Kristine Weeks has been appointed as a District Court judge by Gov. Tim Walz in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District.

Weeks will be replacing the Honorable Kurt D. Johnson and will be chambered in Mankato in Blue Earth County.

“I am proud to appoint Ms. Weeks to the Fifth Judicial District,” Walz said. “For over a decade, she has been a leader and advocate for Minnesotans as a public defender. Her dedication to fairness and justice will serve her well on the bench.”

Paul Gunderson, assistant county attorney for Brown County, was one of three finalists to fill the 5th Judicial District vacancy.

The Fifth Judicial District consists of 15 counties in southwest Minnesota: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan.

Weeks is an assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District, where she represents indigent clients in misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, felony, and probation violation proceedings. She also represents clients in child protection and delinquency matters.

“Ms. Weeks will be a great addition to the Blue Earth County bench,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “She is a remarkable public servant, and I am confident that she will treat everyone who walks into her courtroom with the dignity and respect they deserve.”