Minnesota Agencies

Screens judicial candidates and makes recommendations to the governor for all Minnesota district court openings. Members are attorneys and nonattorneys appointed by the governor and the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The Judicial Selection process in Minnesota has changed over the years. Our agency notebooks contain some correspondence and articles that help show these changes. Please see the record for the "Judicial Merit Advisory Commission" as well.

The Commission has 49 members. 27 are appointed by the Governor and 22 are appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court. 9 of these members are appointed at large to consider vacancies within every judicial district. Of these 9 members, at least 3 must be non-attorneys. 4 members are appointed to represent each of Minnesota’s 10 judicial districts. Of these 4 members, there must be at least 2 non-attorneys. Each member of the Commission is appointed to a 4 year term that ends at the conclusion of the Governor’s term.