Public Notice Detail

ST. PAUL, Minn. (June 23, 2000) – Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz and Justice James H. Gilbert will thank Blue Earth County teen-agers who have volunteered as jurors and bailiffs in the Teen Court since its inception three years ago. The Justices will also observe actual Teen Court sessions prior to the June 29 award ceremony as part of their three-day “Court Innovations Tour” through Southwest Minnesota.

“We know that too many at-risk children and teenagers go on to fill our prisons as adults,” said Chief Justice Blatz. “If we are serious about making changes in the outcomes of our criminal justice system, we have no choice but to address the inputs. Teen Court helps teens get back on track and it does so with the help of their peers.”

Media can attend the June 29 Teen Court, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Blue Earth County Courthouse, 204 South Fifth St., Mankato. However, the court asks that reporters and photographers respect the anonymity of the young people involved.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the Teen Court volunteers,” Chief Justice Blatz said. “They are role models for all of us by making a difference in their communities and in the lives of other teens.”

Blue Earth County Teen Court, started in July 1997, was the first such court in Minnesota. Other counties, including Martin, Brown, Lyon and Dakota counties have since started their own programs. Teen Court meets twice a month and provides an alternative to regular Juvenile Court.

Teens who commit minor offenses – underage possession or consumption of alcohol, illegal use of tobacco, curfew violations or shoplifting are among the most common – can choose to have their cases heard before a jury of their peers in Teen Court. The teens charged must admit to the offenses. A Teen Court jury, made up of teen volunteers, then hears from the charged teens, their parents and the victims involved before it determines a sentence.

“Teen Court participants sometimes find that their peers are tougher on them than adults might be,” said District Court Judge Norbert Smith, who frequently presides over Teen Court. “But Teen Court educates teens about the courts and has proven effective in deterring young people from further offenses.”

Blue Earth County Teen Court is a collaborative effort involving Blue Earth County District Court, Community Corrections, the County Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office and schools.

Thursday’s Teen Court session and award ceremony are part of a three-day “Court Innovations Tour” through Southwest Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. During the trip, Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert will learn about innovations that improve the justice system and local communities.

“For the last 150 years, the court system has been working to become more efficient. Now it’s time to focus on being more effective,” said Chief Justice Blatz. “These tours give us a chance to learn from the experiences of jurors, litigants, victims and concerned citizens throughout the state.”

Chief Justice Blatz visits a different judicial district twice a year. Her June 27-29 trip will include the following stops in Worthington, Luverne, New Ulm and Mankat

Worthington, MN

• Ribbon cutting ceremony and reception, 2 p.m., June 27, at the new Children’s Center, a child custody exchange and visitation center, at 826 Fifth Ave., Worthington. The public is encouraged to attend.
• Golden K Kiwanis Breakfast, 9 a.m., June 28, at the Worthington Country Club.

Luverne, MN

• “Meet Your Court” public reception, 10:30 a.m., June 28, at the Jim Brandenburg Gallery, 211 East Main St., Luverne. Free and open to the public. This is an opportunity to meet Chief Justice Blatz, Justice Gilbert and local judges.

• Fifth Judicial District judges and court administration meeting the afternoon of June 28 in Luverne.

New Ulm, MN

• Chief Justice Blatz pitches in to help Brown County by covering a juvenile court calendar in New Ulm at 9 a.m. June 29. Brown County has been without a District Court judge since Judge Terri Stoneburner was sworn in to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in April.   The justices will be available to the media at 8:45 a.m. A brief photo opportunity will take place at 9 a.m. before parties enter the courtroom.

Mankato, MN

• Teen Court hearing and award ceremony, 10:30 a.m., June 29 in Mankato. Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert will present awards to students who have volunteered as jury members in the program since its inception three years ago. The justices will also observe actual Teen Court hearings.  The media will be allowed to attend. However, the court asks that reporters and photographers respect the anonymity of Teen Court participants.

• Bar association meeting and luncheon, Noon, June 29, at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Mankato. All members of the Fifth Judicial District’s bar associations are invited. Members should contact their association presidents for more information.

 For biographical information about Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert, or for general information about the Minnesota State Court System, visit www.courts.state.mn.us.