Minnesota Mock Trial Rules

Midwest

MN · Capital: Saint Paul

Evidence Rules

Minnesota Rules of Evidence

Citation: Minn. R. Evid.

Key Differences from Federal Rules of Evidence

Minnesota follows the Frye-Mack standard for scientific evidence under Minn. R. Evid. 702, requiring general acceptance in the scientific community
Minn. R. Evid. 801(d)(1)(B) is broader than FRE 801(d)(1)(B), admitting prior consistent statements for substantive purposes without requiring that they predate a motive to fabricate
Minnesota recognizes a broader public records exception under Minn. R. Evid. 803(8) that encompasses medical examiner reports not typically admissible under the FRE

Notable Rules

Rule	Description
Minn. R. Evid. 702 (Frye-Mack)	Scientific evidence must meet the Frye-Mack general acceptance standard, requiring the methodology to be generally accepted in the relevant scientific community
Minn. R. Evid. 404(b)	Other crimes evidence admissible only for specific purposes; State v. Spreigl requires clear and convincing evidence standard and advance notice
Minn. R. Evid. 609	Impeachment by conviction limited to felonies within 10 years; balancing test weighs probative value against prejudicial effect with a presumption of exclusion

Trial Procedure

Civil Procedure

Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure (Minn. R. Civ. P.)

Criminal Procedure

Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure (Minn. R. Crim. P.)

Key Features

Minnesota uses a single-tier District Court system as the sole trial court of general jurisdiction
Court-annexed ADR programs are mandatory in many civil cases before trial
Minnesota employs structured voir dire with both judge and attorney questioning permitted

Jury Rules

Civil Jury Size

Criminal Jury Size

Unanimity Required

Civil juries consist of 6 jurors; parties may stipulate to a different number
Criminal felony juries require 12 jurors with unanimous verdict
Civil verdicts require agreement of 5 of 6 jurors under Minn. R. Civ. P. 48.01

Special Features

Spreigl Notice Requirement

Minnesota requires the prosecution to provide written "Spreigl notice" before trial when intending to introduce evidence of other crimes or bad acts under Rule 404(b)

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