Mahnomen County Jail Criminal Court Process

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Criminal Court Process for Mahnomen County Minnesota

State criminal charges in Mahnomen County are heard at the Mahnomen County Courthouse in the city of Mahnomen, the county seat, by the Mahnomen County District Court. The court is part of the Ninth Judicial District, the largest district in Minnesota by area. The Mahnomen County Attorney prosecutes felonies and juvenile cases, and lower-level offenses from inside Mahnomen, Waubun or Bejou are generally handled by the city's prosecuting attorney. The Mahnomen County Sheriff runs the county jail in the courthouse building.

The entire county lies within the White Earth Reservation. Some matters involving enrolled members can instead go to the White Earth Band's own tribal court, so the charging papers should be checked to confirm which court a case is in.

  • Mahnomen County District Court Administration (Ninth Judicial District), Mahnomen County Courthouse, 311 North Main Street, Mahnomen, MN 56557, (218) 935-2251
  • Mahnomen County Attorney's Office, prosecutor for felonies, juvenile delinquency and township offenses, Mahnomen
  • Ninth Judicial District Public Defender (State Board of Public Defense), defense counsel for eligible Mahnomen County defendants; Mahnomen County clients can reach its Thief River Falls office at 208 LaBree Avenue, Suite 102, Thief River Falls, MN 56701, (218) 681-0952
  • Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office and Jail, 311 North Main Street, Mahnomen, MN 56557, (218) 935-2255

Which court hears your case. Every state criminal charge in the county, from a petty misdemeanor ticket up to a felony, is filed in Mahnomen County District Court; Minnesota has no municipal courts. The charge level decides who prosecutes and what hearings come next. Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors committed inside a city are usually prosecuted by that city's attorney, who may be a contracted private lawyer. Those committed in the county's townships, and every felony, are prosecuted by the Mahnomen County Attorney.

Where pretrial detainees are held. A person arrested on a state charge in Mahnomen County who is not released is held in the Mahnomen County Jail, operated by the Sheriff at 311 North Main Street in Mahnomen, the same building as the courtroom. The jail can be reached through the Sheriff's Office at (218) 935-2255 for questions about custody, bail or visits.

Misdemeanor (for example, theft, a first DWI, fifth-degree assault, trespassing)

This part of the guide explains petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, the three levels below a felony. The petty misdemeanor is the lightest: legally it is not a crime, and the only penalty is a fine that cannot exceed $300. In Mahnomen County, officers frequently issue a citation for a minor offense, and someone who is booked can often leave the jail after paying bail according to the court's schedule.

Arraignment within 36 hours

Minnesota's Rule 4.01 requires that an in-custody defendant appear before a judge within 36 hours of arrest, leaving out the arrest day, Sundays and legal holidays. A warrantless arrest additionally needs a judicial probable-cause determination within 48 hours. At the misdemeanor arraignment in Mahnomen, the judge informs you of the charge, asks about a lawyer and addresses release. The judge can release you on your promise to appear, or set paired bail amounts in which the lower figure is available only if you accept conditions like alcohol monitoring or avoiding contact with certain people. Commercial bail bonds are lawful and available.

Public defender appointment

Anyone facing possible jail who cannot afford private counsel may apply for a public defender at the arraignment. The court checks income, and the Ninth District Public Defender is assigned to qualifying Mahnomen County defendants.

Later court dates

A pretrial hearing gives the prosecutor and defense a chance to negotiate; many cases end there with a plea or dismissal. If not, the case is set for trial before six jurors, whose verdict must be unanimous. Once a defendant demands a speedy trial, it must be held within 60 days.

Penalties under Minnesota law for Mahnomen County cases

  • Misdemeanor: a Mahnomen County sentence is capped at 90 days and $1,000.
  • Gross misdemeanor: capped at 364 days in jail and $3,000.
  • Theft: up to $500 is a misdemeanor, and theft valued from $500 to $1,000 is a gross misdemeanor.
  • Fifth-degree assault: a misdemeanor for a first offense, a gross misdemeanor when prior qualifying convictions exist.
  • A first DWI stop in Mahnomen County: without aggravating factors this is fourth-degree DWI, a misdemeanor. One aggravating factor, such as testing at 0.16 or above, having a child under 16 in the car or refusing a chemical test, makes it third-degree DWI, a gross misdemeanor. Expect a separate administrative license revocation, and possibly ignition interlock, plate impoundment and a chemical use assessment.

Resolutions range from dismissal and continuance for dismissal to a stay of adjudication, probation, a fine or local jail time. Plan for one to four months in most cases.

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Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug sale, second-degree assault)

Any crime with a possible penalty longer than a year in prison is a felony. These cases begin with a criminal complaint signed by the Mahnomen County Attorney's office. A defendant in custody has a Rule 5 first appearance within the 36-hour limit, at which the judge reviews the complaint, decides on public defender eligibility and sets bail and conditions of release.

The road to trial or plea in Mahnomen

Felonies return to court for a Rule 8 second appearance, where evidence is shared and the defendant can enter a plea. The omnibus hearing is next; defense motions to suppress evidence or dismiss for lack of probable cause are argued there. Settlement conferences may be scheduled before trial. A felony trial uses 12 jurors who must agree unanimously. After a guilty plea or verdict, probation prepares a presentence investigation report for the judge.

Mahnomen County felony sentences

Judges apply the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines grid. Its two axes, offense severity and criminal history score, determine whether the presumptive sentence is stayed, meaning probation, or executed, meaning prison. Moving away from that presumptive result is allowed only when a Mahnomen judge finds substantial and compelling reasons.

  • Felony theft in Mahnomen County: more than $1,000 can draw 5 years; more than $5,000, 10 years; more than $35,000, 20 years.
  • Burglary: the first degree tops out at 20 years, the second at 10 and the third at 5.
  • Sale of drugs in the first degree: a 30-year maximum.
  • Second-degree assault, which involves a dangerous weapon: a 7-year maximum, with a mandatory minimum that can apply to firearms.

Through a stay of imposition, a felony can end up on the record as a misdemeanor if probation is completed. When prison is imposed, two-thirds of the term is typically spent in custody and one-third on supervised release. Expect a Mahnomen County felony to take four to twelve months, usually with the same public defender from start to finish.

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Violent felony (for example, murder, criminal sexual conduct, aggravated robbery)

A violent felony in Mahnomen County uses the same hearings as any other felony, but bail is much higher and detention for the life of the case is common. An indictment from a grand jury is required only for first-degree murder and other crimes punishable by life.

Penalty ranges

  • First-degree murder: a mandatory life term. Life without parole applies to premeditated murder and certain other categories; other first-degree convictions carry parole eligibility after 30 years. Minnesota does not have capital punishment, having repealed it in 1911.
  • Second-degree murder: no more than 40 years. Third-degree murder: no more than 25 years.
  • First-degree criminal sexual conduct: no more than 30 years, with a guidelines presumptive sentence of 144 months for a first-time offender in Mahnomen County.
  • First-degree aggravated robbery: no more than 20 years.

Victims are guaranteed notice, attendance and the opportunity to speak at sentencing under chapter 611A of Minnesota Statutes. The Ninth District Public Defender represents eligible defendants. Investigations, laboratory work and pretrial motions mean these cases often take one to two years or longer.

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Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Mahnomen County

State charges against children and teens under 18 are heard by the juvenile division of Mahnomen County District Court. The Mahnomen County Attorney decides whether to file a delinquency petition. For a first, minor offense, diversion is a common route that can resolve the case without a court finding.

Juveniles are not housed in the county jail. If detention is needed, the youth is typically taken to the nearest regional center with an open bed, such as the Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center in Bemidji or the West Central Regional Juvenile Center in Moorhead, and a detention hearing must take place within 36 hours of being taken into custody, excluding weekends and holidays. The judge then decides whether the young person can return home.

Prosecutors can seek Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile (EJJ) designation for certain 14- to 17-year-olds; the youth receives a juvenile disposition plus an adult sentence that stays suspended unless the terms are violated. Youth 14 and older may be certified for adult prosecution, and certification is presumed for 16- or 17-year-olds charged with an offense that carries a presumptive prison commitment or that was committed with a firearm. A Mahnomen County teen of 16 or 17 accused of first-degree murder faces trial as an adult. Juvenile files are generally confidential, though some felony records of youth 16 and older may be public. Eligible youth are entitled to a public defender.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Mahnomen County

Besides the Mahnomen County District Court and the White Earth tribal court, there is a third court that can hear a case from this county: the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Mahnomen County is in the Sixth Division, based at the Edward J. Devitt U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 118 S. Mill Street, Fergus Falls, MN 56537, and trial jurors are drawn from that division. The first hearings in a federal case are often held in Minneapolis or St. Paul. For questions about a Mahnomen County federal case, the Clerk of Court's line is (612) 664-5000.

Minnesota is a Public Law 280 state, so crimes on the White Earth Reservation are generally prosecuted by the state rather than federally; the federal Major Crimes Act exception in Minnesota applies to the Red Lake and Bois Forte reservations, not White Earth.

When federal charges are filed

Federal court takes cases that violate federal law, investigated by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspectors or the IRS. Usual examples are drug trafficking in large amounts or across state lines, felon-in-possession and other firearms offenses, fraud, child exploitation, bank robbery and immigration crimes. A Mahnomen County Sheriff's arrest can be adopted for federal prosecution, and the same conduct may be charged by both the state and the United States.

Federal offices

  • U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota: Minneapolis, U.S. Courthouse, 300 S. 4th Street, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55415, (612) 664-5600; St. Paul, 316 N. Robert Street, Suite 404, St. Paul, MN 55101, (651) 848-1950.
  • Office of the Federal Defender, which represents eligible Mahnomen County defendants: 107 U.S. Courthouse, 300 S. 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415, (612) 664-5858; a private CJA panel attorney is appointed if it has a conflict.
  • U.S. Marshals Service: the Fergus Falls office is staffed only during terms of court, so call Minneapolis, (612) 664-5900.

From arrest to judgment

Arrest by federal agents, or on a federal warrant or indictment, is followed by an initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge, who explains the charges and appoints counsel. Where the government seeks detention, a hearing is usually held within 3 court days. The Bail Reform Act provides for release on conditions supervised by U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, and for detention when no conditions will assure appearance and safety. There are no bail bondsmen in federal court; money bail is rare. A complaint must be followed by a grand jury indictment within 30 days of arrest, unless a preliminary hearing is held, and then arraignment. Trial is due within 70 days under the Speedy Trial Act, though continuances are common, and plea agreements end most cases; a jury of 12 must reach a unanimous verdict. Sentencing comes about three months after plea or verdict, after a presentence report, under the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and any mandatory minimum. Without parole, people serve at least about 85% of the sentence after good-conduct time, in a Bureau of Prisons facility, followed by supervised release. Appeals go to the Eighth Circuit.

The Marshals keep federal pretrial detainees in contract county jails across Minnesota and at times out of state, so a person arrested in Mahnomen County may be moved to another county. Families can get the location from the Marshals; sentenced people appear in the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. Federal prosecution of a Mahnomen County youth under 18 is rare.

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This page summarizes the general process for state criminal cases in Mahnomen County and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have been charged, consult a defense attorney or request the Ninth District Public Defender at your first court appearance. Court administration in Mahnomen can be reached at (218) 935-2251.

Criminal Court Process for Mahnomen County Minnesota

Mahnomen County Minnesota Criminal Court System - Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Minnesota Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Mahnomen County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when Minnesota, Mahnomen County, or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Mahnomen County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the Mahnomen County jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested has the opportunity to “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Minnesota, Mahnomen County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Mahnomen County or the district is called the County Attorney or Assistant County Attorney.  A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment is when a judge determines whether or not the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by Mahnomen County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment.

Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Mahnomen County jail until their trial.  

Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. Jailors, law enforcement and prosecutors generally do not have authority to set bail. A judge or court officer in Mahnomen County or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Minnesota rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible to pay the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash percentage in lieu of bonds.  If the bond order permits, the defendant pays a percentage of the amount, (sometimes up to 100%) to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. The amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, or it can be used toward paying any court fines incurred by the defendant.

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in Minnesota, Mahnomen County. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Minnesota.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).  Usually, the property must be in Mahnomen County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

A Secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front. If they show to court, they would get the money back and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount.

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases. 

Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases. There is a chief public defender in each of Minnesota’s 10 judicial districts who oversees indigent care needs whether by a public defender or an attorney who is contracted at a reduced rate. The time to ask for indigent representation is as soon as possible to avoid errors while not represented.

For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. This website provides contact information for pro bono services in Minnesota:

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.  Here is a link for legal self-help centers in Minnesota.

A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are located in the community.  A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There is one U.S. federal district court in Minnesota, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

Minnesota Felony vs Misdemeanor

The level of a criminal offense in Minnesota is tied to the potential penalty for a violation. For example, a misdemeanor crime is punishable by up to 90 days of incarceration, up to a $1,000 fine, or both.

Specific examples of misdemeanor offenses include simple assault, first-time driving while under the influence (DWI), and theft of property valued at less than $500. Some misdemeanors are deemed “payable,” meaning that a guilty plea can be accepted via mail by paying a fine. No court appearance is necessary in those cases.
 
Petty misdemeanors are less severe than a misdemeanor and are only punishable by a fine of no more than $300. An arrest cannot be made for a petty misdemeanor, and a judge cannot sentence someone to serve jail time for a petty misdemeanor conviction. Examples of petty misdemeanors include parking offenses and some minor drug crimes. In some cases, a misdemeanor offense can be deemed a petty misdemeanor for the purposes of sentencing. This is usually the result of a plea bargain agreement between the prosecutor and offender.
 
Minnesota also has a gross misdemeanor category of offenses that are considered more serious than a misdemeanor but less serious than a felony. A gross misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in jail, up to a $3,000 fine, or both. Examples of gross misdemeanor offenses include prostitution, a second or subsequent DWI, or theft of property valued at more than $500 but less than $1000.
 
A felony is the most serious and is punishable by more than one year in prison.  Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and identity theft. Incarceration as the result of a felony conviction is carried out at a state-level prison, as opposed to a jail or county workhouse, where those convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor may serve their time.

The Mahnomen County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Mahnomen County County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

Minnesota Criminal Court System - How it Works

Municipal courts handle violations of municipal ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations, and misdemeanor offenses that occur within the city’s police jurisdiction. Not all cities or towns in Minnesota have municipal courts and, instead, may use the district courts for any and all offenses that occur within the city.

District courts in Minnesota can be city-wide or county-wide and can combine several counties into one district.  The Minnesota state district courts handle all criminal cases: traffic, misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony offenses from beginning to end unless the case is dealt with in a Municipal court. The district court is the only court in Minnesota that handles felony cases. Juvenile cases are heard in a separate division of the district court. 

Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offenders. This allows the offender to retain a job or meet other responsibilities while following specific orders of the court. The conditions may include routine ongoing court appearances, periodic evaluations, or testing for drugs or alcohol. Minnesota calls these courts treatment courts, and the divisions of treatment courts include adult drug, DWI, family dependency, mental health, and veteran’s treatment courts.

Juvenile Justice system in Minnesota: All of the above applies only to adult offenders. Persons under 18 who are charged with criminal behavior are seen by judges in the juvenile court, which is a separate division of the Minnesota district court. These courts take a strongly rehabilitative approach that involves not only the child but also the family or caretaker, school system, and community providers.

If the offense committed by the juvenile is serious (rape, robbery, or murder, for example), the court may certify the child as an adult and refer them to the adult court system for the same type of processing as any other adult. That is somewhat rare and is reserved only for the most serious types of criminal behavior. 

The following link provides further information on the Minnesota juvenile court processes.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Minnesota State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.  

The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Minnesota state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There is one U.S. Federal Judicial District in Minnesota.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Mahnomen County

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.