The Hennepin County Public Defender's Office represents adults charged with misdemeanors and felonies who lack the means to hire an attorney, as well as juveniles alleged to be delinquent. "This is something that's near and dear to me.". Hawkins Law Office, P.A. KARE 11 attempted to seek comment from Benson by phone, email, and in-person at the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office, but he did not return messages. The federal probe started in July 2020 six months before Benson was hired by the state when, according to the affidavit, revenue agent Joni Jacobsson began an audit relating to the 2017 forms Benson was to have filed. Our department is committed to advancing health and racial equity. Jail locations Hennepin County Public Safety Facility. Correction (Oct. 1, 2020): A previous version of this story had an incorrect tally for the Board of Public Defense's vote. We take you beyond the headlines to the world we share in Minnesota. As a mandated reporter, your name is confidential, accessible only if you consent, by a court order or by a court procedure. Read more on the Hennepin County Attorney's be@school webpage. Privacy Policy Employees. Ward credited Benson and his leadership team for developing a training and development program for attorneys. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. At the meeting, civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong said Moriarty has consistently fought against systemic problems, particularly racial profiling in traffic stops. Retired judge Martha Holton Dimick (left) will face former chief public defender Mary Moriarty in the November general election for Hennepin County attorney. The Chief Public Defender shall be a full-time qualified attorney, licensed to practice law in Minnesota; shall serve in the unclassified service of the State; shall be removed only . Benson started as Hennepin Countys Public Defender in January 2021, according to his private law firm website. "It is a private, personal decision for Mr. Benson. Moriarty was Hennepin County Public Defender for six years and spent a total of 31 years in the office before retiring in 2021. Minneapolis, MN, 55415 Phone: 612-348-7530 Website:https://www.hennepinpublicdefender.org/ About the Public Defenders Office Bob Kolstad, union steward for the lawyers represented by the Teamsters Local 320 in the Hennepin County office, said Benson's continued outside work "shows he's not as 100% into the job as he claimed he would be.". Email publichealth@hennepin.us with general questions about the department. A Hubbard Broadcasting Company. Hennepin County's Age Friendly Action Plan (PDF) Susan Palchick, Public Health Director susan.palchick@hennepin.us Department contact information publichealth@hennepin.us Phone: 612-348-8900 Open all Programs and initiatives I'm not running that practice. My commitment to this work will simply continue in a different capacity.". Mandated reporters include people who work with children in health care, social services, education, mental health, child care, law enforcement, the courts, clergy, and corrections settings. Public Safety Facility (Criminal Court) (612) 348-2040 Records Center (Main) (612) 348-3170 Research Department (612) 348-6000 . The warrant states that Bensons payroll practices failed to report the quarterly wages and employment taxes to the IRS for all quarters for tax years 2013 and 2015-2019. Ramsey County Bar Association | 332 Minnesota Street Suite 2550, St Paul, 55101 | 651-222-0846 |info@mnbars.org, 2021 Minnesota State Bar Association | Contact Us | Home |Site Map | Terms of Use | Site Design by ONE400, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display. The Public Defender fulfills the Constitutional guarantee of the right to have an attorney. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office's new Brady policy released in mid-October does not pass constitutional muster and fails to take the steps needed to ensure justice for defendants in Hennepin County. Please see the Information for mandated reporters section below for additional guidance. Human services MPR News is not just a listener supported source of information, it's a resource where listeners are supported. C11, Hennepin County Government Center Public Safety Facility Brookdale Courthouse Ridgedale Courthouse Self-Help Center services are available by phone and email, as well as in person. Subdivision 1. Despite holding a full-time government job for 18 months, Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson has continued to represent private clients, a practice that may be illegal.. Im going to be really honest here because at this point I really have nothing to lose. Although the board voted 4-2 against her, Macalester professor. Mary Moriarty as Hennepin County chief public defender. The boards vote sets in motion a process to appoint a new chief defender that is laid out in, : Hennepin County District Chief Judge Toddrick S. Barnette, who became the. Find information on Hennepin County properties including but not limited to taxes due (tax statement), current and prior year taxes, assessment values, tax parcel description, and sales information. , cast one the two votes in Moriartys favor and was one of her most vigorous defenders. Mary Moriarty and Martha Holton Dimick bested five other candidates in the August primary to advance to the Nov. 8 general election. 100% of the work is for people who lack the means to hire a private attorney. We do outreach to high school students and to others who may be interested in the public health field. The county's natural areas are covered with . New, local data helps combat winter weather hazards Frost depth and freezing rain can contribute to potential hazards such as frozen water mains, spring flooding, and icy roads. We advise our clients, empower them to make decisions, and advocate on their behalf in. Online search. The two who earn the most votes at the August 9 primaries will move forward to the . Benson said the case was attached to an earlier matter so he is continuing to represent the client, Thomas Creed Johnson. Child sexual abuse is sexual conduct with a child by a person responsible for the childs care, or by a person who has a significant relationship to the child. By January 2021, Benson had stopped speaking to Jacobsson. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. The Board of Public Defense voted 4-2 against re-appointing Moriarty to the post that she's held. Ann D. Montgomery, United States . The Hennepin County Public Defender Office provides peer mentoring to support employees. DFL-endorsed candidate Mary Moriarty, former chief public defender in Hennepin County, was comfortably in first place with more than 36% of the votes with 393 of 397 precincts reporting results around 10 p.m. Tuesday. Contact Editor Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com. No criminal charges have been filed against Benson at this time. "It is about questionable management decisions, Ward said. According to a citation filed earlier this month in Hennepin County, a police officer noted Bensons eyes were bloodshot and watery. Find out what works well at Hennepin County Public Defender's Office from the people who know best. sheriff.jailinfo@hennepin.us. elected to that position in May, will appoint two ad hoc members to the board for the purposes of choosing the next chief Hennepin County public defender. They are: Martha Holton Dimick, Jarvis Jones, Thaddeus "Tad" Jude, Mary Moriarty, Paul Ostrow, Saraswati Singh, and Ryan Winkler. Find Salaries Clear All Minneapolis Filter View as: Assorted Pay Periods Assorted Pay Periods Hourly Pay Periods Monthly Pay Periods Annual Pay Periods Sort: Most Reports Most Reports Highest to Lowest Lowest to Highest Assistant Public Defender The information below provides the statutory definitions of maltreatment. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 3, the district public defender and assistant public defenders of the Second Judicial District are employees of Ramsey County in the unclassified service under section 383A.286. In Minneapolis, the Public Defender Office provides legal representation to individuals facing incarceration without the financial means to hire their own lawyer. Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson has made the decision to resign, Minnesota's Chief Public Defender Bill Ward confirmed on Monday. The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets cant or wont tell. He noted that the board had received 175 emails about the vote, with all of them in support of Moriarty. "The reality is I'm working all the time," Benson said. Hennepin County Bar Association | 600 Nicollet Mall Suite 390, Minneapolis . Hennepin County public defender Kellie Charles speaks during a court hearing in St. Paul in May 2010. No ads. If you have a court case scheduled in Hennepin County District Court call (612) 348-6000 to determine if your case will be heard in person or remote. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Mary Moriarty and Martha Holton Dimick bested five other candidates in the August primary to advance to the November 8 general election. If the child dies, it is a felony. Moriarty previously served as the Chief Public Defender of Hennepin County. that despite the setback she will seek her own job again when the current term finishes at the end of the year. Kassius Benson, the chief public defender for Hennepin County, announced on Monday that he is resigning for "personal issues" after nearly two years. Reached by text, Benson sent 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS this statement: My decision to resign was a difficult one. Bensons arraignment is scheduled in December in the Second Judicial District. In a civil petition filed last week, Benson alleges the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop and arrest him for DWI. "I understand the concern. Threatened injury means a statement, overt act, condition or status that represents a substantial risk of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or mental injury. Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it. Minnesota law says chief district public defenders "shall devote full time to the performance of duties and shall not engage in the general practice of law.". We work to improve the health of all county residents by addressing the social and environmental factors that impact their health and offering programs and services that help them to be healthy. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. "Mr. Benson should, rightfully, be proud of the work he has accomplished on behalf of the indigent accused," Ward wrote. In an email, Ward noted that Benson had accomplished a great deal in his short time as Chief Public Defender in Hennepin County/4th Judicial District, including increased the diversity of our staff, and increased diversity in our management ranks., Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555, This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Hennepin County Public Health's 2019 annual report, Hennepin County Public Health's 2018 annual bulletin (PDF), Hennepin County Public Health's 2017 annual bulletin (PDF), Hennepin County Public Health's 2016-2020 community health assessment (PDF). [1] She is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). She won a $300,000 settlement for what she said was to avoid a looming discrimination lawsuit over her advocating for pay parity. If a child is not safe in their home, it may be necessary to place the child outside of the home. Follow Minnesota Reformer on Facebook and Twitter. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Family Assessment cases do not result in a maltreatment determination. As the county's chief public defender, Benson has one client. I'm very deliberate in making sure those things are separate.". We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Attorney General Keith Ellison on Thursday called for the Minnesota Board of Public Defense to examine the process that led to the suspension of Hennepin County's chief public defender, saying . According to court documents, on July 10, 2020, and on . Allegation sheriff was drunk at work unsubstantiated, according to investigation. An August primary cut a crowded field down to two candidates: Mary Moriarty, the county's former chief public defender who regularly clashed with Freeman during her tenure, and Martha Holton Dimick, a judge who used to work for Freeman's predecessor, Senator Amy Klobuchar. Our office offers information on a host of topics from crime prevention and victim witness assistance to tax information. Public Health employs people with diverse skills and backgrounds. Ward told the Star Tribune he was not aware of the investigation when Benson was hired. Max Nesterak is the deputy editor of the Reformer and reports on labor and housing. Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Although you may find this helpful, we ask that if you are in doubt, make a child protection report and let the experts make the final determination. Another private client faces a first-degree drug charge in Ramsey County in connection with an alleged incident in May 2021, but the man was only just charged this March. The St. Louis County case involves a client cited for violating a protective order in October 2021. Snow will begin Wednesday night and last through Thursday morning, the National Weather Service said. Board member Elizer Darris, a business owner who was incarcerated as a juvenile and now works as an. Contact your probation officer poconnect@hennepin.us Close all Service changes The Star Tribune's Rochelle Olson reports: "Chief Hennepin County Public Defender Mary Moriarty was suspended indefinitely Monday pending an investigation. Despite holding a full-time government job for 18 months, Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson has continued to represent private clients, a practice that may be illegal. Benson previously faced criticism for continuing to do work for private clients while overseeing the public defenders office in Hennepin County. by Hibah Ansari July 27, 2022. "I don't use any PD (public defender) resources. Multidisciplinary teams review reports of child maltreatment in order to determine whether or not the report meets the criteria for an investigation or assessment. Health and medical It's one of the single most effective solutions to address climate change. If a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services. A Hubbard Broadcasting Company. Jill Hermanutz I'm very excited to serve the citizens of Hennepin County. Download a brief overview of Hennepin County Public Health programs and initiatives (PDF). With the race . Moriarty, who spent 31 years in the Hennepin County Public Defender office, the last six as chief public defender, retired in 2021. Hennepin County Public Defender Hennepin Juvenile Court Catherine Johnson, department director doccr@hennepin.us Juvenile Justice Center Phone: 612-348-3700 Fax: 612-348-6598 Suite #120 590 Park Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55415 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mary Moriarty was suspended as chief public defender in 2019 after five years on the job, then the state board declined to reappoint her. "It's definitely a violation of statute for him to take new cases and it might be for him to keep old cases, but they've turned a blind eye to it," he said. Ward also did not return a request for comment. Benson said he's dedicated to his work as chief public defender. The public defender's office represents criminal defendants who cannot afford attorneys. 'Lake Chipotle' floods south Minneapolis parking lot early this year, Instructor who showed Prophet Muhammad images sues; Hamline says response 'flawed', Chauvin's attorney makes case for new trial to Minn. Court of Appeals, Mall of America shooting death suspect and his mother arrested. Bill Ward, the state's chief public defender, told Moriarty that the boards actions against her had nothing to do racial justice issues. 2023 County Office. Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson turned in his letter of resignation on Monday as he faces a federal investigation for tax evasion. We recognize racism as a public health crisis. Former public defender Mary Moriarty was elected Hennepin County attorney Tuesday night. by Jared Goyette, Minnesota Reformer September 30, 2020. . Benson took the helm of the public defenders office in Hennepin County less than two years ago, where he oversaw about 120 attorneys and 70 support staff. Ward said it is a private, personal decision for Mr. Benson and that he is sad to see him resign.. In an email to the Star Tribune, Benson confirmed that he provided a notice of resignation and forwarded it to Ward on Monday afternoon. was absent and stated her support for Moriarty. Her leave is in place "pending a review of issues that have been . Mike Freeman Public Health hosts students who are enrolled in an academic program which requires an internship. Kolstad said the full-time lawyers in the public defender's office are prohibited by law from working with private clients so there's a sense of a "what's good for me is not good for thee.". Benson not respond to a request for comment. . Failure by a mandated reporter to report suspected abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor-level crime. Hennepin County Public Defender salary trends based on salaries posted anonymously by Hennepin County Public Defender employees. Pd ( Public Defender fulfills the Constitutional guarantee of the year 'm very deliberate in sure. 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