Training Updates are designed to cover a multitude of issues confronting judges and attorneys on a regular basis. Approximately 1/2 of the updates are designed for use as in-court “cheat sheets” to assist in the making of a full and complete record.
Many judges and attorneys bookmark the blog for easy access to these “cheat sheet” updates while in court. For easy reference, these selected updates are categorized under the type of court calendar for which they typically relate.
I. BAIL HEARINGS:
1. The 36 & 48 Hour Rules for Arrest & Detentions (11-12)
2. Waiver of Extradition Advisory (13-01)
3. Felony Strangulation Facts for Bail Consideration (18-01)
II. CHILD SUPPORT CIVIL CONSTRUCTIVE CONTEMPT HEARINGS:
1. Standards to Apply in Both the Initial & Final Contempt Hearings (10-05)
III. CONCILLIATION COURT:
1. Proof of Service – Urban Myth (14-12)
IV. EVICTION (HOUSING COURT) HEARINGS:
1. 12 Basic Rules that Govern Eviction Hearings (14-22)
V. DIVORCE HEARINGS:
1. Judicial Questions to Finalize Divorce Agreements (10-09)
2. Auction Method of Distributing Personal Property (10-17)
3. Family Law Motions – 10 Basic Rules (12-09)
4. GAL Reports & The Fool-Proof Hearsay Test (20-01)
5. The #1 Rule to Follow to Ensure a Valid Karon Waiver (15-04)
VI. EXPUNGEMENT HEARINGS:
1. A Step By Step Guide to the New Expungement Law – Part 1 (15-01)
2. A Step By Step Guide to the New Expungement Law – Part 2 (15-01)
VII. OFP & HRO HEARINGS:
1. Right to Cross Exam & Present Witnesses (14-04)
2. OFP Advisory to Respondents – Right to Remain Silent (14-13)
3. Firearm Transfer or Surrender Act (14-21)
VIII. GUILTY PLEA HEARINGS:
1. Use of Leading Questions (10-01)
3. Norgaard Plea (unable to recall facts) (15-16)
4. Alford Plea (defendant denies guilt) (14-18)
5. Acceptance of Guilty Plea – When? (10-18)
6. Speeding Ticket – Dimler Amendment (13-09)
IX. SENTENCING HEARINGS:
1. Prison No Contact Orders & Probationary Jail More Than 1 Year (10-02)
2. Jail Credit Calculations – New “Clarkin” Rule (12-07)
3. Consecutive Sentencing – A Common Judicial Mistake (12-08)
4. Minnesota Jail Credit Manual (12-10)
5. Prison Commitment – Judge Must Announce Jail Credit at Sentencing (13-07)
6. Immigration – 5 Sentencing Facts Judges & Attorneys Need to Know (13-13)
7. Restitution vs. Fines – What Gets Paid First? (13-14)
8. Firearm Transfer or Surrender Act (14-21)
9. Domestic Abuse Counseling vs. Anger Management (14-16)
X. PROBATION VIOLATION HEARINGS:
1. The “Austin” Findings (11-08)
XI. TRIAL – (Management Issues):
1. Criminal Pre-Trial Checklist (11-18)
2. Professor Stephen Simon’s Online Judge’s Jury Trial Bench Book
3. Weapons & Hazardous Exhibits Policy (14-03)
4. Interpreters – 6 Procedural Steps to Follow (14-05)
5. Courtroom Closure – Full or Partial Exclusions (10-06)
6. Manual on Prosecutorial Misconduct (10-14)
8. Ordering Defendants to Wear Restraints During Trial (13-05)
9. Pro-Se Defendants at Trial – Everything a Judge Needs to Know (15-03)
10. Civil Trials – 10 Trial Issues Judges Should be prepared For (14-19)
11. Civil Trials – Ordering Summary judgment the Morning of Trial (14-01)
XII. TRIAL – (Voir Dire & Cautionary Instruction Issues):
1. Judicial Guidelines for Voir Dire (11-03)
2. Criminal Voir Dire Questions Asked by the Court (11-04)
3. “Batson” Challenge (claim of discrimination) (13-02)
3. Cautionary Jury Instructions During Trial (11-03)
XIII. TRIAL (Evidentiary Issues)
1. Defendant Stipulating to Element of Offense (11-05)
2. Admissibility of Hearsay (Crawford vs. Washington) (10-08)
3. Residual Hearsay Exception Rule – Rule of Evidence 807 (10-12)
4. Battered Woman Syndrome (10-13)
5. Impeachment – Prior Felony Conviction (11-14)
6. Rape Victims Myths – Expert Testimony (11-15)
7. Defendants Pre-Miranda Silence – Admissibility (11-16)
8. Spriegl Evidence – 5 Step Process (12-04)
9. Prior Bad Acts & Relationship Evidence (12-06)
10. Admissibility of Business Records – Rule of Evidence 803(6) (14-02)
11. Hearsay vs. Non-Hearsay: The Fool-Proof Hearsay Test (14-15)
12. Guardian Ad litem (GAL) & Fool Proof Hearsay test (20-01)
13. Admissibility of Electronic Evidence (13-11)
14. Evidentiary Rulings – Preserving the Record: 5 Rules (15-02)
15. Criminal Motions for Judgment of Acquittal (15-07)