News & Notices
Criminal Division Launches Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES) effective December 30, 2024
The Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES) is a way to share digital exhibits with the court and parties. MNDES allows users to easily submit, store, and access digital exhibits (audio, video, documents, and images) in a consistent manner. MNDES is a simpler, more secure way of managing digital exhibits than by email, network drives, or digital storage devices, and allows exhibits to be easily accessed for both remote and in-person hearings.
The use of MNDES in criminal trials is required starting Monday, December 30, 2024. Submitting exhibits via MNDES will become mandatory statewide on January 1, 2025, per Supreme Court Order ADM09-8010. Parties must continue to follow all Court Rules concerning exhibits, including sending the exhibits to other parties involved in the case.
Hennepin County District Court will provide online training on a weekly basis starting Friday, November 22, at 11 a.m. Fill out this form to sign up for a training session.
For additional information and access to MNDES, please visit the Exhibits and Evidence Help Topic.
Warrant Helpline has a New Phone Number
Hennepin County District Court has updated its Warrant Helpline number that allows adult defendants to get information about their warrant and possibly schedule a court hearing to take care of their case.
Effective June 24, 2024, the new number for the program is (612) 540-6485.
Did you miss court? Need to clear your warrant?
Hennepin County Criminal Court has a warrant helpline where you can call or email to get information about your warrant and schedule a court hearing to take care of your case. Your warrant will stay active until you go to court, which means you could still be arrested even though you have scheduled court over the phone. This service gives you an opportunity to schedule a date to take care of it. If you have an attorney, you or your attorney can call and schedule court.
Warrant Helpline: (612) 540-6485
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, but you can leave a voicemail after hours and we will call you back.
You can also Email Us and we will respond within 1-2 business days.
Please note: Not all cases will be eligible to schedule court over the phone.
Warrants not eligible:
- Warrants for missing a trial,
- Warrants for certain probation violations,
- Complaint warrants, or
- Warrants for failure to appear at the Workhouse/Adult Correctional Facility.
If your warrant is not eligible for a court date, you will need to turn yourself in at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility (“Jail”) located at 401 4th Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis.
Criminal Expungement has a New Phone Number
We now have a new phone number for the Criminal Expungement Scheduling Line. To schedule a criminal expungement hearing, call (612) 540-7096 or visit the Self-Help Center in person. Learn more about criminal expungement »
All Hearing Officer Appointments are Remote
Need to see a Hearing Officer? All appointments are now held remote.
Golden Valley cases move to Brookdale
Starting on January 1, 2024, all hearings for criminal cases charged by the city of Golden Valley will be heard at the Brookdale courthouse. This is for all Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor cases. Hearings for Golden Valley are held in person, except for Payable Arraignment hearings that are held remote via Zoom. Please contact the Court if you have questions about where to go for your court hearing at (612) 348-6000.
Learn about Hearing eReminders and how to sign up!
Need fingerprints?
Some criminal court cases require you to get fingerprinted before you go to court (Minnesota Statute § 299C.10s1). You may now get fingerprinted at the Public Safety Facility downtown Minneapolis at 401 South Fourth Avenue in Room 133.01 (map). Get fingerprinted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The office is closed from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Bring a copy of your court notice and a photo I.D. to speed up the process. Not sure if you need fingerprints? Call us at (612) 348-6000 or click on the chat button above.
Video: Get Tips on How to Handle a Ticket in Hennepin County
Got a ticket or citation? Watch this video to hear about your options.
Interested in learning about the Criminal Justice System?
Learn more about the courts and the justice system in this Criminal Justice 101 video, produced by the Hennepin County government partners.
Request for Continuance by Email
Attorneys and self-represented defendants who want to reschedule a court hearing may submit a Request for Continuance. Learn more »
Criminal & Civil Signing Judge Hours
9 a.m. - noon | 1:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Monday - Friday, closed legal holidays
The Criminal and Civil Signing Judge courtroom is closed and the Signing Judge will not be available to walk-in customers. All signing matters will be handled remotely (by phone, email, or through other means). Staff for the Signing Judge may be contacted at (612) 543-9200.