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Chapter 595
Section 595.024
Topics
Recent History
- 1998 Subd. 2 Amended 1998 c 357 s 2
This is an historical version of this statute chapter. Also view the most recent published version.
595.024 EXCEPTION AND PROCEDURE.
Subdivision 1. Disclosure; application. A person seeking disclosure may apply to the district
court of the county where the person employed by or associated with a news media resides, has a
principal place of business or where the proceeding in which the information sought is pending.
Subd. 2. Disclosure allowed; conditions. The application shall be granted only if the court
determines after hearing the parties that the person making application, by clear and convincing
evidence, has met all three of the following conditions:
(1) that there is probable cause to believe that the specific information sought (i) is clearly
relevant to a gross misdemeanor or felony, or (ii) is clearly relevant to a misdemeanor so long as
the information would not tend to identify the source of the information or the means through
which it was obtained,
(2) that the information cannot be obtained by alternative means or remedies less destructive
of first amendment rights, and
(3) that there is a compelling and overriding interest requiring the disclosure of the
information where the disclosure is necessary to prevent injustice.
Subd. 3. Determination; appeal. The district court shall consider the nature of the
proceedings, the merits of the claims and defenses, the adequacies of alternative remedies, the
relevancy of the information sought, and the possibility of establishing by other means that which
the source is expected or may tend to prove. The court shall make its appropriate order after
making findings of fact. The order may be appealed directly to the Court of Appeals according to
the Rules of Appellate Procedure. The order is stayed and nondisclosure shall remain in full force
and effect during the pendency of the appeal. Where the court finds that the information sought
has been published or broadcast, there shall be no automatic stay unless an appeal is filed within
two days after the order is issued. Either party may request expedited consideration.
History: 1973 c 735 s 4; 1983 c 247 s 204; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 319 s 23; 1998 c 357 s 2
Subdivision 1. Disclosure; application. A person seeking disclosure may apply to the district
court of the county where the person employed by or associated with a news media resides, has a
principal place of business or where the proceeding in which the information sought is pending.
Subd. 2. Disclosure allowed; conditions. The application shall be granted only if the court
determines after hearing the parties that the person making application, by clear and convincing
evidence, has met all three of the following conditions:
(1) that there is probable cause to believe that the specific information sought (i) is clearly
relevant to a gross misdemeanor or felony, or (ii) is clearly relevant to a misdemeanor so long as
the information would not tend to identify the source of the information or the means through
which it was obtained,
(2) that the information cannot be obtained by alternative means or remedies less destructive
of first amendment rights, and
(3) that there is a compelling and overriding interest requiring the disclosure of the
information where the disclosure is necessary to prevent injustice.
Subd. 3. Determination; appeal. The district court shall consider the nature of the
proceedings, the merits of the claims and defenses, the adequacies of alternative remedies, the
relevancy of the information sought, and the possibility of establishing by other means that which
the source is expected or may tend to prove. The court shall make its appropriate order after
making findings of fact. The order may be appealed directly to the Court of Appeals according to
the Rules of Appellate Procedure. The order is stayed and nondisclosure shall remain in full force
and effect during the pendency of the appeal. Where the court finds that the information sought
has been published or broadcast, there shall be no automatic stay unless an appeal is filed within
two days after the order is issued. Either party may request expedited consideration.
History: 1973 c 735 s 4; 1983 c 247 s 204; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 319 s 23; 1998 c 357 s 2
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Revisor of Statutes