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title: "Cynthia L. McCollum | KnowJudges"
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# Cynthia L. McCollum

Minnesota First Judicial District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Minnesota First Judicial District Court
- State: Minnesota
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge Cynthia L. McCollum is a sitting judge of Minnesota’s First Judicial District, appointed in 2014, re‐elected in 2016 and 2022, and serving until January 2029
- Past Employment: Assistant Hennepin County Public Defender, Oct
- Past Employment: Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office
- Position: Judge, First Judicial District Court of Minnesota (includes Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Scott, and Sibley counties)

### Education

- William Mitchell School of Law — J.D.
- University of Minnesota — M.A.

### Additional information

- Past Employment: Senior Attorney, 1996-2014
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton on Oct.
- Current term expires Jan.
- Former Big Ten Champion and All‐American swimmer in the 200 freestyle relay at the University of Minnesota.
- She has over 28 years as a public defender, including more than 100 jury trials and 45 homicide cases.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing recording

Scope: statewide

Minnesota Judicial Branch remote-hearing guidance says recording or broadcasting a remote proceeding is not authorized except as provided by court rules.

Evidence excerpt: No recording or broadcasting of any remote proceeding is authorized other than as provided by court rules.

[Remote Hearing Information](https://mncourts.gov/remote-hearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### camera audio recording devices

Scope: statewide

Minnesota court guidance cites Rule 4 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and says pictures or voice recordings are not allowed except the official court record.

Evidence excerpt: According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordings

[Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/going-to-court/security-weapons-screening)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/cynthia-l.-mccollum)
- [Official roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/cynthia-l.-mccollum)
- [Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/cynthia-l.-mccollum)
- [Remote Hearing Information](https://mncourts.gov/remote-hearings)
- [Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/going-to-court/security-weapons-screening)
- [Judge Cynthia L. McCollum](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/cynthia-l.-mccollum)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Remote Hearing Information](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5920703a4c3a43b48164d80e) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://mncourts.gov/remote-hearings). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c45898f557aa190822c0bdd8) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/going-to-court/security-weapons-screening). Collected 2026-07-26.