"News From Your Court" monthly Chief Judge column

Nearly 40% of Minnesotans say they know "little or nothing" about the court system. In addition, nearly half of Minnesotans say they think courts are out of touch with what is going on in their communities.

In an effort to make the courts a bit less mysterious to the people we serve, Chief Judge James T. Swenson writes monthly columns addressing issues of interest such as rising crime rates, what to do to keep drunken-drivers off the road and keeping kids out of trouble.

Two Americas (November 2008)

Budget Cuts Impact (September 2008)

First Year Results from DWI Court Show Great Success (August 2008)

Hennepin County has a New Chief Judge (July 2008)

Are We Ready for Cameras in the Courtroom? (November 2007)

Mental Health Court and PRISM Center (October 2007)

Foreclosures & The Hidden Costs (September 2007)

Ignition Interlock Pilot for DWI Offenders with Revoked Licenses Launched (August 2007)

So You Got a Traffic Ticket!! Now What? (July 2007)

The Right to Pretrial Release - How does a Judge Decide? (June 2007)

The Duke Lacrosse Case: How did it Happen? (May 2007)

Problem-solving Courts: A Search for Better Outcomes (April 2007)