Saint Paul, MN - The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending four candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the current vacancies occurring in Minnesota's First Judicial District. These vacancies were created upon the appointment of the Honorable Carol A. Hooten to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the retirement of the Honorable William E. Macklin earlier this year. These district court judgeships will be chambered at Shakopee in Scott County in the First Judicial District.

Colleen Goggins King-Ms. King works as a partner with Wornson, Goggins, Zard, Neisen, Morris and King, P.C. where she maintains a general practice that includes family law, criminal defense, estate planning, probate, conservator/guardianship matters and civil litigation. She previously served as a part-time public defender for Scott, Dakota and McLeod Counties and was an attorney with McDonough, Wagner and Ho, L.L.P. Ms. King is a founding board member of the New Prague Area Education Foundation and is a volunteer teacher for St. Wenceslaus Church's Children's Liturgy.

Ann M. Offermann: Ms. Offermann is an Assistant Dakota County Attorney assigned to the Adult Criminal Prosecution Division where she is responsible for representing Dakota County in all stages of felony criminal prosecutions. She is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota where she worked within the Public Safety, Labor and Health Licensing Divisions. Ms. Offermann currently serves as President of the Dakota County Bar Association and volunteers as a trained support parent with Family Voices of Minnesota.

Michael D. Wentzell: Mr. Wentzell serves as Chief Deputy Carver County Attorney where he oversees office operations in relation to directing criminal and civil legal services. He previously worked as an Assistant Carver County Attorney and as an Associate Attorney with Collins, Buckley, Sauntry and Haugh. Mr. Wentzell is a Sexual Violence Center Advocate Trainer and is a former Professional Responsibility Ethics Investigator.

Christian S. Wilton: Mr. Wilton is an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota where he prosecutes a wide variety of criminal offenses including violent crimes, narcotics trafficking, economic crimes and child exploitation. He previously served as an Assistant Ramsey County Attorney where he handled prosecution of gang, civil commitment, child abuse and murder cases. Mr. Wilton is a lead grader of bar exams for the State of Minnesota's Board of Law Examiners.

The First Judicial District consists of Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, LeSueur, McLeod, Scott and Sibley Counties.

An announcement of the appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.