---
title: "Paula D. Vraa | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paula-d-vraa-judge-first-judicial-district-mn"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-03"
---

# Paula D. Vraa

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

- Past Employment: Appellate law clerk, the Honorable Harriet Lansing and the Honorable Jack Davies, Minnesota Court of Appeals
- Past Employment: Partner, Rider Bennett, LLP
- Past Employment: Partner, Larson King, LLP
- Past Employment: Adjunct professor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law and University of St. Thomas School of Law

### Education

- William Mitchell College of Law — J.D. (1991)
- B.A. in History from the University of Minnesota (1988)
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- Elected in 2018 and 2024.
- Appointed by former Governor Mark Dayton on September 11, 2017 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon.
- Past Employment: Attorney, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak, and Pikala, P.A.
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed Sept.
- Current term expires Jan.
- Judge Vraa presides over the First Judicial District Court of Minnesota, which covers Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley counties.

## 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/paula-d.-vraa)
- [Official roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/paula-d.-vraa)
- [Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/paula-d.-vraa)
- [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 Paula D. Vraa](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/01-district/paula-d.-vraa)

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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.