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This fact sheet talks about how to use the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES) and where to get more help with MNDES. As of January 1, 2025, everyone must use MNDES.
If you want the judge or jury to make their decision based on your evidence, you have to follow the court rules to have your evidence “admitted” to court. When evidence is used during a court case, it is called an “exhibit” to your case.
The rules about exhibits can be complicated. They apply both before your case and during your hearing or trial. Read the court’s information on Evidence and Exhibits to learn more.
MNDES is a website that lets you securely share your exhibits with the court and the other parties in your case. If you have a hearing, you use MNDES to submit your exhibits. Starting January 1, 2025, everyone has to use MNDES for their exhibits.
Don’t have a computer or printer/scanner? Check your local library or search for a Legal Kiosk that has a printer/scanner. Legal Kiosks are free to use.
Save your evidence onto the computer or your phone. If you need a printer or scanner, check your local library or search for a Legal Kiosk that has a printer/scanner.
Does your exhibit have personal or financial information? These might be things like social security numbers or bank account numbers. Before you scan or take a picture of the document, “redact” the personal or financial information. Use dark tape or cut a piece of thick paper to put over the information so that you can’t see it.
Upload each exhibit as a separate file. Don’t put multiple pictures or documents together. BUT, if you have a document that is more than one page, upload the entire document as one exhibit.
Example: You have a 3-page letter from your doctor and 3 photos that show damage to your car. You should have 4 exhibits total: 1 exhibit for the entire letter and 1 exhibit for each photo.
Write a Description for each exhibit that lets you easily remember what the exhibit is.
Example: Picture of rear passenger door
Check if the judge said you should number your exhibits. The instructions might be in something called a “Scheduling Order.”
Choose the Exhibit Type from the drop-down menu: Document, Image, Video Recording, or Audio Recording.
Choose your Party Affiliation from the drop-down menu: Plaintiff/Petitioner or Defendant/Respondent. If you are not sure, check the top of any court paperwork you got, and it should say one of the words after your name.
For help with things like court forms, tools to help you complete court forms, questions about court process or procedure, and help preparing for your day in court, get support from a Court Self-Help Center:
Call the Statewide Self-Help Center: (651) 435-6535