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Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES)

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is piloting a new system called MNDES to manage digital exhibits submitted before, during, and after court hearings.
Pilot Site Users Only: Register or Login

The Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES) pilot is testing a digital exhibit management system designed to be a single, common statewide solution for all digital exhibits. MNDES is a simpler, more secure way of managing digital exhibits than by email, network drives, or digital storage devices.

The pilot is scheduled to start early November 2021 in Ramsey, Sherburne, Washington, and Pine Counties. If you are an attorney, self-represented litigant (SRL), legal paraprofessional, or government-partner agency in any of these pilot counties, visit the Training and FAQ tabs for additional information.

Submitting exhibits via MNDES is how exhibits are submitted to the court. You must also follow Court Rules concerning exhibits, including sending the exhibits to other parties involved in your case, unless there is a court order that directs you to not contact another party such as an Order for Protection (OFP), Harassment Restraining Order (HRO), or Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO). If this applies to you, contact the court for assistance. 

Check back for regular updates in the coming weeks.

General Pilot Questions

Which courts are participating in the pilot?
The courts in Ramsey, Sherburne, Washington, and Pine Counties are participating in the pilot.

Can courts outside of these four counties use MNDES?
No. During the pilot, only the courts in the 4 pilot counties can use MNDES.

How long is the pilot?
The pilot is currently scheduled to be complete by the end of 2021.

What happens at the end of the pilot period?
The Judicial Branch will evaluate the pilot results and the experiences of MNDES users, implement changes as necessary. The Judicial Branch plan to implement MNDES statewide in 2022. 

Do jurors have access to MNDES to view exhibits?
Yes. Court staff will set up devices to allow jury access to digital exhibits, as authorized by the judicial officer.

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.

Why should I participate in the pilot?
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.

Account Registration Questions

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.

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 Pilot website.

Who do I contact with questions or if I need support?
Use the Contact Us form on the MNDES Pilot 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.