HENNEPIN COUNTY: ATTORNEY:

An Inventory of Its Michael O. Freeman Files at the Minnesota Historical Society

Government Records

OVERVIEW


	Creator:	Hennepin County (Minn.). County Attorney.
	Title:	Michael O. Freeman Files.
	Dates:	1984-1998 (bulk 1991-1997).
	Language:	Materials in English.
	Abstract:	Subject files (1984-1988), videocassettes (1992-1994), and speeches (1991-1997) of Michael O. Freeman, Hennepin County Attorney from 1991 through 1998. There are also a few files documenting his 1983-1990 Minnesota Senate term.
	Quantity:	3.0 cubic feet (3 boxes).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

General topics covered include cameras in the courtroom, curfew and truancy, admissibility of DNA evidence in court, gangs, the grand jury selection process, juvenile justice reform and juvenile protection, victims rights, and witness protection. There are also files and videotapes dealing with the Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Service Center, the Drop Your Guns Amnesty Program and Gunplay, Freeman's 1989-1990 campaign for county attorney and subsequent use of cable television while in office, the functions and organization of the county attorney's office, Hennepin County police training to deal with disabled citizens, Freeman's 1993 gubernatorial campaign, and his association with Ramsey County Attorney Tom Foley. Others featured on the videotapes include Minneapolis City Council President Sharon Sayles Belton, Minneapolis Police Chief John Laux, WCCO-TV reporters Dave Moore and Caroline Lowe, playwright Syl Jones, and Tom Foley.

Return to top

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Hennepin County (Minn.). County Attorney. Michael O. Freeman Files. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 2000-23

Processing Information:

Processed by: Jennifer Johnson, October 1999

Catalog ID number: 990017368900104294

Return to top

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

SUBJECT FILES

Location

Box

118.E.18.8F

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), 1997.

Bias crimes, undated.

Bloomington Election Law, 1996-1997.

Cable television, 1991-1996.

Information on Freeman’s use of the television medium as Hennepin County Attorney.

Cameras in the courtroom, 1989-1995.

Campaign finance reform, 1993.

Child support, 1994-1995.

Conflict Guidelines, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, 1995.

Crime Reports (adult), 1993-1997.

Includes the 1994 and 1996 Hennepin Office of Planning and Development’s Hennepin County Crime Report.

Crime Reports (juvenile), 1993-1995.

Includes Juvenile Crime Times: Analysis of the Amount and Types of Juvenile Offenses During Curfew and Truancy Violation Hours in Hennepin County, Hennepin Office of Planning and Development, June 1995.

Curfew and truancy, 1993-1998. 2 folders.

Includes information on the creation of a Metropolitan Juvenile Curfew Ordinance and the Minneapolis Curfew Center, and Curfew/Truancy Group Meeting minutes.

Delinquents Under 10, 1995-1996.

Domestic Abuse Service Center (DASC), 1994-1996.

Includes an undated report to the Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation from the Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Service Center.

DNA, 1991-1994.

Concerns a constitutional amendment to allow the admissibility of DNA evidence in court.

Drop Your Guns/Gunplay, 1991-1998. 8 folders.

Documents the Drop Your Guns Amnesty Program which allowed metropolitan citizens to drop their guns off at Minneapolis fire stations, with no questions asked and receive $50 for their weapon. Ultimately, 6109 guns were turned in. Includes correspondence on the success of the program and financial contributors. Also contains information on Drop Your Guns II, also known as Gun Play, which involved a play sponsored by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and written by Syl Jones. The play addressed issues of violence and youth, and the danger of guns and was performed at local schools, theaters, and juvenile detention centers. Includes the grant application, correspondence, and information on the public’s reception of the project.

Drug Forfeiture, 1987-1994.

Information on a bill to change the Drug Forfeiture Law. It was begun during Freeman’s term as Minnesota State Senator.

Freeman Campaign, 1989-1990. 3 folders.

Freeman’s campaign for Hennepin County Attorney, including correspondence, finance committee correspondence and radio advertisements.

Gangs, 1993-1997.

Grand Jury, 1989-1997.

Grand Jury selection process and composition reform materials, including the Hennepin County Attorney’s Task Force on Racial Composition of the Grand Jury Final Report, April 1992, and a Manual for Grand Jury Presentation, Minnesota County Attorney’s Association, Gail Baez and Lee W. Barry, Assistant Hennepin County Attorneys, December 1996.

Health care, 1995.

Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, 1990-1996. 2 folders.

Details the function and organization.

Location

Box

118.E.18.9B

Homicide Packet, undated.

To aid survivors and victims.

Indian Child Welfare Act Initiative (ICWA), 1996.

Jail Study, 1990-1996. 2 folders.

Juvenile Diversion, 1994-1997.

Includes Juvenile Diversion Program, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Operation de Novo Operations Manual, Fourth Edition 1996.

Juvenile Justice (correspondence), 1985-1986.

Juvenile Justice Reform, 1992-1996.

Includes When Kids and Systems Collide: A Systemic Perspective on Learning Readiness Issues in Hennepin County, The Hennepin County Office of Planning and Development, April 1992.

Juvenile Justice (Streamlining), 1996.

Juvenile Justice (Task Force and Truancy), 1984-1985.

Juvenile Protection (Freeman testimony), 1997.

Juvenile Protection (Office issues/concerns), 1994-1997.

Juvenile Protection (Specific cases), 1992-1997.

Juvenile Reference Study Results, 1994.

Mall of America tax dispute (MOA), 1998.

Mall (Southdale) tax dispute, 1995.

Media Policy, 1991-1996.

Minneapolis murders, 1993-1996.

No Cost Solutions, 1997.

No cost changes to the criminal justice system.

Nuisance Law, 1996.

Outside Counsel, 1993.

Policy on retaining outside legal counsel.

Phoenix Sculpture, 1996-1997.

Sculpture made from the guns donated and melted during the Drop Your Guns campaign.

Police and People with Disabilities, 1996-1997.

Includes Hennepin County Police and People with Disabilities Training Videotape and Facilitator’s Guide used in the 1996 Community Partnership Program.

Pre-trial Program, undated.

Public Safety Facility, 1990.

Selection of a new facility in Minneapolis.

Racial Bias Task Force, 1993.

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 1989-1996.

Sentencing Guidelines, 1990.

Students Stop Guns, 1995-1996.

Summary of Michael O. Freeman as Hennepin County Attorney, 1995.

TEAM Project, 1997.

Regarding the Child’s Justice Act.

Truancy, 1993-1997.

Includes Chronic School Absenteeism: A Growing Problem, Findings and Recommendations from the Truancy Work Committee of Hennepin County, August, 1993; Hennepin County’s Hope for Kids Project, Report for the 1996-97 School Year; Implementation Plan for Truancy Service in Hennepin County; Report from the Truancy Services Implementation Committee, January 1995; and Truancy Service Center Feasibility Analysis, Report from the Truancy Center Feasibility Study Working Committee, March 1994.

Truancy Subcommittee, 1995-1997.

Victims rights, 1995-1997.

Witness protection, 1994-1995.

Return to top

VIDEOCASSETTES

Location

Box

118.E.18.9B

Drop Your Guns Press Conference, January 30, 1992. 1 videocassette (39:00): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: None.

Tape label: Drop Your Guns Press Conference, 1-30-92. Copy.

Press conference introducing the Drop Your Guns Program. Speakers included Hennepin County Attorney Freeman, Minneapolis City Council President Sharon Sayles Belton, Minneapolis Police Chief John Laux, Beverly Johnson, mother of a victim of gun violence, and others. The television and radio public service announcements for the program are also highlighted. Filmed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Moore on Sunday, February 2 and 9, 1992. 1 videocassette (48:13): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: Moore on Sunday 2-2-92 2-9-92.

Tape label: Moore on Sunday 2-2-92 and 2-9-92 (on spine), Moore on Sunday Section 2 2-2-92 (on top).

Broadcast February 2 and 9, 1992 on WCCO-TV’s Moore on Sunday show. On February 2, Dave Moore and news investigator Caroline Lowe present the Drop Your Guns program during the first 8:27 minutes. Also mentioned in the news story is opposition to the program by some Minneapolis police officers. On February 9, 3:32 minutes into the program, Dave Moore presents a news brief on the program, specifically mentioning two recent roadblocks. The first being the success of the program; it had run out of money after approximately its first week. The second being a restraining order brought against the program by Attorney Randall Tigue, which would prevent the program from continuing until it included a process for checking serial numbers, thereby allowing stolen guns to be returned to their owners. Producer: Beth Pearlman; Director: Roger Nelson; Editor: Dave Moore.

"Gun Play" Media Coverage, March 1993. 1 videocassette (44:30): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: None.

Tape label: “Gun Play” Media Coverage (44:43) 3/93 (spine), “Gun Play” Media Coverage KTCA, KMSP, KARE, KSTP, WCCO (44:43) 3/93 (top).

KTCA-TV, KMSP-TV, KARE-TV, KSTP-TV, WCCO-TV news stories on Gun Play, clips from the play, and interviews with students, Hennepin County Attorney Michael O. Freeman, Playwright Syl Jones, actors Shane Barach, Kevin Linnell, and Omar Shakir, Principal Craig Vana, Juvenile Court Referee Tanya Bransford, Juvenile Court Referee Laura Yost, and students Felicia Henze and Lilian Speltz. Includes KSTP, “Teens and Violence,” Producer-Writer: Gail Brown; Photographers: Phil Thiesse and Jim O’Connell.

Gun Play, March 16, 1993. 1 videocassette (18:30): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: None.

Tape label: Gunplay – 1st 5 min. Interviews w/students and Syl Jones, 3/16/93.

Freeman introduces the play, performed by the Mixed Blood Theater Company, and after the play invites students to turn in their guns at the principal’s office, no questions asked. Three students and Syl Jones, playwright, are interviewed. Filmed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on March 16, 1993 at Richfield High School, Richfield, Minnesota. Actors: Shane Barach, Kevin Linnell, and Omar Shakir.

One Hour Question and Answer Tape, September 22, 1993. 1 videocassette (57:00): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: None.

Tape label: MOF 1 hour Q. & A. Tape 9/22/93.

Question/answer session on a range of issues with Freeman and his staff in preparation for his gubernatorial campaign.

You Too Can Impact Domestic Violence, 1994. 1 videocassette (18:00): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: None.

Tape label: You Too Can Impact Domestic Violence 16:00.

This promotional video highlights the services of the Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Service Center. Interviewed on the video are Director of the Domestic Abuse Service Center Lolita Ulloa, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Patty Moses, Hennepin County Attorney Michael O. Freeman, Chief Judge of the Hennepin County District Court Kevin Burke, Harriet Tubman Center Advocate Kathy Brenan, District Court Clerk Roxanne Johnson, Minneapolis Police Department Sergeant Deb Rollins, Assistant City Attorney Julie Helling, and domestic abuse survivors Lori, Dan, Tawanna and Diane.

Law in Action, March 1994. 1 videocassette (29:00): sound, color, ½ in. VHS format.

Case label: "Law in Action" Year 5 Tape No. 12 Mike Freeman, Tom Foley Henn. & Ramsey Co. Att’ys. With a handwritten note from Karen Wandmacher, dated March 12, 1994, stating the tape would be shown on Metro Cable Network (Channel 6), Friday, March 25, 1994 at 6:30 p.m.

Tape label: “Law in Action” Year 5 Tape No. 12 Mike Freeman, Tom Foley Henn. & Ramsey Co. Att’ys.

Hennepin County Attorney Freeman and Ramsey County Attorney Tom Foley are interviewed on the functions, projects and issues concerning their respective offices. Interviewers: [Doris Siminet (?)] and [John Kineanan (?)]; Executive Producer: Karen Wandmacher; Director/Editor: Greg Pikarski.

Return to top

SPEECHES, 1991-1997

Indexes for each year are located in the folders.

Location

Box

118.E.18.10F

1991. 2 folders.

1992.

1993. 3 folders.

1994.

1995. 6 folders.

1996. 3 folders.

1997. 2 folders.

Miscellaneous speech file.

Return to top

CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:: Admissible evidence -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Cable television in politics -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; County attorneys -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Curfews -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; DNA.; Gangs -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Governors -- Minnesota -- Elections.; Grand jury -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Gun control -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Jury selection -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Police services for the developmentally disabled -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Police services for the mentally ill -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Political campaigns -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; School attendance -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Television broadcasting of court proceedings -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Victims of crimes -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Witnesses -- Protection -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County.; Youth and violence -- Minnesota -- Drama.

Persons:: Foley, Tom.; Freeman, Michael O., 1948-.; Jones, Syl, 1951- -- Gunplay.; Laux, John.; Lowe, Caroline.; Moore, Dave, 1924-1998.; Sayles Belton, Sharon, 1951-

Organizations:: Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Service Center (Minn.).; Minnesota. Legislature. Senate; Ramsey County (Minn.). County Attorney.

Document Types:: Video recordings.; Videotapes.

Return to top

HENNEPIN COUNTY: ATTORNEY:

OVERVIEW

SCOPE AND CONTENTS

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

SUBJECT FILES

VIDEOCASSETTES

SPEECHES, 1991-1997

CATALOG HEADINGS