--- title: "Rodney C. Hanson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rodney-c-hanson-chief-judge-eighth-judicial-district-mn" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-03" --- # Rodney C. Hanson Minnesota Eighth Judicial District Court · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Minnesota Eighth 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 - The Chief Judge of Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District, serving since his 2022 re‐election, with a career that spans over 28 years in private practice and multiple judicial roles - In 2026, elected Chief Judge by peers, with duties including representing the district on judicial councils, administrative oversight, and assigning other judges - Legal career: Partner at Anderson, Larson, Hanson & Saunders PLLP in Willmar, MN (1985–2013) ### Education ### Additional information - Recent leadership: Elected Chief Judge in 2026, succeeding Stephanie Beckman; had held the role of Assistant Chief Judge for five years - Elected in 2016 and 2022. - 6, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton. - Employment: Local practice, Willmar, 1985-2013 - Employment: Partner - Anderson, Larson, Hanson & Saunders P.L.L.P. - Employment: Qualified neutral and arbitrator, American Arbitration Association - Appointed/Elected: Appointed Nov. - Current term expires Jan. - Bar memberships: Minnesota State Bar Association, Kandiyohi County Bar Association, Minnesota Association for Justice, 12th District Bar Association (past president) ## 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/08-district/rodney-c.-hanson) - [Official roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/08-district/rodney-c.-hanson) - [Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/08-district/rodney-c.-hanson) - [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 Rodney C. Hanson](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/08-district/rodney-c.-hanson) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rodney-c-hanson-chief-judge-eighth-judicial-district-mn", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rodney-c-hanson-chief-judge-eighth-judicial-district-mn", "name": "Rodney C. Hanson | KnowJudges", "description": "Rodney C. Hanson, Minnesota Eighth Judicial District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-03", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rodney-c-hanson-chief-judge-eighth-judicial-district-mn#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rodney-c-hanson-chief-judge-eighth-judicial-district-mn#judge", "name": "Rodney C. 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Hanson", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rodney-c-hanson-chief-judge-eighth-judicial-district-mn" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.