Minnesota Court Unveils Expedited 'Surge' Docket for ICE Agent's Shooting Case
The same accelerated processing pioneered for immigrant deportation hearings now speeds a federal officer's day in court, folding table and queue number included.
Court officials confirmed Wednesday that Christian Castro's case would be processed through the newly created Rapid Adjudication Lane, a docket modeled directly on the expedited hearings used during immigration surges, only this time with a federal badge on the other side of the folding table.
A laminated queue number was reportedly issued to Castro upon arrival, the same system previously reserved for immigrants awaiting rapid removal hearings, though clerks noted his number was called noticeably faster than most.
"We believe in equal access to speed," said a courthouse spokesperson who declined to give a name, before hurrying off to process three more cases using a stopwatch and a folding chair.
The lane's supporters say it merely applies existing efficiency standards evenly, while critics note that a system built to move people through quickly was not obviously designed with the person accused of the shooting in mind.
Court officials say the docket will remain in place indefinitely, or until someone points out that a table and a queue number were never actually due process to begin with.