District Court Judge

Counties: Anoka

State Court Bio: View Bio

Motion Practice

• How long do you normally allow per party for argument of non-dispositive motions? 15 minutes
• How long do you normally allow per party for oral argument of dispositive motions? 15 minutes
• With respect to oral argument, do you prefer an attorney to not reiterate written material? Yes
• Do you regularly conduct hearings and motions by phone? No
  If yes, please describe the procedure you would like attorneys to use to do so, including how testimony is to be transcribed and who puts the teleconference together: 
• State any specific procedures you would like attorneys in your courtroom to follow at motion hearings: Be prepared. Know and be prepared to discuss any relevant case law, statute or rule upon which you are basing your motion.
• Do you like to receive courtesy copies of motion papers? No

Discovery Disputes

• Do you require counsel to "meet and confer" before bringing discovery disputes to a hearing? Yes
• Will you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during the course of a deposition? No

Pretrial Procedures

• When do you normally set the pretrial in relation to the trial? Final pretrial to hear motions in limine and other evidentiary issues is scheduled two weeks before trial
• Do you normally hear motions in limine at the pretrial? Yes
• When are jury instructions due? Typically two weeks before trial and before final pretrial
• When are proposed special verdict forms due? Typically two weeks before trial and before final pretrial
• When do you require that final witness lists be exchanged and filed? Typically two weeks before trial and before final pretrial
• When do you require that final exhibit lists be exchanged and filed? Typically two weeks before trial and before final pretrial
• Do you discuss settlement of the case with the parties at the time of the pretrial? Yes
• State any specific procedures you would like attorneys to follow at the time of the pretrial: Follow the rules of civil procedure and general practice. The trial attorney must be present at pretrial as well as anyone with authority to settle the case. Also be prepared to discuss the items included in section 5 of the Minnesota Civil Trialbook.

Continuances and Changes in the Scheduling Order

• For changes in the scheduling order, except date of trial: Changes in the scheduling order can be handled by stipulation of the parties or if not agreed upon then by a motion to the court.
• For changes on the date of trial: By agreement of the parties or by motion
• Under what circumstances would you consider granting a change in the trial date? 

Civil Jury Trials

• Do you perform preliminary voir dire? Yes
• Do you place a time limit on voir dire by counsel? No
• Is there subject matter you will not permit counsel to ask of the jury? Yes
  If yes, please explain:
• Do you require counsel to sit or stand during questioning of witnesses? Sit
• Do you require counsel to be behind counsel table unless counsel has a specific reason to approach a witness? Yes
• Do you normally require counsel to meet each morning with the court before the jury comes into the courtroom? Yes
  If yes, how many minutes before court commences? 30 minutes
• I normally start jury trials at: 9:00 a.m.
• I normally give the jury a break of 15 minutes minutes in the morning.
• I normally take a lunch break at: 12:00 p.m.
• I normally give the jury a break of 15 minutes minutes in the afternoon.
• I normally finish court for the day at: 4:30 p.m.
• Do you permit jurors to:
  Take Notes: Yes
  Keep notes during deliberation? Yes
  Ask the witnesses questions? No
• If counsel asks to approach to argue a ruling, do you generally: 
• Do you place a time limit on final argument? No
  If yes, If yes, what is the time limit?
• When do you instruct the jury? Before final argument
• After argument and instructions, do you:
  Require counsel to be available by telephone? Yes
  Request that counsel remain at the courthouse during deliberations of the jury? 
  Take a verdict without counsel present and inform them after the verdict by telephone of the result? Yes

Sanctions of Counsel

• Have you ever sanctioned counsel with imposition of a fine? No
  Or jail? No
• Have you ever held counsel in contempt of court? No
• Have you ever reported an attorney for unethical behavior? No
• When, if ever, would you consider issuing sanctions, formal reprimands, holding an attorney in contempt, or reporting an attorney for unethical behavior?