Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES)

How do I set up an account in MNDES?

Registration is easy and only takes a few minutes. Read the Quick Reference Guide (QRG) – Creating and Managing a MNDES Account on the Training tab for instructions.

What information do I need to set up a MNDES account?

All you need is a valid email address.

What happens after I create an account?

You will receive an email to complete registration and then you will be able to access MNDES, set up your profile, and submit exhibits into a specific case.

Who can see exhibits that I have submitted?

Only the individual associated with the MNDES account is able to view and work with exhibits that they have submitted.

What if multiple people within my office need to work with exhibits?

Some firms have set up a MNDES account using a generic group email account so that exhibit management duties can be shared within the same firm.

Can I still submit exhibits without an account?

Yes. Court administration staff can send you a link if you wish to submit an exhibit for a hearing and do not have an account set up. However, you will not be able to access that exhibit or any MNDES functionality until an account is set up. Also, the judicial officer who hears your case may decide to order you to create an account in MNDES to submit your exhibits.

What training is available?

Training materials are located on the Training tab of the MNDES website. Live training will be offered to external MNDES users close to each district deployment. Email communication will be sent.

Who do I contact with questions or if I need support?

Use the Contact Us form on the MNDES website and we will do our best to respond within 24 hours. Keep in mind that you are responsible for following any deadlines that apply to your court case. You can also contact your local court administration office.

What is MNDES?

MNDES is an electronic system for submitting and processing exhibits that is easy to access and use. It provides a reliable and flexible solution for submitting, tracking, presenting, and storing exhibits. The system also complies with the Minnesota Judicial Branch exhibit management processes and all applicable policies and rules.

Why should I use MNDES to submit my exhibits to the court?

MNDES allows users to easily submit, store, and access digital exhibits (audio, video, documents, and images) in a consistent manner statewide. Exhibits submitted through MNDES are readily accessible for both remote and in-person court hearings.

What are some best practices to use when submitting my exhibits through MNDES?

• Update the Exhibit Name so that it briefly describes the content and is easily identifiable
• Include an Exhibit Number only if instructed by the judicial officer to do so
• Upload exhibits in their native format; do not zip or compress an exhibit file
• Upload exhibits individually so they are listed separately in MNDES; do not combine multiple exhibits into a single file
• Ensure the exhibit is properly redacted before uploading

Do jurors have access to MNDES to view exhibits? 

The use of MNDES for jury deliberations is currently being piloted. Watch for updates.

Will the appellate courts be able to see exhibits in MNDES?

Yes, after district court staff have reviewed to confirm the exhibits are part of the record on appeal.

Can I use MNDES to view all exhibits submitted through my MNDES Portal account?

Exhibits submitted through your MNDES portal account for public cases are viewable from your MNDES portal account. Exhibits submitted for non-public cases or exhibits marked as non-public in a public case are not viewable from your MNDES portal account. Non-public exhibits submitted through the MNDES portal are only accessible to Minnesota Judicial Branch personnel.

Can “exhibits” associated with an affidavit or other case filing be submitted through MNDES?

MNDES is only used for exhibits that will be offered at a hearing or trial as evidence. Exhibits that are part of a case filing must be submitted to the court with the associated document for filing in the case management system.

What file types are acceptable in MNDES?

MNDES accepts all commonly used file types for audio, video, document, and image files. A list of acceptable file types is on the training tab.

Is there a limit to the file size that can be uploaded to MNDES?

The total upload size limit is 100,000,000 KB (100 GB). Keep in mind that larger files will take longer to upload. If you are uploading a large file, let the system run until the uploading process is complete.

What happens to the exhibits that I upload and do not use?

Those files remain in MNDES until the retention period for all exhibits is reached. If you would like, you can submit a deletion request from the portal.