Members of the Minnesota judicial branch - from the chief judge to law clerks - traded in their courtroom attire for grilling aprons Friday in St. Paul.
Dozens of hamburgers cook up nice on a grill outside the Dorothy Day Center. This is the 22nd annual Memorial Weekend Picnic, and Appeals Court judge Diane Bratvold helps coordinate the effort.
"Often people will look at me and they'll say, 'well, who are you?' And I'll say I'm a judge in the court," says Bratvold. "You're a judge! I mean it is like they expect us to look a little different and we're just ordinary people, right? Just like them. So this helps make a connection.
Judge Bratvold says for many attending the picnic, appearing before a judge is one of the worst days of their lives. This event turns that around, making it one of their best days.
Even the State Supreme Court got into the event, including Chief Justice Natalie Hudson who says some people asked her if she’s really a judge.
"It's one of the highlights of the year for me and I think it is for all of the judges and staff that participate," says Chief Justice Hudson. "That's part of the point, is to humanize us, to say yes we're here to serve you. We're here to serve you in many ways, not just today but the courts belong to the people of Minnesota. So it's good for the community to see us in another context than just on the bench, and so it's a wonderful opportunity."
The picnic was founded by long time Appeals Court Judge Jim Randall, who died last August.
WCCO's Al Schoch reporting from St. Paul where we cannot confirm or deny how many burgers were eaten.