Judge Mary Yunker

Sherburne County Courthouse
Phone: (763) 765-4600

Judicial Experience:

Sherburne County District Court Judge

• Presiding over all cases filed in the district courts of Minnesota, including criminal, civil, family and juvenile matters
• Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2004. Elected in 2006 and 2012. Current term expires Jan. 2019. 

Chief, Sherburne County Bench, 2007-2009

Chair, Sherburne County Children’s Justice Initiative Committee, 2005-2007

Chair, Sherburne County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, 2008-2010

Lecturing and Teaching Experience:

Minnesota District Judges Association/Foundation  

• Annual Criminal Law Update, MDJA/MDJF Fall Conference, 2005 – present

Comprehensive review of federal and Minnesota appellate court decisions and rule changes

• Annual New/Senior Judge Review, MDJA/MDJF Fall Conference, 2005 – present

Practical review of day-to-day judging in the district courts

Annual Conferences of Judges, Minnesota Supreme Court

• Education Planning Committee, 2010
• Author of Materials/Presenter, “The Path to a Legal Sentencing Departure,” 2010

Minnesota Judicial College

• Curriculum Planning Committee, 2006 – 2008
• Author of Materials/Presenter, “Alternative Perpetrator Evidence,”  2007
• Co-Author of Materials/Co-Presenter, “Evidentiary Issues in Civil Trials,” 2008

University of Minnesota Law School Judicial Trial Skills Training Program    

• Mentor/Critiquer for New Judge Practicum, 2008, 2011, 2012 

National District Attorneys Association  

• Faculty member, National College of Advocacy, Columbia, SC, 2003-2004

                Taught courses on Trial Advocacy, Ethics and Pre-Trial Procedure                                             

Minnesota County Attorneys Association

• Faculty member, James E. Preece Trial Advocacy School, Bemidji, 1991–2002

Taught trial advocacy to both prosecutors and defense attorneys

• Faculty member, MCCA Trial School, 2005

                 Trial advocacy critiquer 

• Co-Author of Materials/Co-Presenter, “Ethical Issues for Prosecutors,” 1999 – 2009

                  Annual ethics training for prosecutors

• Author of Written Materials/Presenter, Various Courses

                “Prosecution of Child Abuse,” 1992, 1993, 1996

                “Evidence for Prosecutors,” 1995

                “Revenue Sources for County Attorneys,” 2003 

St. Cloud State University   

• Adjunct Faculty, Criminal Justice Department, 1995–1999

                 Taught courses on Criminal Procedure and Criminal Law 

Rasmussen Business College, St. Cloud, Minnesota  

• Faculty, taught Business Law , 1991–1996

Law Enforcement Training  

• Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1997–2001

                 Semi-Annual Statutory Update, Criminal Justice Information Systems Seminar                

• Local Law Enforcement, 1984–2004 

                 Routine Statutory, Case Law and Procedural Training

Professional Memberships

Minnesota District Judges Foundation, 2009–present

• Board Member, 2009–present
• Co-Chair, Education and Planning Committee, 2009–present

Minnesota District Judges Association, 2004–present

• Co-Chair, Education and Planning Committee, 2005–2009
• Member, Criminal Jury Instructions Committee, 2005–present

Criminal Bench Book Committee, 2007–present

• Author, Chapter 3, Procedures Following Arrest

National District Attorneys Association, 2003–2004

• Faculty member, National College of Advocacy, Columbia, South Carolina

Minnesota County Attorneys Association, 1985–2004

• Member, Co-Chair and Chair, Education Committee, 1990–2004
• Member, Educational Foundation, 1999–2004
• Member, Criminal Law Committee, 1988–2000
• Faculty member, James E. Preece Trial Advocacy School, Bemidji, 1991–2002

Stearns/Benton Bar Association, 1986–2002

• Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and President, 1997–1999

John E. Simonett Inn of Court, 1998–2004

• Secretary-Treasurer, 2001

Richard T. Oakes Inn of Court, 2008–2010

Professional Experience

District Court Judge – Tenth Judicial District, 2004–present
Chief Deputy Sherburne County Attorney, 2003–2004
Assistant Stearns County Attorney, 1986–2003

• Chief, Criminal Division, 1988–2003

Assistant Scott County Attorney, 1985
Assistant Mankato City Attorney, 1984–1985
District Court Law Clerk – Minnesota Ninth Judicial District, 1982–1984
Staff Attorney – Civil Aeronautics Board, Washington, D.C., 1980–1982

Education

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 1980
Bachelor of Applied Studies, University of Minnesota, 1977