Minneapolis’ New Gun Diversion Program - CLE

In this course you will learn how Minneapolis has been reducing gun cases with an intensive diversion program. This program is so incredible, the DOJ is having Mary Ellen present on it in DC this fall. 

• Who is eligible for the program?
• What does the program entail?
• What are the statistics of its success? 
• Can this program be expanded?

Put on by Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Minnesota State Bar Association- criminal law section.

Course will be conducted via Zoom, October 19, 12 PM to 1 PM; 

 Click on Register Now! button above to join Zoom meeting, or use the following Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82548838733?pwd=MytLL0ZFOXZ1bHh2L3hicSt6TW1RUT09

Presenter Mary Ellen Heng:

Mary Ellen Heng received her Juris Doctorate from the Indiana School of Law in 1995.  After working for a brief period at West Publishing as a Legal Editor, Ms. Heng joined the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office in July 1997 as a prosecuting attorney in the criminal division.  In this role, she was responsible for the prosecution of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses taking place in the City of Minneapolis.  In May 2009, Ms. Heng was promoted to a Supervising Attorney position, where she supervised a team that handled chronic offenders and included community attorneys assigned to do public safety and community engagement work in the five Minneapolis police precincts.  In June 2012, she was appointed to the position of Deputy City Attorney of the Criminal Division, which she still holds today.

As the Criminal Deputy, Ms. Heng has led the office in offering a variety of diversion programs, focusing on livability offenses, shoplifting, obstruct legal process, driving without a license and the Pathways to New Beginnings Program for first time gun offenders.  Ms. Heng also participated in the Adult Detention Initiative, where she helped develop the sign and release and book and release protocol and warrants that are now used county wide.  Ms. Heng continues to be involved in the many criminal justice reforms being discussed in Hennepin County for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor level offenses.