Senior Judge Mary Yunker

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 on Oct. 1, 2004. Elected in 2006, 2012, and 2018. Retired on Nov. 15, 2022. Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from Jan. 15, 2023, to June 30, 2025.

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–Nov. 15, 2022
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