Stephen A. Baker

Born: July 18, 1957, Minneapolis

Education:

• B.A. Univeristy of St. Thomas, cum laude, 1979
• California Western University School of Law, J.D. 1982

• Grannis & Hauge, P.A. Present, Prosecuting Attorney
• Hoff, Barry & Kuderer, P.A. Prosecuting Attorney
• Florida State Attorney General's Office, 1988-1995, Senior Attorney
• State Attorney's Office, 11th Judicial Circuit, Brevard County, Florida, 1987-1988
• 10th Judicial Circuit Public Defender, Orange County, Florida, 1987

Bar admission:

• Minnesota Bar, 1982
• Florida bar, 1983
• U.S. District Court, Minnesota, 1984
• U.S. Dsitrict Court, Middle District of Florida, 1985
• U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1988
• U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1984

• Law Day Lecturer
• Misdemeanor Defense Panel, Hennepin County Bar Association
• Hennepin County Volunteer Lawyers Network
• Dakota County Family Law Self-Help Center
• Volunteer Attorney, Dakota County Legal Aid

• State Battered Women’s Advisory Council
• State Violence Against Women’s Act Advisory Committee
• Minnesota Criminal Justice System DWI Task Force
• Minnesota State DWI Legislative Advisory Committee, U of M Law School Better Business Bureau Arbitrator Hennepin County Human Resources Board Member Lynnhurst Neighborhood Association Board Member Bethune Elementary School reading program Mentor, University of St. Thomas Law School

Candidacy Questions:

1. Why do you want to be a judge?
I have pursued a career in public service as a prosecutor for the past 18 years. My experience has led me to practice in both state and federal trial and appellate courts. Throughout the course of my endeavors, I have succeeded in helping many individuals and the public seek justice through the court system. Given the breadth and depth of my experience, which spans well beyond criminal law alone, I am ready to apply the knowledge I have gained and continue to better serve my community as a Hennepin County judge.

2. Why should voters select you rather than your opponent in the upcoming election?
As an attorney with extensive practice before both trial and appellate courts at the state and federal level, the nature and extent of my experience makes me the best candidate in this race. Given my work as a prosecutor at all levels within our judicial system, I am uniquely qualified to tackle the day-to-day case load faced by a judge in Hennepin County. Moreover, my work as a volunteer family law attorney and knowledge regarding other civil matters that commonly come before the bench demonstrates the strength of the experience and knowledge that I can bring to the bench.

3. What experience have you had in dealing with the court on which you wish to sit?
I began my career as an intern and law clerk in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and in Hennepin County District Court as a judicial law clerk. Currently, I am a suburban Hennepin County Prosecutor and am a member of the Hennepin County Suburban Prosecutor’s Association. I have been prosecuting in Hennepin County since 1996, have prosecuted well over a thousand cases and have practiced before the court on numerous civil and criminal defense matters. Additionally, I have served Hennepin County as a volunteer lawyer in family court and served on the Hennepin County Misdemeanor Defense Panel.

4. What are the major issues facing the court on which you wish to serve? How can these realistically be addressed?
Budget constraint is the major issue facing the court and the justice system as a whole. Judges must work harder and longer to meet the demands of their case loads. Legislation giving certain traffic and minor crime offenders the option of paying a fine in lieu of other consequences, and empowering judges with the ability to swiftly end frivolous litigation would further reduce the burden on the courts. Additionally, public accountability and public safety are issues that must be address by better use of judicial discretion when crafting criminal sentences that will protect the community.

5. Do you believe it is good policy to discuss disputed legal and political issues during a judicial campaign? If so, what issues do you plan to discuss and why. If not, why shouldn't such issues be discussed?
Perhaps of greatest concern to the public during a judicial election is the lack of information available to voters. Many voters articulate that they lack the information they need to cast a vote in a judicial race. I intend to highlight how difficult it is for judicial candidates to inform the public about their views and what we can do to bridge this gap. Moreover, the electorate needs to know there is a candidate with the ability to decide cases fairly and according to the law, while taking into account the safety and well being of the public and litigants.

6. What else, if anything, would you like the voters to know about your candidacy that you have not discussed so far?
Under current law, a candidate for judicial office in this state can receive an unlimited amount of money from any one individual contributor. If we, as lawyers are trying to ensure that judicial races are conducted fairly and with the avowed purpose of demonstrating to the public that our election ethics are for the good of the people, how can we justify a rule that makes us seem like the wealthy elite in the eyes of the world? Running for a seat on the bench should not be something done by those that can raise and spend the most money.