Michael D. Wentzell at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael D. Wentzell
Biography
Professional career
- District Court Judge for Minnesota’s First Judicial District, serving since 2013 and currently up for re‐election in 2026
- Employment: Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, P.L.L.P., Associate Attorney
- Employment: Carver County Attorney’s Office, Chief Deputy County Attorney
- Employment: Carver County Attorney’s Office, Assistant County Attorney
- Position: Judge, First Judicial District Court of Minnesota (includes Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Scott, and Sibley counties)
- He also served as an associate attorney at Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School — J.D.
- Concordia College — B.A.
Additional information
- Listed as the sole candidate for Judge, Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court, Seat 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot in Dakota County, Minnesota.
- 31, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton.Elected in 2014 and 2020.
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed Jan.
- Current term expires Jan.
- Before joining the bench, Wentzell served in the Carver County Attorney’s Office as an Assistant County Attorney and later Chief Deputy County Attorney, specializing in prosecuting child sexual abuse cases.
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 First 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 First 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 ↗