Know the Structure of the MN Court System
The Minnesota Court System is made up of district courts, appellate courts and the Supreme Court. The Minnesota District Court is the main trial court and follows a general jurisdiction model similar to that of North Dakota. In the District Court, trials are held in front of judges. Each District Court is divided into divisions. Each of these divisions hears different types of cases such as Family, Criminal, Civil and Juvenile cases. Most of the cases in District Court are tried to a jury. The District Court is organized around Regions which have been designed to cover the entire state of Minnesota. Additional Trial Court Administrators, who report to the Regional Trial Court Administrator, have been assigned to the different District Courts on a county by county basis. These Trial Court Administrators focus on the organization and management of their specific counties. There are currently 26 Trial Court Administrators. The Regional Trial Court Administrators are responsible for coordinating management of all courts within each region and overall administration of the trial courts within their regions. The Regional Trial Court Administrators are the primary points of contact at the regional level.
The Minnesota Rules of Court apply to all Minnesota trial courts. The District Court has a broad jurisdiction and is authorized by law to hear and determine all actions and proceedings, except in special cases where exclusive jurisdiction is given to some other tribunal.
There are 18 Districts in Minnesota . These are organized geographically based on county lines.
The cases heard in the District Court are:
The Court of Appeals (formed in 1983) consists of 19 judges, who sit as a panel of three to hear a case. The Minnesota Court of Appeals only reviews final decisions of the District Courts (trial courts), and Administrative Agencies in Minnesota. It also reviews select decisions from lower courts that are granted on an interlocutory or discretionary basis.
The Court of Appeals hears criminal, civil, and juvenile cases and has original jurisdiction pertaining to Writs and appeals from the Unemployment Law Judge, the Commissioner of Revenue, the Commissioner of Human Services and some appeals from local government boards.
The Supreme Court of Minnesota is the highest appellate court in the state. Like the Court of Appeals, Supreme Court Justices (who number nine) hear arguments in groups of three. However, appeals to the Supreme Court are heard when reviewed with priorization to cases where:
The Supreme Court is the final stop in all appellate matters. The court is evenly divided into civil and criminal cases. The Supreme Court decides over 1,000 appeals each year.
The Supreme Court is established in Article VI of the Minnesota Constitution. The Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor and subject to approval by the Minnesota Senate. The justices serve six-year terms and must be at least 40 years old. There is no limit on the amount of terms a justice may serve.
Employment Positions within MN Courts
The Minnesota state court system is an extensive network of personnel, from administrative offices to judges. This job diversity means that an interest in a court-related position is the first step to exploring opportunities for most people. Among the many roles in the system is that of the courtroom clerk. The job encompasses many procedures related to trial and court proceedings, chiefly those pertaining to documentation and recordkeeping. Courtroom clerks generally work in district courts. This is not the only court to offer clerking positions, however. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals also employ court clerks, although in smaller numbers. Applying to be a court clerk is often the first step to obtaining clerkships within appellate courts. Similarly, a paralegal or legal assistant job can be a way to break into the court system. Like court clerks, these roles often involve significant interaction with the legal process. Paralegals, for instance, conduct research and assist with case preparation under the supervision of lawyers. Court clerks in state courts have similar responsibilities. Court reporters are present at hearings and other meetings to create an official record of what transpires. These workers are proficient typists and computer users who follow strict transcription guidelines. Although judgeships are necessarily few and competitive, there are far more judicial law clerk positions. Law clerks help judges prepare for cases, conduct legal research, and perform a variety of other administrative functions. Working as a law clerk, particularly for judges on appellate courts, is often the first rung on the judicial ladder. In addition to all these court personnel, the state court system has administrative positions available. Accounting, information technology, and human resources are just three of the departments that keep the court machinery running.
How to Seek Employment with MN Courts
At this time there are job opportunities posted on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. Position postings and job applications are made through this web site. Only those who have applied online, and have received notification that their application has been considered will be further contacted. Please do not call the Minnesota Judicial Branch Human Resources Office regarding the status of your application. We are unable to respond individually to telephone inquiries regarding applicants’ status. Job vacancies for the Minnesota Judicial Branch are listed below. They are sorted by closing dates, and show the qualifications you must meet to apply. We ask that you carefully review the procedure for applying for jobs with the Minnesota Judicial Branch of government. Because of the number of applications we receive, we present the following information so that you will better understand our application process.
Training and Growth with MN Courts
Ongoing training and professional development education is available to all court employees at the Minnesota Judicial Branch. New employees typically participate in orientation workshops and a mentor program that are specific to their position in the trial courts, appellate courts and state court administration. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides high quality, on-site technical, management and leadership training through the Minnesota Judicial Branch Education Services Department. In addition, each district court provides approximately 62 hours of local jury management, client services, case processing , case management and office administration training. Many of the courts’ training activities include the expertise of staff development instructors. The Minnesota Supreme Court attends national training through the National Center for State Courts in Richmond, Virginia. Other professional development activities available to court employees, include participation in Association for Court Management conferences and seminars, as well as Minnesota Association for Court Management conferences and seminars. Employees also can find articles and resources in NewsDigest, WinLoom and Word Crimes newsletters.
Perks of Being in the MN Courts
One of the most attractive aspects of a career in the Minnesota courts is the job stability and the generous and competitive benefits package that employees enjoy. In our increasingly global economy with a rapidly changing landscape, knowing that your workplace is secure can be so valuable. Within our state agencies, we recognize that employees are more productive and are happier in the workplace when they are confident in their job security. These benefits extend to our wonderful full and partial employment retirees as well, who enjoy the benefit of a pension plan and a great social network via their retiree venues. In addition, many state employers provide health and dental insurance and retirement savings plans including employer contributions and 401(k) matches. With ample paid holiday and vacation time and generous sick leave benefits, the possibilities for shape-shifting your work life and personal life become unbounded. The internal workplace culture is fun, inspiring and ever analytical. We continually strive for continuous improvement and innovation. If you seek a career where change is part of the job, this is the job for you.
Advancement with MN Courts
Advancement for staff positions in the MN courts can vary depending on the career track they are in. For example, court operations staff excluding probation staff (such as court reporters, law clerks, financial workers, etc.) start out in the "lead" position for their career path. They have a number of opportunities to promote to the senior level and then beyond senior. Senior staff members in those career paths may be eligible for supervisory positions. Supervisors can, with experience and additional training, promote to mid-managers and then managers. Experienced managers can be promoted into director and deputy director positions.
In addition to advancement that comes with promotions, staff from all career tracks have the opportunity to participate in special projects and task forces that can provide them the opportunity to gain exposure to new work and hone leadership skills. An example of this is through committees and task forces of the Judicial Council. Staff at all levels can serve on the Council’s Employee Professional Development and Recognition Committee , which is tasked with identifying ways to advance our goals of professional development and recognition. Staff at higher levels can also serve on the Council’s Policy Advisory Groups, which are tasked with developing recommendations to the Council. Staff at any level can work on task forces that are charged with meeting specific goals and then dissolving.
Work on these types of groups and projects, along with extra education and training that employees seek out, can help them gain recognition and be considered for advancement. The old adage that one should take the jobs that are offered to get the experience that is necessary for future advancement remains true and the nationwide employee development professionals’ mantra rings true that "employees own the development."