U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota

Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz braved yesterday's scorching weather to preside over a naturalization ceremony at the Minnesota State Fair. Thirty new citizens from sixteen different countries became Americans at the International Bazaar's Stage. Joined by friends, family, and fellow fair-goers, the ceremony was joyful, despite the day's 110 degree heat index. The public is encouraged to join the court again tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28, for another ceremony at 9:00am, which will include Senator Tina Smith. #citizenship #federalcourts #minnesotastatefair

The court held its second ever Summer Teacher Institute on Tuesday in St. Paul at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Twenty middle and high school social studies educators from across Minnesota attended the day-long workshop, which focused on free speech. Attendees heard from Judge Tostrud, University of Minnesota Law School Professor Charlotte Garden, and AUSA Hillary Taylor on the history and nuance of landmark cases involving the First Amendment and their impact on students and teachers, had classroom activity simulations, attended a judicial lunch and learn session, observed criminal duty, met with the court's newest District Judge to learn about the path to becoming a federal judge, and toured the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals courtroom and the Justice and Democracy Center. Educators - keep your eyes peeled for our summer institute next year! #civicseducation #federalcourts #freespeech

We are seeking applications for a full-time U.S. Magistrate Judge. Apply today! #federalcareer #applytoday #federaljudges #federalmagistratejudges #judges

Come join the court and fellow new Americans at the Minnesota State Fair again this summer! Naturalization ceremonies will take place at 9:00am at the International Bazaar Stage on Monday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 28. All are welcome and encouraged to attend these joyful events. Additional info at: https://lnkd.in/g-xzQtGA #newcitizens #mnstatefair #federalcourts USCIS

Apply today! We are seeking applications for a Term Law Clerk - this position will support the new Magistrate Judge. #applytoday #lawclerk #openpositions #federaljobs #federalclerks

Photos from this year’s Minority Judges Reception are now available: https://lnkd.in/g-XCTK5r Feel free to download images for personal use and thanks again to our many co-sponsors and photographer Anna Min. Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter #federalcourts #diversityinthelaw

We are seeking applications for a Courtroom Deputy in St. Paul, Minnesota. This position will support a new magistrate judge. #careeropportunities #federalcareer #federaljobs

Judges, public defenders, prosecutors, and mentors joined graduates of the Reentry Court for the Second Annual Kingsmen Fish-Nic. The weekend gathering was attended by over 75 people. For more information on the Reentry Court program for the District of Minnesota, visit: https://lnkd.in/g3GeE82x #reentrycourt #federalcourts #USPPSO

U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel presided over a naturalization ceremony before the Twins game on Wednesday, July 24. Twenty applicants from seventeen different countries – Burma, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nepal, North Macedonia, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sweden, and Vietnam – took the Oath of Allegiance before a joyful stadium. It was a lovely day for America’s pastime and Twins win! The court sends it congratulations to our newest fellow Americans. #federalcourts #uscis #MNTwins

The court was honored to join the Office of the Federal Defender and the Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter at a reception yesterday, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Criminal Justice Act. The evening’s theme, Making Justice a Reality, included remarks from Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz, Federal Defender Katherian Roe, Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright and was led by First Assistant Federal Defender Manny Atwal. Prior to 1964, there was no national system for appointing counsel in federal cases nor funds to compensate attorneys. Recognizing the failure to make this fundamental right a reality for all and not just for some, federal judges, attorneys, scholars and ultimately President John F. Kennedy, called on Congress to provide the right to counsel regardless of a defendant’s financial circumstances.   On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), which for the first time, assured professional legal counsel in the federal courts by paying an hourly fee for court-appointed attorneys. The CJA also provided compensation for experts, investigators and other necessary defense services. Today, 82 federal defender organizations provide representation to 92 of the 94 federal districts, and over 10,000 private attorneys who accept CJA appointments provide representation in all 94 districts. Together these attorneys represent the overwhelming majority of those charged with federal criminal offenses. The CJA has strengthened the Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel in the federal courts. The hybrid federal public defense system of federal defenders and private attorneys is respected as the gold standard in public defense.   A special thank you to the attorneys recognized for over 20 years of service to the panel: Doug Altman Paul Applebaum James Behrenbrinker Andrew Birrell John Brink Glenn Bruder Fred Bruno Craig Cascarano Richard Curott George Dunn Thomas Dunnwald Deborah Ellis Paul Engh Matt Forsgren Joe Friedberg Andy Garvis Dan Gerdts   Kurt Glaser Frederick Goetz Dean Grau Earl Gray Michael Hager Charles Hawkins Terry Hegna John Hughes Craig Hunter David Izek Lee Johnson Tom Kelly Jordan Kushner Patrick Leach Chris Madel Richard Malacko Dave Malban Rick Mattox Bill Mauzy Michael McDonald William Michael Bruce Nestor Mark Nyvold Kevin O’Brien James Ostgard Robert Owens Robert Paule Tom Plunkett Robert Richman Bruce Rivers Paul Schneck James Sheehy Tom Shiah Robert Sicoli Brian Toder F. Clayton Tyler Ken Udoibok Nancy Vanderheider James Ventura Kyle White Bruce Williams Peter Wold Piper Wold Steve Wolter R.J. Zayed #CriminalJusticeAct #CJA #federalcourts