Court Watch Observation Instructions

Thank you for your interest in court watching! This guide will walk you through how to find your courtroom, what to expect when you arrive, and how to submit your observation forms after your shift. 

Step 1: Finding Your Courthouse

Hennepin & Ramsey Counties

If you are observing in Hennepin or Ramsey County, use the locations and courtroom numbers below: 

Other Counties 

If you want to observe courts outside of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, use the Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Locator to find your courthouse: 

https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/district-courts

This tool allows you to search for courts by county, find addresses and contact information, view court hours, and identify which courts handle which types of cases. 

Finding Arraignment/First Appearance Hearings 

Arraignment hearings (also called First Appearances) are where bail decisions are made. There are two ways to find when they occur: 

Method 1: Check Court Calendars Online 

1. Visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Locator 

2. Choose your county and select “Court Calendar” 

3. Use Ctrl+F to search for “First Appearance,” “Arraignment,” “Initial Appearance,” or “FA” 

4. Note the judge’s name, courtroom number, and start time 

Method 2: Call the Courthouse 

Call ahead and ask: What time do first appearance/arraignment hearings begin? Which courtroom handles first appearances/arraignments? Is there a morning and afternoon session? First Appearances/Arraignments typically occur at 8:30 or 9:00 AM (morning) and 1:30 or 2:00 PM (afternoon). Always confirm the court is open, especially during holidays or inclement weather. 

Step 2: Navigating the Courthouse 

Upon Arrival: 

1. Security Screening: You will pass through a metal detector, and your belongings will be x-ray scanned. Remove metal items and place bags on the scanner. 

2. Find Your Courtroom: Check the building directory, floor maps, or ask at the information desk. 

3. Locate Amenities: Find restrooms, water fountains, waiting areas, and exits. 

Inside the Courtroom: 

• Open doors quietly and enter during breaks between cases if possible 

• Sit in the public seating area (usually behind a divider) 

• Choose a seat where you can see and hear clearly 

• Leave space for family members of defendants 

• If the courtroom is full, wait outside until space becomes available 

Note for Observers in Other Counties: 

Smaller counties may have different practices, combine hearing types, or have less frequent schedules (weekly instead of daily) with fewer cases per session. Use the same observation forms and protocols provided. 

Step 3: Uploading Your Observation Forms 

Required Documentation: 

1. Session Summary Form (always complete) 

2. Individual Case Details Forms (as many as you completed) 

Method 1: Upload to Google Drive (Recommended) 

1. Prepare: Review your forms for completeness and legibility. 

2. Scan: Use a scanning app (Adobe Scan, CamScanner, or your phone’s built-in scanner) with good lighting. 

3. Name Your Files: Use the format YYYY-MM-DD_YourLastName_County_CourtRoom 

Example: 2026-04-15_Johnson_Hennepin_PSF142 

4. Upload: Open the Google Drive Court Watch Notes folder using the link below, click “New” or “+,” select “File upload,” choose your documents, and wait for confirmation. 

Method 2: Email Submission (Alternative) 

Use this method if you have technical difficulties with Google Drive. 

Email to: mffcourtwatch@gmail.com 

Subject line: Court Watch Observation – [Date] – [Your Name] 

Include in the email body: 

• Date, county, judge, start/end times, total cases observed 

• Any additional context, questions, or notes 

• Attach all scanned forms (total size under 10MB) and verify attachments before sending