Minnesota Judicial Center Visitor Guide
The Minnesota Judicial Center is the state appellate courthouse at 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, in Saint Paul's Capitol Complex. It houses the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and the State Law Library. When an injury case is appealed, this is where it's argued — and both the arguments and the records are public.
Free Consultation: Andrade Law offers free consultations to all prospective clients. This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.
The Building
What the Judicial Center Is
The Judicial Center is two joined structures. The granite building facing the boulevard is the original Minnesota Historical Society building — begun in 1915, dedicated May 11, 1918, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places under that name. A rear addition, completed in 1990 on the former Mechanic Arts High School site, brings the complex to 252,274 square feet. The state dedicated it as the Minnesota Judicial Center on May 11, 1995 — the same calendar day as the 1918 dedication.
The Minnesota Department of Administration manages the building; the courts are its tenants. A fourth tenant matters to injured workers — the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals, in Suite 405. It's an executive-branch agency — not part of the Judicial Branch — though its appeals are heard in this building.
On Appeal
What Happens to an Injury Case Here
Most Minnesota injury cases never see this building. Trials happen in district court — for a Saint Paul case, that's the subject of my parking and check-in guide for the Ramsey County Courthouse. When either side appeals, the case moves here: briefs, then oral argument before a three-judge Court of Appeals panel, then a written decision. A few cases go one step further, to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Oral arguments are public. Supreme Court arguments have been livestreamed since August 28, 2017, with an archive back to September 2005. Court of Appeals courtrooms seat roughly 20 observers, and remote observation through ZoomGov is available. One caution: the court's published argument calendar governs where and when arguments are held — the Supreme Court has at times sat at the nearby State Capitol instead, so confirm the location before you make the trip.
Appellate decisions are how Minnesota injury law moves. I read them as they're released and publish case notes on new Minnesota appellate decisions — a ruling argued here can change how I read an injured client's claim. Tracking that law is part of how the firm approaches cases in its home city.
Records
Case Records and the State Law Library
Appellate case records are public too. P-MACS, the appellate courts' public case-management search, shows filings, orders, and case status online. When the search isn't enough, the Minnesota State Law Library is in Room G25 — injury litigants and attorneys both use it.
Getting There
Entrance, Screening, and Parking
Use the public entrance on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — the Cedar Street doors are exit-only. Every visitor has passed through security screening since January 1, 2022, so allow a few extra minutes.
The building sits at MLK Jr. Boulevard and Cedar Street, 0.1 miles east of the Minnesota State Capitol. The METRO Robert Street Station is just east; the Centennial Ramp, across the street to the south, has public parking on its Orange Level. For the other buildings a Saint Paul injury case runs through, start with the firm's points-of-interest guides.
Common Questions
Judicial Center FAQ
Can anyone attend a Minnesota Supreme Court or Court of Appeals oral argument? +
Yes — arguments are open to the public. Supreme Court sessions are also livestreamed and archived, and the Court of Appeals offers ZoomGov observation alongside its roughly 20 courtroom seats.
How do I look up a Minnesota appellate case? +
Use P-MACS, the appellate courts' public case-management search, for filings, orders, and case status. For deeper research, the State Law Library is in Room G25 of the Judicial Center.
Which entrance do I use? +
The public entrance is on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; the Cedar Street doors are exit-only. All visitors have gone through security screening since January 1, 2022.
Are arguments always held in this building? +
Not always. The published argument calendar governs the location — the Supreme Court has at times sat at the nearby State Capitol. Check the calendar before you go.
Important Information: Andrade Law is not affiliated with the Minnesota Judicial Branch, the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals, or the Minnesota Department of Administration. Argument schedules, building access, screening procedures, and parking are set by the courts and building management and can change without notice — verify current details at mncourts.gov before you visit.
This page is general information and is not legal advice. Contacting Andrade Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after Andrade Law and the client sign a written engagement agreement. Every case depends on its own facts, and no result is guaranteed.