Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

Chapter
Three
State Judiciary
Chapter Three State Judiciary
22
MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT
Jurisdiction: Minnesota has a district court, divided into 10 judicial districts. The chief justice of
the supreme court has the power to assign judges from one district to serve in another. The constitution
provides that the district court has original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases and such
appellate jurisdiction as may be prescribed by law.
Judges: Each district has three or more judges. Judges are elected by the voters of the district to
six-year terms; vacancies are filled by governor’s appointment. Judges are nominated and elected
without party designation. Candidates file for a specific judgeship. Judges of each district elect a
chief judge and assistant chief judge to exercise general administrative authority over the courts of
the district.
Salary: $124,047 chief judges; $118,141 judges
Note: Judicial districts are comprised of whole counties.