News Item
Public invited to celebrate Law Day at Wright County Government Center on May 1

Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017

On Monday, May 1, the Wright County Government Center in Buffalo will open its doors to the public as part of a Law Day celebration aimed at educating citizens about their local justice system. The event will give attendees the opportunity to take part in free legal advice clinics; attend presentations on emerging criminal justice issues; and learn how to reinstate their driver’s license or resolve an outstanding warrant. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
The Law Day event will feature numerous activities, including:
 
  • Free legal advice clinics with volunteer attorneys to help individuals with civil and family law matters;
  • Free clinics on the process of expunging criminal, juvenile, and housing court records. Volunteer attorneys will provide legal advice, assist with the completion of court forms, and work with court staff to set court dates.
  • Presentations on important criminal justice issues, such as drug courts and other treatment court programs, common scams targeting local residents, and demonstrations of the Wright County Sheriff Department’s K-9 unit.
  • The ability for those with outstanding misdemeanor-level warrants to get free legal assistance and possibly resolve their case.
  • A clinic for those who have had their driving privileges revoked, with staff from the Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services division prepared to answer questions and provide information about how to get a driver’s license reinstated.
  • An information fair highlighting Wright County’s justice partners and various legal services available in the community.
 
The Wright County event is scheduled to coincide with Law Day, a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that all Americans share. Law Day was first established in 1958 through a proclamation by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Congress passed a joint resolution designating May 1 as Law Day, U.S.A in 1961.
 
“Minnesota’s justice system is recognized nationally for its innovation and effectiveness, and we have so much to be proud of here in Wright County,” said Tenth Judicial District Judge Michele Davis, who is chambered in the Wright County Government Center. “This Law Day, as our country reflects on the importance of our legal system and the rule of law, we wanted to invite the public into the Government Center, so they can see first-hand how our community works together to keep our neighborhoods safe and our rights protected. We also wanted to focus on expanding access to justice, by offering free legal assistance and information for those that may need it.”
 
The Law Day Open Courthouse event is being hosted by Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District in partnership with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department, Wright County Attorney’s Office, Wright County Court Services, Central Minnesota Legal Services, Wright County Public Defender’s Office, Wright County Law Library, and Wright County Health and Human Services.
 
More information about the event, including a detailed event schedule, will be provided in the weeks ahead and will also be posted online
 
The Wright County Government Center is located at 10 2nd Street N.W. in Buffalo.