MINNESOTA COURT RULES

APPELLATE PROCEDURE

The Minnesota Supreme Court Rules of Decorum

Adopted October 15, 1996

Rule 1:

The flags of the United States and the State of Minnesota shall be displayed at all times while the court is in session.

Rule 2:

No tobacco in any form, food or drink shall be permitted in the courtroom.

Rule 3:

No hats, caps or other headgear shall be worn in the courtroom. Overcoats and overshoes should be removed before entering the courtroom. No one may remain standing while court is in session.

Rule 4:

No signs or banners are allowed in the courtroom. There shall be no demonstrations of any kind in the courtroom while court is in session. There shall be no unnecessary conversation, loud whispering, newspaper or magazine reading in the courtroom while court is in session. In addition, pagers and cellular telephones must be turned off before entering the courtroom gallery. Any distracting or disconcerting activity will be grounds for removal from the courtroom.

Rule 5:

Tape recorders, video cameras and still cameras are prohibited from the courtroom without the prior consent of the Court. All public media-related equipment to be utilized during court proceedings, may be set up 45 minutes before court begins. Any equipment not set up 15 minutes before court begins, will not be allowed into the courtroom. No microphone wire or camera cable shall obstruct access to or egress from the courtroom or the podium.

Rule 6:

Children must be under the control and supervision of an adult at all times.

Rule 7:

Spectators in the gallery must remain seated during arguments. Spectators may leave or enter the court during times when the attorneys are approaching or leaving the podium.

Rule 8:

At the opening of each court day, the Court Marshal shall, by rap of the gavel, direct all present to stand, and shall clearly and distinctly say:

"All rise for the honorable justices of the Supreme Court of the state of Minnesota."

Rule 9:

It shall be the duty of the Court Marshal to maintain order at all times as attorneys and the public assemble in the courtroom. This duty shall include removing persons for distracting or discordant behavior, admitting persons to the courtroom and directing them to seats, and refusing admittance to the courtroom when the courtroom is filled to its seating capacity.

Rule 10:

Lawyers are officers of the court and shall at all times uphold the honor and maintain the dignity of the profession, maintaining at all times a respectful attitude toward the court and opposing counsel.

Rule 11:

Unless otherwise noted in a specific calendar, oral arguments on days assigned begin at 9:00 a.m. All attorneys in all cases are to be present and prepared to argue at 9:00 a.m. They must check in with the Court Marshal and be prepared to begin whenever they are called. (Case Dispositional Procedures - Oral Arguments, Minn.R.Civ.App.P.)

Rule 12:

All lawyers and court personnel shall wear appropriate business attire to the courtroom.

Rule 13:

All lawyers accompanied by clients shall advise their clients of all of the formalities of the courtroom and courtroom appearances.