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Senior Judge Janet N. Poston
Senior Judge Janet N. Poston

Appointed/Elected:

Elected in 1996, 2002 and 2008.

Retired on Jan. 5, 2015.

Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.

Education:

J.D., University of Minnesota, 1983
B.S. with Distinction, University of Minnesota, 1971

Employment:

  • District Court Referee, part-time, 1990-96
  • Law Clerk, Honorable Deborah Hedlund, 1983-1996
  • Teacher, Bolivia South America, 1978-1980
  • Elementary School Teacher, 1971-1978

Additional Information:

Assignment History

  • Civil & Criminal, 1/2002-1/2015
  • Family, 1/1999-12/2001
  • Civil & Criminal, 5/1998-12/1998
  • Criminal, 1/1997-4/1998

Judicial Activity

  • Executive Committee 2003-2007, 2008-Present
  • Civil Committee 2002-Present
  • Criminal Committee 1997-Present
  • Judge who edited script for jury video now shown to all jurors statewide   
  • Minnesota State Bar Association Membership Committee 1997-2004
  • Hennepin County Bar Association Nominating Committee 1999 - 2002
  • Minnesota District Judges Association, Civil JIG Committee
  • Amdahl Inn of Court 2005-2009
  • Chair, Family Court Education Committee, 7/2000-12/2001
  • Weekly presentation to parents in Hennepin County Family Court Education program, 7/2000-12/2001
  • Based on parents' suggestions, helped initiate evening Family Court Education programs one or two evenings each month at Ridgedale, Brookdale and Southdale libraries, 6/2001-12/2001

Community Activity    

  • Spoken about Judicial branch of government to law students, and numerous classes ranging from college to elementary age students 1999 – Present
  • Mock trial judge at law school, college, and high school levels
  • Sunday School teacher 1999 – 2007
  • Nursing home visitor 1-3 times per week 2002 – 2009
  • Taught approximately 27 law students who have each interned for one semester’s credit with Judge Poston
  • Hosted international student upon arrival in U.S. for graduate school, assisted with cultural transition 2006 - 2007
  • Encouraged spouse’s career in U.S. Navy Reserve Component, until his 2007 retirement as Chief Petty Officer