Public Notice Detail
Racial Fairness in the Courts: Community Forums to be Held in Duluth, Cloquet in August
Posted: Wednesday, August 6, 2003
ST. PAUL, MN (August 6, 2003) - The Minnesota Judicial Branch invites the public to forums in Duluth and Cloquet in August to discuss the courts’ efforts to eliminate racial disparities in the justice system.
Judges and other justice system representatives will hold multiple “listening sessions” across the state as part of the 10th anniversary of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force Report on Racial Bias in the Judicial System. The 1993 report explored the extent to which racial disparities existed in Minnesota’s courts and sought to determine the factors contributing to those disparities.
During the August sessions, court representatives will provide state and local perspectives on current efforts to eliminate racial disparities in the courts, including the collection of race data, improvements to the court interpreter program, and judicial and staff diversity training. They will then answer questions and seek suggestions for potential improvements in the future.
What: Minnesota Judicial Branch Racial Fairness Forums
Who: Supreme Court Justices, District Court Judges, representatives of the public defender’s office, county attorney’s office, local law enforcement and community members
When/Where: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, August 21, 2003, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, 2101 14th Street, Cloquet
6:30 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2003, Trepanier Hall, YWCA, 202 W. 2nd Street, Duluth