MINNESOTA COURT RULES

GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE

Rule 703.Certificates of Representation

In any criminal case, a lawyer representing a client, other than a public defender, shall file with the court administrator on the first appearance a "certificate of representation," in such form and substance as a majority of judges in the district specifies.

Once a lawyer has filed a certificate of representation, that lawyer cannot withdraw from the case until all proceedings have been completed, except upon written order of the court pursuant to a written motion, or upon written substitution of counsel approved by the court ex parte.

A lawyer who wishes to withdraw from a criminal case must file a written motion and serve it by mail or personal service upon the client and upon the prosecutor by mail, personal service or electronic service if required or permitted by Rule 14. The lawyer shall then have the matter heard by the court. No motion of withdrawal will be heard within 14 days of a date certain for hearing or trial.

If the court approves the withdrawal, it shall be effective when the order has been served on the client and the prosecutor and due proof of such service has been filed with the court administrator.

(Amended effective July 1, 2015; amended effective January 1, 2020.)

Task Force Comment - 1991 Adoption

This rule is derived from 4th Dist. R. 8.05.

The Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure recommended that this local rule be incorporated in the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts for uniform statewide application and the Task Force concurs in that recommendation.