---
title: "Michael D. Fritz | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-d-fritz-chief-judge-seventh-judicial-district-mn"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-03"
---

# Michael D. Fritz

Minnesota Seventh Judicial District Court · Chief Judge

## Profile

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

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Employment: Becker County Attorney 2007-2014
- Employment: Assistant Becker County Attorney 1993-2007
- Chief Judge of the 7th Judicial District Court of Minnesota, which covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena counties

### Education

- J.D. — University of North Dakota School of Law 1990-1993 — 1993
- University of Oslo School of Law — 1991
- B.S. — St. John’s University 1984-1988 — 1988

### Additional information

- He was appointed by former Governor Mark Dayton on February 19, 2014 to fill a vacancy, later elected in 2016 and re‐elected in 2022
- Employment: Partner
- Hummel, Sinclair, Evans, Hunt, Heisler and Fritz, P.A.
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed Feb.
- Current term expires Jan.
- He has also been recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star – Criminal Prosecution

## 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/07-district/michael-d.-fritz)
- [Official roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/07-district/michael-d.-fritz)
- [Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/07-district/michael-d.-fritz)
- [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)
- [Chief Judge Michael D. Fritz](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/07-district/michael-d.-fritz)

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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.