Chief justice: Remote hearings could still be in Minnesota courts' future

The Minnesota court system's pandemic-induced pivot to virtual hearings may not fully go away once COVID-19 recedes, the state's chief justice said last week.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea said there is broad support from attorneys, law enforcement and victim advocates for keeping remote court hearings around in some capacity. Those in favor cited increased access to the court system, cost savings and safety and security benefits, she said.

Because of this, Gildea said in her annual State of the Judiciary Address, Minnesota's courts system is undergoing a statewide study to determine the future of remote hearings.

"Our goal needs to be finding the right balance — determining what matters are best handled in the courtroom, and where we can offer increased flexibility and convenience through remote hearings," Gildea said in remarks to the Minnesota State Bar Association's yearly convention.

A small team of judges and court administrators dubbed the "Other Side Workgroup" has been studying the judicial branch's post-pandemic future and will give its findings to the Minnesota Judicial Council next month.

In August, the Minnesota Supreme Court will hold its first in-person oral argument since the pandemic struck, the chief justice said, and plans to resume a normal schedule of in-person arguments in September.

Stephen Montemayor