Minnesota Court Rules
Minnesota Court Rules
✓ current as of July 2026Full text of 675 rules across 4 sets, cross-linked with Minnesota case law.
Minn. R. Civ. App. P. — 144 rules
- Scope
- Definitions
- Suspension of Rules
- Manner of Making Appeal
- Joint Appeals; Related Appeals; Consolidated Appeals
- Appealable Judgments and Orders
- Scope of Review
- Time for Filing and Service
- Effect of Entry of Judgment and Insertion of Costs into the Judgment
- (Deleted effective January 1, 1999.)
- (Deleted effective January 1, 1999.)
- Petition for Permission to Appeal; Time
- Content of Petition; Response
- Grant of Permission - Procedure
- Respondent's Right to Obtain Review
- No Cost Bond Required
- Request to Trial Court to Require a Cost Bond
- Cases For Which A Cost Bond May Not Be Required
- Effect of Appeal on Proceedings in Trial Court
- Motion for Stay or Injunction in Trial Court; Security
- Proceedings in Supreme Court
- Authorized Relief
- Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis in the Court of Appeals
- Civil Commitment and Juvenile Proceedings
- Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis in the Supreme Court
- Suspension of Time Periods
- The Record on Appeal
- The Transcript of Proceedings; Duty of Appellant to Order; Notice to Respondent if Partial Transcript is Ordered; Duty of Reporter; Form of Transcript
- Statement of the Proceedings When No Report Was Made or When the Transcript is Unavailable
- Agreed Statement as the Record
- Correction or Modification of the Record
- Transmission of Record; Time
- Exhibits and Models
- Record for Preliminary Hearing in the Appellate Courts
- Disposition of Record after Appeal
- Treatment of Non-Public Materials and Information on Appeal
- Determining Whether Materials are Non-Public on Appeal
- Determining Whether Information is Non-Public on Appeal
- Treatment of Non-Public Materials in Addenda
- Treatment of Non-Public Materials and Information in Other Written Filings
- Treatment of Non-Public Materials and Information at Oral Argument
- Failure to Comply
- (Reserved for Future Use.)
- How Obtained
- Contents of Petition for Declaratory Judgment
- Record on Review of Petition for Declaratory Judgment; Transmission of Record; Non-Public Material
- Briefing
- Participants
- How Obtained; Time for Securing Writ
- Petition for Writ; How Secured
- Contents of the Petition and Writ; Filing and Service
- The Record on Review by Certiorari; Transmission of the Record; Non- Public Material
- Costs and Disbursements
- Dismissal Costs
- How Obtained; Time for Securing Writ
- Petition for Writ; How Secured
- Contents of the Petition and Writ; Filing and Service
- The Record on Review by Certiorari; Transmission of the Record; Non- Public Material
- Costs and Disbursements
- Dismissal Costs
- Petition in Supreme Court for Review of Decisions of the Court of Appeals
- Accelerated Review by the Supreme Court Prior to a Decision by the Court of Appeals
- (Reserved for Future Use.)
- Petition for Writ
- Submission of Petition; Response to the Petition
- Procedure Following Submission
- Filing; Form of Documents
- Review in Supreme Court
- Communication to the Court
- Procedure
- Filing Fee
- (Reserved for Future Use.)
- (Reserved for Future Use.)
- (Reserved for Future Use.)
- Filing
- Service and Filing of All Documents Required
- Manner of Service
- Proof of Service
- Computation
- Extension or Limitation of Time
- Personal Leave Continuance
- Motions
- Informal Briefs and Letter Briefs
- Formal Brief
- References in Briefs to Record
- Reproduction of Statutes, Ordinances, Rules, Regulations, Etc.
- Citation of Supplemental Authorities
- Request for Leave to Participate
- Time for Filing and Service of Brief
- Certification in Brief
- Oral Argument
- Record Not to be Printed; Appendix Not Permitted
- Addendum
- [Abrogated, July 1, 2014]
- Time for Filing and Service
- Application for Extension of Time
- Required Number, Due Date, and Manner of Filing Paper Copies of Briefs
- Form of Briefs and Addenda
- Form of Motions and Other Documents
- Form of Documents Filed Electronically
- Signature
- Prehearing Conference
- Calendar
- Statement of the Case
- Allowance of Oral Argument
- Notice of Hearing; Postponement
- Time Allowed for Argument
- Order and Content of Argument
- Nonappearance of Counsel
- Submission on Briefs
- Trial Court Exhibits; Diagrams and Demonstrative Aids
- Submission When Member of Appellate Court Not Present
- Oral Argument - Place of Argument
- Audio and Video Coverage of Appellate Court Proceedings
- En Banc and Nonoral Consideration by the Supreme Court
- Opinion
- Entry of Judgment; Stay
- Remittitur
- Enforcement Of Money Judgments
- Damages for Delay
- Costs
- Disbursements
- Taxation of Costs and Disbursements; Time
- Disallowance of Costs and Disbursements
- Attorneys' Fees on Appeal - Procedure
- Petition for Rehearing
- Service; Filing
- Stay of Judgment
- Recusal in Supreme Court.
- Recusal in Court of Appeals.
- Timing.
- Voluntary Dismissal
- Default of Appellant
- Default of Respondent
- Parties
- Death of a Party
- Substitution for Other Causes
- Public Officers
- Attorneys
- Signature
- Cases Involving Constitutional Questions Where State is Not a Party
- Appendix of Forms
- Title
- Effective Date
Minn. R. Crim. P. — 180 rules
- Scope and Application
- Purpose and Construction
- Local Rules by District Court
- Definitions
- Repealed February 12, 2026, eff. July 1, 2026.
- Use of Electronic Filing for Charging Documents
- Manner of Appearance in Criminal Proceedings
- Contents; Before Whom Made
- Approval of Prosecutor
- Issuance
- Contents of Warrant or Summons
- Execution or Service of Warrant or Summons; Certification
- Defective Warrant, Summons or Complaint
- Arrest With a Warrant
- Arrest Without a Warrant
- Probable Cause Determination
- Purpose of First Appearance
- Requirement for Interpreter
- Statement of Rights
- Appointment of Counsel
- Date of Rule 8 Appearance; Consolidation of Appearances Under Rule 5 and Rule 8
- Plea and Post-Plea Procedure in Misdemeanor Cases
- Plea and Post-Plea Procedure in Gross Misdemeanor Cases
- Plea in Felony Cases
- Record
- Release on Citation
- Release by Court or Prosecutor
- Violation of Release Conditions
- Forfeiture
- Detention Supervision
- Misdemeanor Trial Dates
- Notice of Omnibus Issues
- Notice of Other Offenses
- Notice of Intent to Seek an Aggravated Sentence
- Completion of Discovery
- Purpose of Second Appearance
- Arraignment
- Demand or Waiver of Hearing
- Plea and Time of Omnibus Hearing
- Record
- Prosecution Disclosure in Felony and Gross Misdemeanor Cases
- Defendant's Disclosure in Felony and Gross Misdemeanor Cases
- Regulation of Discovery
- Discovery in Misdemeanor Cases
- Charges and Exemptions for Reproduction of Discovery in All Cases
- Pleadings and Motions
- Motions Attacking Court Jurisdiction in Misdemeanor Cases
- Service and Notice of Motions; Hearing Date
- Time and Place of Hearing
- Scope of the Hearing
- General Procedures
- Omnibus Motions
- Pretrial Conference
- Continuances
- Determination of Issues
- Pleas
- Trial Date
- Record
- Pretrial Conference
- Motions
- Other Issues
- Hearing on Evidentiary Issues
- Amended Complaint
- Pleas
- Continuances and Determination of Issues
- Record
- Arraignment in Felony and Gross Misdemeanor Cases
- Pleas Permitted
- Who May Plead
- Timing of Pleas
- Felony Cases
- Gross Misdemeanor and Misdemeanor Cases
- Alternative Methods in Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor Cases
- Plea Discussions and Agreements
- Plea Withdrawal
- Plea Discussions and Agreements Not Admissible
- Plea to Lesser Offenses
- Plea to Different Offense
- Record of Proceedings
- Guilty Plea to Offenses From Other Jurisdictions
- Use of Guilty Plea Petitions When Defendant is Disabled in Communication
- Misdemeanor Prosecution by Indictment
- Prosecution by Indictment, Complaint or Tab Charge
- Nature and Contents
- Joinder of Offenses and of Defendants
- Surplusage
- Amendment of Indictment or Complaint
- Motions Attacking the Charging Document
- Summoning Grand Juries
- Organization of Grand Jury
- Who May Be Present
- Record of Proceedings
- Kind and Character of Evidence
- Finding and Return of Indictment
- Secrecy of Proceedings
- Tenure and Excusal
- Objections to Grand Jury and Grand Jurors
- Issuance
- Form
- Service of the Indictment
- Defendant's Appearance in Court
- Bail or Conditions of Release
- Record
- Competency Proceedings
- Defense of Mental Illness or Cognitive Impairment - Mental Examination
- Disclosure of Reports and Records of Defendant's Mental Examinations
- Simultaneous Examinations
- When Taken
- Notice of Taking
- Expenses of Defendant and Counsel; Failure to Appear
- How Taken
- Transcription, Certification and Filing
- Use of Deposition
- Effect of Errors and Irregularities in Depositions
- Deposition by Stipulation
- For Attendance of Witnesses; For Documents
- By Whom Issued
- Service
- Place of Service
- Contempt
- Witness Outside the State
- Definition of Petty Misdemeanor
- Certification as Petty Misdemeanor by Sentence Imposed
- Violations Bureaus
- Certification as a Petty Misdemeanor in a Particular Case
- Procedure in Petty Misdemeanor Cases
- Effect of Conviction
- Place of Trial
- Venue in Special Cases
- Change of Venue
- Pretrial Hearings - Motion to Exclude Public
- Continuance or Change of Venue
- Restrictive Orders
- Trial by Jury or by the Court
- Jury Selection
- Procedures During Trial
- Post-Verdict Motions
- Conditions of Release
- Presentence Investigation in Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor Cases
- Sentencing Proceedings
- Probation Revocation
- Pretrial Diversion
- Scope of Rule
- Appeal by Defendant
- Certification of Proceedings
- Appeal by Prosecutor
- Appeal from Sentence Imposed or Stayed
- Voluntary Dismissal
- Scope of Rule
- Right of Appeal
- Procedure for Appeals by Defendant in First-Degree Murder Cases
- Procedure for Appeals from Court of Appeals
- Procedure for Appeals by the Prosecutor in Post-Conviction Cases
- Procedure for Prosecutor Appeals from a Judgment of Acquittal, Vacation of Judgment after a Jury Verdict of Guilty, or Order Granting a New Trial
- By Prosecutor
- By Court
- Harmless Error
- Plain Error
- Motions
- Service; Where Required
- Service; On Whom Made
- Notice of Orders
- Filing
- Electronic Transmission
- Computation
- Extension
- For Motions; Affidavits; Statements Under Penalty of Perjury
- Additional Time After Service by Mail or Electronic Service Late in the Day
- Unaffected by Expiration
- Courts and Court Administration
- General Rule
- When Request by Oral Testimony Appropriate
- Application
- Testimony Requirements
- Issuance of Warrant
- Filing
- Contents of Warrant
- Execution
- General Rule
- Electronic Transmission and Signature
Minn. R. Civ. P. — 287 rules
- Scope of Rules
- One Form of Action
- Commencement of the Action
- Service of Complaint
- Summons; Form
- By Whom Served
- Personal Service
- Service by Publications; Personal Service Out of State
- Additional Information to be Published
- Service of the Complaint
- Service by Publication; Defendant May Defend; Restitution
- Nonresident Owner of Land Appointing an Agent
- Waiving Service of Summons
- Return
- Amendments
- Service; When Required; Appearance
- Service; How Made
- Service; Numerous Defendants
- Filing; Certificate of Service
- Filing; Facsimile Transmission
- Filing Electronically
- Notice of Constitutional Challenge to a Statute
- Computation
- Enlargement
- Unaffected by Expiration of Term
- For Motions; Affidavits
- [Abrogated]
- Pleadings
- Motions and Other Documents
- Claims for Relief
- Defenses; Form of Denials
- Affirmative Defenses
- Effect of Failure to Deny
- Pleading to be Concise and Direct; Consistency
- Construction of Pleadings
- Capacity
- Fraud, Mistake, Condition of Mind
- Conditions Precedent
- Official Document or Act
- Judgment
- Time and Place
- Special Damages
- Unknown Party; How Designated
- Caption; Names of Parties
- Paragraph; Separate Statements
- Adoption by Reference; Exhibits
- Failure to Comply
- Signature
- Representations to Court
- Sanctions
- Inapplicability to Discovery
- When Presented
- How Presented
- Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
- Preliminary Hearing
- Motion for More Definite Statement, for Paragraphing and for Separate Statement
- Motion to Strike
- Consolidation of Defenses in Motion
- Waiver or Preservation of Certain Defenses
- Compulsory Counterclaims
- Permissive Counterclaims
- Counterclaim Exceeding Opposing Claim
- Counterclaim Against the State of Minnesota
- Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading
- Omitted Counterclaim
- Cross-Claim Against Co-Party
- Joinder of Additional Parties
- Separate Trials; Separate Judgment
- When a Defending Party May Bring in a Third Party
- Third-Party Defendant's Claims and Defenses
- Plaintiff's Claims Against a Third-Party Defendant
- Motion to Strike, Sever, or Try Separately
- Third-Party Defendant's Claim Against a Nonparty
- When a Plaintiff May Bring in a Third Party
- Defending Against a Demand for Judgment for the Plaintiff
- Protective Orders for Parties and Prevention of Delay
- Amendments
- Amendments to Conform to the Evidence
- Relation Back of Amendments
- Supplemental Pleadings
- Pretrial Conferences; Objectives
- Scheduling and Planning
- Subjects for Consideration
- Final Pretrial Conference
- Pretrial Orders
- Sanctions
- Real Party in Interest
- Infants or Incompetent Persons
- Joinder of Claims
- Joinder of Remedies; Fraudulent Conveyances
- Persons to be Joined if Feasible
- Determination by Court Whenever Joinder Not Feasible
- Pleading Reasons for Nonjoinder
- Exception of Class Actions
- Permissive Joinder
- Separate Trials
- Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties
- Interpleader
- Prerequisites to a Class Action
- Class Actions Maintainable
- Determining by Order Whether to Certify a Class Action; Appointing Class Counsel; Notice and Membership in Class; Judgment; Multiple Classes and Subclasses
- Orders in Conduct of Action
- Settlement, Voluntary Dismissal, or Compromise
- Appeals
- Class Counsel
- Attorney Fees Award
- Derivative Actions by Shareholders or Members
- Actions Relating to Unincorporated Associations
- Intervention of Right
- Permissive Intervention
- Procedure
- Notice to Attorney General
- Death
- Incompetency
- Transfer of Interest
- Public Officers; Death or Separation from Office
- Required Disclosures
- Discovery Methods, Scope and Limits
- Protective Orders
- Timing and Sequence of Discovery
- Supplementation of Disclosures and Responses
- Discovery Conference and Discovery Plan
- Signing of Disclosure and Discovery Requests, Responses, and Objections
- Before Action
- Pending Appeal
- Perpetuation by Action
- Within the United States
- In Foreign Countries
- Disqualification for Interest
- Stipulations Regarding Discovery Procedure
- When Depositions May Be Taken
- Notice of Examination; General Requirements; Notice of Method of Recording; Additional Recording Method; Production of Documents and Things; Deposition of Organization; Depositions by Remote Technology
- Examination and Cross-Examination; Record of Examination; Oath; Objections
- Schedule and Duration; Motion to Terminate or Limit Examination
- Review by Witness; Changes; Signing
- Certification and Filing by Officer; Exhibits; Copies; Notices of Filing
- Failure to Attend or to Serve Subpoena; Expenses
- Serving Questions; Notice
- Officer to Take Responses and Prepare Record
- Notice of Filing
- Use of Depositions
- Objections to Admissibility
- Form of Presentation
- Effect of Errors and Irregularities in Depositions
- Use of Video Depositions
- Availability
- Scope; Use at Trial
- Option to Produce Business Records
- Scope
- Procedure
- Persons Not Parties
- Order of Examinations
- Report of Findings
- Waiver of Medical Privilege
- Medical Disclosures and Depositions of Medical Experts
- Request for Admission
- Effect of Admission
- Motion for Order Compelling Disclosure or Discovery
- Failure to Comply with Order
- Failure to Disclose, to Supplement an Earlier Response, or to Admit
- Failure of a Party to Attend at Own Deposition or Serve Answers
- Failure to Preserve Electronically Stored Information
- Failure to Participate in Framing a Discovery Plan
- Right Preserved
- Waiver
- Placing Action on Calendar
- By Court
- Advisory Jury and Trial by Consent
- Preliminary Instructions in Jury Trials
- Opening Statements by Counsel
- Assignment of Cases for Trial
- Voluntary Dismissal; Effect Thereof
- Involuntary Dismissal; Effect Thereof
- Dismissal of Counterclaim, Cross-Claim, or Third-Party Claim
- Costs of Previously Dismissed Action
- Consolidation
- Separate Trials
- Form
- [ABROGATED]
- [ABROGATED]
- Affirmation in Lieu of Oath
- Evidence and Motions
- [ABROGATED]
- Interpreters
- Authentication
- Lack of Record
- Other Proof
- [ABROGATED]
- For Attendance of Witnesses; Form; Issuance
- Service
- Protection of Persons Subject to Subpoenas
- Duties in Responding to Subpoena
- Contempt
- Interstate Depositions and Discovery
- Exceptions Unnecessary
- Examination of Jurors
- [ABROGATED]
- Separation of Jury
- Excuse
- Number of Jurors; Participation in Verdict
- Special Verdicts
- General Verdict Accompanied by Answer to Interrogatories
- Judgment as a Matter of Law During Trial
- Making or Renewing Motion for Judgment After Trial; Alternative Motion for New Trial
- Granting Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law; Conditional Rulings; New Trial Motion
- Denial of Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law
- Requests
- Instructions
- Objections
- Assigning Error; Plain Error
- Effect
- Amendment
- Appointment
- Order Appointing Master
- Master's Authority
- Evidentiary Hearings
- Master's Orders
- Master's Reports
- Action on Master's Order, Report, or Recommendations
- Compensation
- Appointment of Statutory Referee
- Definition; Form
- Judgment upon Multiple Claims
- Demand for Judgment
- Costs
- Judgment
- Plaintiffs; Counterclaimants; Cross-Claimants
- Motion for Summary Judgment or Partial Summary Judgment
- Time to File a Motion
- Procedures
- When Facts Are Unavailable to the Nonmovant
- Failing to Properly Support or Address a Fact
- Judgment Independent of the Motion
- Failing to Grant All the Requested Relief
- Affidavit Submitted in Bad Faith
- Declaratory Judgments
- Entry
- Stay
- Grounds
- Basis of Motion
- Time for Motion
- Time for Serving Affidavits
- On Initiative of Court
- Stay of Entry of Judgment
- Clerical Mistakes
- Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud; etc.
- Harmless Error
- Stay on Motions
- Injunction Pending Appeal
- Stay Upon Appeal
- Stay in Favor of the State or Agency Thereof
- Power of Appellate Court Not Limited
- Stay of Judgment Upon Multiple Claims
- Disability of Judge
- Interest or Bias
- Notice to Remove
- Assignment of Judge
- Seizure of Person or Property
- Temporary Restraining Order; Notice; Hearing; Duration
- Temporary Injunction
- Security
- Form and Scope of Injunction or Restraining Order
- Receivers
- In an Action
- When No Action is Brought
- Court May Order Deposit or Seizure of Property
- Money Paid into Court
- Offer
- Acceptance or Rejection of Offer
- Effect of Unaccepted Offer
- Applicable Attorney Fees and Prejudgment Interest
- Execution
- Judgment for Specific Acts; Vesting Title
- Process in Behalf of and Against Persons not Parties
- District Courts Always Open
- Trials and Hearings; Orders in Chambers
- Court Administrator's Office and Orders by Court Administrator
- Notice of Orders or Judgments
- Stenographic Report or Transcript as Evidence
- Statutory and Other Procedures
- Appeals to District Courts
- Rules Incorporated into Statutes
- Jurisdiction and Venue
- Rules by District Courts
- Appendix of Forms
- Title
- Effective Date and Application to Pending Proceedings
Minn. R. Evid. — 64 rules
- Scope
- Purpose and Construction
- Rulings on Evidence
- Preliminary Questions
- Limited Admissibility
- Remainder of or Related Writings or Recorded Statements
- Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
- Presumptions in General in Civil Actions and Proceedings
- Definition of "Relevant Evidence"
- Relevant Evidence Generally Admissible; Irrelevant Evidence Inadmissible
- Exclusion of Relevant Evidence on Grounds of Prejudice, Confusion, or Waste of Time
- Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Other Crimes
- Methods of Proving Character
- Habit; Routine Practice
- Subsequent Remedial Measures
- Compromise and Offers to Compromise
- Payment of Medical and Similar Expenses
- Offer to Plead Guilty; Nolo Contendere, Withdrawn Plea of Guilty
- Liability Insurance
- Past Conduct of Victim of Certain Sex Offenses
- General Rule
- Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product; Limitations on Waiver
- Competency
- Lack of Personal Knowledge
- Oath or Affirmation
- Interpreters
- Competency of Judge as Witness
- Competency of Juror as Witness
- Who May Impeach
- Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness
- Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime
- Religious Beliefs or Opinions
- Mode and Order of Interrogation and Presentation
- Writing Used to Refresh Memory
- Prior Statements of Witnesses
- Calling and Interrogating Witnesses
- Exclusion of Witnesses
- Bias of Witness
- Conversation with Deceased or Insane Person
- Opinion Testimony by Lay Witness
- Testimony by Experts
- Bases of Opinion Testimony by Experts
- Opinion on Ultimate Issue
- Disclosure of Facts or Data Underlying Expert Opinion
- Court Appointed Experts
- Definitions
- Hearsay Rule
- Hearsay Exceptions; Availability of Declarant Immaterial
- Hearsay Exceptions; Declarant Unavailable
- Hearsay Within Hearsay
- Attacking and Supporting Credibility of Declarant
- Residual Exception
- Requirement of Authentication or Identification
- Self-authentication
- Subscribing Witness' Testimony Unnecessary
- Definitions
- Requirement of Original
- Admissibility of Duplicates
- Admissibility of Other Evidence of Contents
- Public Records
- Summaries
- Testimony or Written Admission of Party
- Functions of Court and Jury
- Rules Applicable