Arraignments are held in the morning and pre- trial hearings are held in the afternoon. Third Precinct residents are encouraged to attend. The Third Precinct is composed of 23 neighborhoods in a 17.5 square mile area. More than 100,000 people live in these neighborhoods. The Precinct is racially, ethnically and socio-economically diverse.
Public participation is a vital element of community prosecution.
The County Attorney's Office wants community members to have the opportunity to be part of the solution in addressing livability crimes and enhancing the quality of life in their neighborhoods. A Third Precinct Community Council has been established to serve as the official voice of the community on local crime-fighting efforts. The Council includes representatives from neighborhoods, businesses, non-profits and religious organizations. In 2000, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office received an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for the Community Prosecution Project in the Third Precinct. The national award honors innovative programs which improve the effectiveness of county government.