NCJ Number
67788
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL EXPLAINS COURT PROCEDURES, IDENTIFIES TYPES OF COURTS, AND DESCRIBES THE FUNCTIONS OF COURT PERSONNEL FOR MINNESOTA.
Abstract
IN 1979, THE STATE HAD 218 JUDGES WITH 450,000 CASES BROUGHT BEFORE THE MINNESOTA COURTS IN 1978. A CIVIL CASE BEGINS WHEN A DISPUTE DEVELOPS INTO A COMPLAINT BY THE PLAINTIFF AND LEADS TO A SUMMONS TO A DEFENDANT. THE DEFENDANT PRESENTS A COUNTERCLAIM WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY INTERROGATORIES, A DEPOSITION, MOTIONS, AND NEGOTIATIONS. IF NEGOTIATIONS DO NOT RESULT IN A SETTLEMENT, A PRETRIAL OCCURS, FOLLOWED BY THE TRIAL AND JUDGMENT. THE CRIMINAL PROCESS IN A FELONY CASE BEGINS AFTER A POLICE INVESTIGATION WITH EITHER A PROSECUTOR'S COMPLAINT OR A GRAND JURY INDICTMENT. THIS LEADS TO THE ARREST, INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE WHEN BAIL IS SET, OR THE APPOINTMENT OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER AND THEN THE DEFENDANT'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN DISTRICT COURT. IF THE PLEA IS GUILTY, A GUILTY PLEA HEARING OCCURS, FOLLOWED BY A PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION, AND FINALLY THE SENTENCE HEARINGS. WITHOUT A GUILTY PLEA, THE OMNIBUS HEARING DECIDES THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE ARREST AND POLICE PROCEDURES, FOLLOWED BY PLEA NEGOTIATIONS, THE TRIAL, AND THE SENTENCE HEARINGS. A JURY TRIAL INVOLVES THE SELECTION OF THE JURY, THE ATTORNEYS' OPENING STATEMENTS, THE PROSECUTOR'S CASE, THE DEFENDANT'S CASE, REBUTTAL BY PROSECUTOR, THE CLOSING STATEMENTS, THE JURY DELIBERATION, AND THE VERDICT. THE TYPES OF COURTS ARE CALLED CONCILIATION, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, 10 DISTRICTS, SUPREME, FAMILY, PROBATE, JUVENILE, AND TRAFFIC. FEDERAL COURTS IN THE STATE ARE SEPARATE. PERSONNEL INCLUDE THE BAILIFF, CLERK, COURT ADMINISTRATOR, COURT REPORTER, LAW CLERK, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND THE JUDGE. ILLUSTRATIONS AND CHARTS ARE INCLUDED. (JLF)