Sunday, May 19, 2013
In all, Minnesota’s prisons house approximately 9,500 adult inmates at an annual cost of approximately $465 million.
You probably know that there are two prisons in Washington County: The Stillwater prison (which is actually in Bayport) and the Oak Park Heights prison. Did you know that there are also eight other prisons in Minnesota? Nine are for men. The state’s only women’s prison is in Shakopee. Why are there so many prisons? Aren’t they all the same? First, understand that a prison is different than a jail. Prisons are set up in a number of different ways, one of the main ways deals with the “custody classification system.” This system differentiates between the levels of security necessary for inmates. The most dangerous offenders are kept at a level 5 maximum-security prison. Those who are considered the least dangerous, including some who are …
Sunday, March 31, 2013
If you think you have never met a judge, you may be surprised to learn that in fact you already have.
“I’ve never met a judge before.” When I hear that from folks I usually respond that it is probably a good thing. Most people who meet a judge have had something go wrong in their life. While there are 4.5 million Minnesotans, only 289 are judges. As our work tends to be somewhat isolated in impersonal buildings behind formidable security checkpoints, few people really know who we are. In reality, there are a lot of people who have probably met a judge before but did not know it. Minnesota’s trial courts are divided into ten districts. Washington County is one of eight counties in the 10th District. There are 45 judges in the 10th District. Ten judges are chambered at the Stillwater courthouse. Stillwater’s judges come from a variety of …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Washington County DIstrict Court Judge Greg Galler discusses the question: "Is it worth spending money to hire a lawyer to represent you?"
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Monday, December 17, 2012
Judges see a number of people who come to court “pro se.” Pro se means without an attorney. Judges hear some interesting reasons as to why people aren’t represented by lawyers: “I’ve seen it on TV,” or “My cousin did his own case and did fine,” or “How hard could it be?” The main reason given is that it can be quite expensive to hire a lawyer. Is it worth spending money to hire a lawyer to represent you? Lawyers are highly educated and trained professionals whose job it is to look out for the interests of their clients. In addition to completing college, lawyers also graduated from law school. Law school involves three years of intensive study. Before being allowed to practice, lawyers must also pass the bar exam. The bar exam takes two …
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court decision on Obamacare could turn on judges' chosen theory of judicial review.
The role of the courts has received a lot of attention following hearings at the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the law commonly known as “Obamacare.” Many, including the president, have discussed something called “judicial review.” Judicial review refers to a power held by the courts to decide if a law violates the Constitution or not. If the law violates the Constitution, the courts will “strike down” the law declaring it invalid. Perhaps ironically, the court’s power to declare a law to be unconstitutional is not specifically addressed in the U.S. Constitution. Instead, it is considered to be an inherent power of the courts. The U. S. Supreme Court first declared a law to be unconstitutional in 1803 in a case known as Marbury vs. …
Friday, February 17, 2012
Washington County's new Veterans Program has an ambitious dual purpose of protecting public safety and reclaiming the hearts, minds and lives of our combat veterans.
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Friday, February 17, 2012
He sat alone considering the distorted image that reflected back at him from the chrome-plated revolver in his hand. His life seemed distorted too, it made no sense. He couldn’t see a way out. It had once been so different - full of hope, dreams, and promise. But that was long ago; before he had been sent to fight for his country. He had seen and experienced things that the human mind is not well-equipped to comprehend. Scenes and nightmares now raced through his mind—day and night. He was no longer in control of his thoughts, mood or life. At first the alcohol and drugs masqueraded as friends helping him to cope. Now they have further trapped him in a vicious downward spiral; unemployed, lashing out at family, and in trouble with the …
Markus
9:28 am on Saturday, April 14, 2012
It's clear when reading the Constitution the intent was to establish the fact that individual rights are inherent and God-given, limit the central government to a few enumerated functions, and grant states autonomy. The perverted system we are now living under would make the Founders roll over in their graves. Freedom from interference from a (now massive) central government to live our lives how… more ›