Minnesota Legal News | Wednesday, February 1, 2012

• Courts brace for paperless system. Minnesota's courts are taking a bold step into the digital age. The Minnesota Judicial Council is requiring all courts go paperless in about five years — a move that, though ripe with challenges, is seen as necessary. Go to Austin Daily Herald


• County attorneys may be able to carry weapons at work. County attorneys might soon be able to carry weapons while on duty if a bill unanimously passed by a Minnesota House committee Thursday [Feb. 2] makes it through the Legislature. Go to Morris Tribune


• County Attorney's Office launches court program for military veterans. Washington County's Veterans Program will divert combat veterans from traditional criminal court and lay out a strict court-monitored treatment and rehabilitation plan aimed at aiding a population often beset by drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness. Go to South Washington County Bulletin


• Prosecutors call on Capitol for protection. Under fire and under threat, Minnesota's prosecutors want better protection from the state -- including the right to arm themselves. Go to Star Tribune


• Court: DNA search is not an invasion of privacy. The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that requiring people convicted of a crime to submit a DNA sample does not violate a constitutional right against an unreasonable search. Go to Minnesota Public Radio


• Former state Chief Justice Sheran has died at age 96. Robert Sheran, a former chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, died Wednesday [Jan. 25] night. He was 96. Go to MinnPost


• Anderson campaigns to publish names of alleged abusive priests. For at least the last 10 years, Catholic dioceses across the country have created lists of priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct. Go to Minnesota Public Radio


• A judge's view: Courtroom communication is key. Lawyers and judges talk funny. They use words like "collateral estoppel," "subrogation," "waiver," "adverse possession," "vagueness," "overbreadth" and "pre-emption." Go to Duluth News Tribune


• MN high court ruling prompts destruction of newborn blood samples. The Minnesota Department of Health is beginning to destroy blood-spot collection cards to comply with a ruling last year from the Minnesota Supreme Court. Go to Pioneer Press

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