Public Notice Detail

 MONTEVIDEO, MN (April 16, 2003) – Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz and Justice Alan Page recognized judges, prosecutors, public defenders and law enforcement officials in Montevideo today for continuing to effectively provide access to justice in the face of budget challenges and decreasing the time necessary to resolve cases.

The stop was part of the Eighth Judicial District Court Innovations Tour.  Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Page are visiting the district April 15-17 to highlight local court innovations and critical needs for area courts, meet with community leaders and hear citizens’ feedback about the judiciary.

Criminal justice officials received congratulations today for the Tri-County Arraignment Initiative, a 10-year-old cooperative effort among Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties that increases efficiency, reduces travel and trial costs, and leads to prompt resolution of criminal cases.

“Proposed budget cuts will lead to growing backlogs and delay and possibly the courts not hearing wholesale categories of cases.  Meanwhile, the number of caseloads that come through our doors continues to increase,” said Chief Justice Blatz.  “The Tri-County Arraignment system provides the efficient and fair access to justice that citizens expect and deserve despite these pressures.”

The Tri-County system was created to increase the number of criminal cases resolved at the first court appearance and decrease parties’ driving time between hearings in multiple locations.  Under the system, arraignments are held every first and third Mondays of the month in Yellow Medicine County (a.m.) and in Chippewa County (p.m.) to alleviate scheduling conflicts.  It also brings all of the parties together in one place and facilitates settlement negotiations when appropriate. 

The result is faster resolution of cases and less time in court despite ever increasing caseloads.  For example, Chippewa County’s major criminal filings have increased 84 percent in the past five years and minor criminal filings have increased 55 percent.  Meanwhile, the number of Chippewa County criminal cases resolved within four, six and 12 months remain higher than the statewide average.  In 2001, Chippewa County resolved 69 percent of criminal cases within four months (compared to 65 percent statewide), 88 percent of cases within six months (80 percent statewide) and 100 percent of cases within one year (95 percent statewide).

“We’ve found out that the more things you can get accomplished in the first hearing the better,” said Judge Paul Nelson of Chippewa County District Court.  “The Tri-County Arraignments system allows us to get things resolved in a fairly prompt fashion.”