Committee for Equality and Justice
In June 2010, the Minnesota Judicial Council authorized formation of the Committee for Equality and Justice (CEJ).
Mission
To work collaboratively across the Judicial Branch to advance efforts to eliminate bias from court operations, promote equal access to the court, and inspire a high level of trust and public confidence in the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
To accomplish this mission, the CEJ is charged with:
- Recommending diversity and inclusion education programs and course materials for judges and Judicial Branch employees;
- Promoting diversity and inclusion in the Judicial Branch employment and in appointments to Judicial Branch committees and boards to reflect the population served by the Judicial Branch;
- Making recommendations for improvement in court processes, procedures and policies as they relate to race, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by law; and
- Assisting district Equal Justice Committees in their work at the local level, and providing assistance in outreach efforts to the communities they serve.
CEJ membership is reflective of the state’s geographic and demographic diversity. It is comprised of 28 individuals who are justice system partners, attorneys, court employees, judges and members of the public.
CEJ Strategic Plan
CEJ Reports
Former Gender Fairness Implementation Committee Reports
Former Racial Fairness Committee Reports
Community Dialogue Sessions
Since June 2008, Equal Justice Committees from each of the 10 judicial districts, engage in an initiative aimed at learning how the community views racial, ethnic and other areas of fairness in the Minnesota court system. Community Dialogues piloted on June 30, 2008, in the Second Judicial District. Since the pilot session, other judicial districts have hosted Community Dialogue Sessions with their local community members. Below are the final summary reports* from each Community Dialogue Session that has been held.
- Seventh Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Moorhead, October 6, 2022
- CEJ Ten-Year Review of Community Dialogues 2008 - 2018
- Seventh Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - November 6, 2019
- Fifth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - St. Peter, October 8, 2019
- Third Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Austin, May 8, 2019
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Columbia Heights, November 15, 2018
- Eighth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Willmar, June 12, 2018
- First Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Shakopee, May 22, 2018
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Fridley, February 21, 2018
- First Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Apple Valley, October 25, 2017
- Second Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - October 11, 2017
- Ninth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Mahnomen, August 22, 2017
- First Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Apple Valley, April 26, 2017
- Eighth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Willmar, April 22, 2017
- Fifth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Worthington, March 5, 2017
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Fridley, January 31, 2017
- Ninth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Bemidji, November 15, 2016
- Third Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Rochester, November 3, 2016
- Sixth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Duluth, October 29, 2016
- Fourth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Minneapolis, August 10, 2016
- Fourth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Minneapolis, June 16, 2016
- Seventh Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - St. Cloud, May 21, 2016
- Seventh Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - St. Cloud, May 2, 2016
- Third Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Rochester, April 28, 2016
- Fourth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Minneapolis, November 2015
- Fourth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Minneapolis, April 2015
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - St. Cloud, October 2013
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Hinckley, February 2012
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Hinckley, May 2011
- Third Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Rochester, October 2010
- First Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Chaska, April 2010
- Tenth Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Columbia Heights, May 2009
- First Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Eagan, September 2008
- First Judicial District Community Dialogue Session Report - Dakota County Jail, October 2008
- Second Judicial District Pilot Session Report - St. Paul, June 30, 2008
*The suggestions proposed at the Community Dialogue Sessions are reported here to reflect the substance of the discussion at each dialogue session. Unless otherwise noted, the Judicial Branch has not formally adopted these suggestions.
Contact the Committee for Equality and Justice.