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Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES)

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is implementing a new system called MNDES to manage digital exhibits submitted before, during, and after court hearings.      
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The Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES) is 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.

MNDES was successfully piloted in Ramsey, Sherburne, Washington, and Pine Counties. Statewide expansion of MNDES will be phased in throughout 2022 on the following schedule:

  • May 31, 2022 – Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, and Wright counties
  • June 27, 2022 – Third Judicial District and Sixth Judicial District
  • August 22, 2022 – Seventh Judicial District and Eighth Judicial District
  • September 12, 2022 – First Judicial District
  • October 2022 – Fifth Judicial District and Ninth Judicial District*
  • November 2022 – Fourth Judicial District*

*Specific dates within the scheduled month will be determined as districts begin the implementation process.

To find the district where your county is located use: Minnesota Judicial Branch - District-Finder (mncourts.gov).

If you are an attorney, self-represented litigant (SRL), legal paraprofessional, or government-partner agency in a county using MNDES, visit the Training and FAQ tabs for additional information.

Submitting exhibits via MNDES is the easiest way to provide your digital exhibits 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. 

 

Training Materials

Application Overview – MNDES Portal
QRG – Creating and Managing a MNDES Account
QRG – Uploading and Managing Exhibits
Handout – MNDES Accepted File Formats


Training Schedule

June 27, 2022: Third and Sixth Judicial Districts Go Live on MNDES
 

To prepare for a successful MNDES implementation in your district, you are encouraged to attend a live 1/2-hour training session that provides an overview of the portal that justice partners and parties will use to submit exhibits to the court.

Register for the session that works best with your schedule. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For those unable to attend a live session, a recording will be available on following the training.

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 website.

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.

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

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.