:
6:30 – 7 p.m. Panel discussion about the Judicial Branch and its efforts to provide equal access to justice to all Minnesotans.
7 – 7:30 p.m. Performance of a play written and acted by Henry High School students. The play focuses on the Hmong experience in the United States and how the Hmong community relates to the judiciary.
7:30 – 8 p.m. Panel/audience discussion about the cultural and racial concerns present in the North Minneapolis neighborhood.
8 p.m. Reception. Judges and community members will have an opportunity to meet each other.
About the Minnesota Judiciary
The Minnesota Judicial Branch is made up of 10 judicial districts with 274 district court judgeships, 16 Court of Appeals judges and seven Supreme Court justices. The Supreme Court oversees the administration of justice in the state, and Kathleen A. Blatz serves as the Chief Justice. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is mandated by the state Constitution to resolve disputes promptly and without delay. The court system handles approximately 2 million case filings per year.