Mark J. Kappelhoff at a glance
- Current role
- Assistant Chief Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Mark J. Kappelhoff
Assistant Chief Judge · Minnesota Fourth Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Mark J. Kappelhoff is the Assistant Chief Judge of the Minnesota Fourth Judicial District, serving Hennepin County since 2016, with a career spanning federal prosecution, public defense, academia, and judicial leadership
- Past Employment: Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
- Past Employment: Assistant Public Defender, Maryland Office of the Public Defender
- Past Employment: Special Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota
- Past Employment: Chief, Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
- Past Employment: Special Counsel, Civil Rights Division, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
- Position: Assistant Chief Judge, Fourth Judicial District, Hennepin County District Court
- Federal Prosecutor: Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice — Chief, Criminal Section
- Deputy Assistant Attorney General; oversaw human trafficking, hate crime, and law enforcement misconduct cases
- Volunteer mock trial judge, Minnesota State High School Mock Trial Competition
- Past Employment: Associate Clinical Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School
- Judge Kappelhoff is recognized for his work in criminal justice reform, human trafficking prosecution, and community engagement, with a long record of leadership in both state and federal legal systems
- Academia: Associate Clinical Professor, University of Minnesota Law School
- Director of the Criminal Justice Clinic; co‐created the Minnesota Law Public Interest Residency Program; developed the first Human Trafficking course at the school
Education
- St. John’s University — B.S.
- American University — J.D.
Additional information
- Elected in 2018 and 2024.Current term expires 2030.
- Presiding Judge, Juvenile Division (2021–2023)
- Tri‐Chair, Youth Justice Council (2020–2023)
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed July 1, 2016, by Governor Mark Dayton.
- Member, Statewide Committee on Equality and Justice
- Hennepin County District Court Equal Justice Committee
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 Fourth 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 Fourth 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 ↗