Jana M. Austad at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jana M. Austad
Chief Judge · Minnesota Ninth Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Chief Judge Jana M. Austad is the presiding judge for Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District, serving in Cass County and appointed by former Governor Mark Dayton on June 14, 2013
- Before joining the bench, Austad was Managing Attorney for the Brainerd Regional Office of the Minnesota Public Defender (1997–2013) and an attorney at Kief, Fuller, Baer & Wallner in Bemidji
- Employment: Managing attorney, Brainerd Regional Office of the Minnesota Public Defender
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law — J.D.
- Augsburg College — B.A.
Additional information
- Liaison Judge for the Northwest Juvenile Training Center (2019–2024)
- Elected in 2014 and 2020.
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed June 14, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton.
- Raised in Bemidji, Minnesota, Austad completed studies at Bemidji High School in 1983 and spent her entire legal career in the 9th Judicial District.
- handling township, family, and workers’ compensation law.
- Kief, Fuller, Baer and Wallner, Ltd.
- Current term expires Jan.
- She also tried multiple criminal jury trials and participated in DNA and forensic science training for the state public defender system
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Minnesota Judicial Branch remote-hearing guidance says recording or broadcasting a remote proceeding is not authorized except as provided by court rules.
No recording or broadcasting of any remote proceeding is authorized other than as provided by court rules.Remote Hearing Information ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordingsSecurity & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Remote Hearing Information
Minnesota Ninth Judicial District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Minnesota Ninth Judicial District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 3, 2026.
Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Remote Hearing Information
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Hearing Information ↗Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗