MINNESOTA COURT RULES

GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE

Section 12.Exhibits

(a)Pre-Trial Exchange of Lists of Exhibits.

Each party shall prepare a list of exhibits to be offered in evidence, and exchange copies of such lists with other counsel prior to the pre-trial conference. Such lists shall briefly describe each exhibit anticipated to be offered in evidence. Prior to the commencement of trial, copies of all documents on the list of exhibits shall be made available by the proponent for examination and copying by any other party.

(b)Counsel to Organize Numerous Exhibits.

If it can reasonably be anticipated that numerous exhibits will be offered in a trial, all counsel shall meet with designated court personnel shortly prior to or during a recess of the trial for the purpose of organizing and marking the exhibits.

All exhibits shall be marked for identification before any reference by counsel or by a witness.

(c)Marking of Exhibits First Disclosed During Trial.

When an exhibit is first disclosed, the proponent shall have it marked for identification before referring to it.

(d)Collections of Similar and Related or Integrated Documents.

Each collection of similar and related or integrated documents shall be marked with a single designation. If reference is made to a specific document or page in such collection, it shall be marked with a letter the arabic exhibit number assigned to the collection, e.g., "1-a," "21-b," "2-g," etc.

(e)Oral Identification of Exhibits at First Reference.

Upon first reference to an exhibit the proponent shall briefly refer to its general nature, without describing the contents.

(f)When Exhibits to be Given to Jurors.

Exhibits admitted into evidence, subject to cursory examination, such as photographs and some other demonstrative evidence, may be handed to jurors only after leave is obtained from the court.

Other exhibits admitted into evidence, not subject to cursory examination, such as writings, shall not be handed to jurors until they retire to the jury room upon the cause being submitted to them. If a party contends that an exhibit not subject to cursory examination is critical and should be handed to jurors in the jury box during the course of the trial, counsel shall request leave from the court. Such party shall be prepared to furnish sufficient copies of the exhibit, if reasonably practicable, for all jurors in the event such leave is granted; and upon concluding their examination, the jurors should return the copies to the bailiff. In lieu of copies, and if reasonably practicable, enlargements or projections of such exhibits may be utilized. The court may permit counsel to read short exhibits or portions of exhibits to the jury.

(g)Exhibits Admitted in Part.

If an exhibit admitted into evidence contains some inadmissible matter, e.g., a reference to insurance, excluded hearsay, opinion or other evidence lacking foundation, the court, outside the hearing of the jury, shall specify the excluded matter and withhold delivery of such exhibit to the jurors unless and until the inadmissible matter is physically deleted.

Such redaction may be accomplished by photocopying or other copying which deletes the inadmissible portions, and in such event, the proponent of such exhibit shall prepare and furnish a copy.

If redaction by such copying is not accomplished, the parties shall seek to reach a stipulation as to other means; and failing so to do, the admissible matter may be read into evidence with leave of the court.

(h)Evidence Admitted for a Limited Purpose.

When evidence is received for a limited purpose or against less than all other parties, the court shall so instruct the jury at the time of admission and, if requested by counsel, during final instructions.

(Amended effective January 1, 1994.)

Cross Reference: Minn. R. Civ. P. 43.

Advisory Committee Comment - 1994 Amendment

Subsection (a) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 37.

Subsection (b) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 38.

Subsection (c) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 39.

Subsection (d) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 41.

Subsection (e) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 42.

Subsection (f) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 19.

Subsection (g) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 20.

Subsection (h) is derived from existing Trialbook paragraph 21.

Former subsection (d) is deleted because uniform exhibit marking is now covered by Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 130, a new rule effective on the same date. The remaining sections are renumbered for convenience.

The provisions of subsection (f) are not intended to limit in any way the discretion of the trial court as to what evidence is allowed to go to the jury room. Any evidence that is fragile, perishable, or hazardous may properly not be allowed into the jury deliberation room.