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Minnesota’s first court was built in1862, and there are now almost 100 courts within the state. There are 314 judges in Minnesota, with salaries ranging from $120,000 to $160,000. All Minnesota judges are elected in general elections, with vacancies filled by the governor.

Minnesota is also home to over 20,000 lawyers. Minnesota attorneys must pass a vigorous bar examination, prove themselves of good moral character, and have a JD or LL.B degree from an ABA accredited law school. License to practice is regulated by the state court system and membership in the state bar association is not mandatory.

Several landmark cases that have shaped the history of the United States either began in Minnesota or were litigated there. In 1857, the Supreme Court made their now infamous ruling in Dredd Scott v. Sanford. Dredd Scott had previously resided in Minnesota, or the Wisconsin territories as it was known at the time. The area had formally abolished slavery in the mid 1800’s. Upon leaving Minnesota however, Dredd Scott was enslaved. He petitioned for his release, claiming that his residence in a free state emancipated him and he could not legally be enslaved again. The Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that no slave owner could be deprived of their “property” without due process, and that presence in a freed state did not make one free. The case was later overruled by the 13^th amendment to the United States.

Minnesota also had an integral part in shaping American 1^st amendment law. In the 1900’s, a Minnesota law that made publishing “scandalous” or defamatory material illegal was frequently used to silence newspapers that were critical of local politicians. The case of Near v. Minnesota overturned the law as unconstitutional, establishing the important constitutional principle against prior restraint.

To find an attorney in Minnesota or for more information on hiring your lawyer, visit LegalMatch.com. Alternatively, explore the following links for more information on the Minnesota legal system: