Hennepin County District Court
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Stay Request Letter
- Email • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- A hearing-date change letter must state why the party cannot attend, be received at least five days before the hearing, and suggest preferred new dates and times.
Communication
Phone
Document Filing Requirements9 rules
Step 1. Draft a letter addressed to Chief Judge Kerry W. Meyer requesting that the balance of the petitioner’s driver's license revocation and/or license plate impoundment periods be stayed pending resolution of the Implied Consent Hearing. This letter must include the petitioner’s: Full name; Date of birth; Driver’s license number; and License plate number, if applicable.
A pro se stay-request letter need not be typed but must state the requester’s full name, mailing address, email address if available, date of birth, driver’s license number, license plate number if applicable, and case number if available.
Court's wording
Write a letter addressed to Chief Judge Kerry W. Meyer requesting that the balance of your driver's license revocation and/or license plate impoundment periods be stayed pending resolution of the Implied Consent Hearing. The letter does not need to be typed, but it must include your: Full name Mailing address Email address (if you have one) Date of birth Driver’s license number License plate number (if applicable) Case number of your Implied Consent case if you have it (27-CV-XXXX)
An Affidavit of Identification of both the debtor and creditor.
To open a foreign judgment case, the following must be filed: A certified copy of the judgment from the out-of-state or out-of-country court.
For any filing requesting emergency assignment, the filer must submit a letter explaining the basis for the request. This letter must be filed using the code "Request for Emergency Judge Assignment" and included with all pleadings and supporting documents.
- Document
- Emergency assignment request
Must include
- •Request for Emergency Judge Assignment
Summons and Complaint;
Supporting documents and exhibits to prove up your case; and
Affidavit of No Answer, Non-Military Service, Identification, Amount Due and Costs and Disbursements (also known as a five-part affidavit);
Affidavit of Service of Summons and Complaint;
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The stay-request letter must be electronically filed through the eFile & eServe system.
Step 2. Electronically file the letter through the eFile & eServe system (eFS.)
Page 1 | Overview
Attorneys must electronically file a transcript-of-judgment request.
attorneys must e-File their request.
Page 1 | How to transcribe a judgment to District Court
All parties may elect to file a transcript-of-judgment request electronically, but attorneys must do so electronically.
Any party can choose to e-File but attorneys must e-File their request. This is done by:Opening a new Transcript of Judgment case
Page 1 | How to transcribe a judgment to District Court
A counterclaim may be filed electronically through eFS, in person, or by mail.
You may use the eFile and eServe (eFS) System to upload and file a Conciliation Court counterclaim form that is already completed or you may file in person or by mail.
Page 1 | How to file a counterclaim
A claimant may use Guide and File or eFS to create or upload and file the Conciliation Court claim form.
You can use the Minnesota Guide & File to create the Conciliation Court Claim form you need to start a case and file it. You may also use the eFile and eServe (eFS) System to upload and file a Conciliation Court claim form that is already completed.
Page 1 | How to file a Conciliation Court claim
Conciliation Court claims may be filed in person, through eFS or Guide and File, or by mail.
Hennepin County Conciliation Court claims may be in person, via eFS, by using Guide and File, or by mail at:Civil Division - Conciliation Court 300 S. 6th Street, 3rd Floor Courts Tower Minneapolis, MN 55487
Page 1 | Where to file a Conciliation Court case
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
An alcohol-related seized-property claim must be filed within 60 days after service of the Notice of Seizure.
The Conciliation Court Statement of Claim: Demand for Judicial Determination of Forfeiture (Alcohol-Related Offense) must be filed within 60 days following the service of the "Notice of Seizure."
Page 1 | How to file a claim for property seized in a DWI arrest
A drug-related seized-property claim must be filed within 60 days after service of the Notice of Seizure and Intent to Forfeit Property.
The Conciliation Court Statement of Claim: Demand for Judicial Determination of Forfeiture (Controlled Substance Offense) must be filed within 60 days following the service of the Notice of Seizure and Intent to Forfeit Property.
Page 1 | How to file a claim for property seized in a drug arrest
After 21 days from service of the Notice of Judgment, a new-trial request must be made by a notice and motion supported by a supporting affidavit.
To request a new trial after 21 days since the Notice of Judgment was served, the party must file a Notice and Motion to Vacate Conciliation Court Judgment After Deadline
Page 1 | How to Ask for a New Trial
When a judgment is paid by a method other than cash, the Satisfaction of Judgment must be filed within 30 days.
if payment is made any other way, file the Satisfaction within 30 days.
Page 1 | How to pay a judgment
A counterclaim must be filed at least 14 days before the hearing date.
You must file your counterclaim at least fourteen (14) days before the hearing date.
Page 1 | How to file a counterclaim
A removal from Conciliation Court must be filed before the stay-of-entry expiration date shown on the Order for Judgment.
The removal must be filed before the "stay of entry" date expires. This date is written in on the bottom portion of the Order for Judgment.
Page 1 | How to file a "removal" of the case and appeal to District Court
Proof of service must be served and filed within 60 days after issuance of the Summons, and inability to meet that deadline may not support a continuance.
Per Rule 508(d) of the MN Rules of General Practice, you must serve and file proof of service within 60 days of the issuance of the Summons. If you are unable to meet this deadline, please note that the Court may not grant a continuance for that reason. You may need to dismiss your claim and refile.
Page 1 | How to continue or reschedule a court date
When a judgment is paid in cash, the Satisfaction of Judgment must be filed within 10 days.
if payment is made in cash, file the Satisfaction with the Court within 10 days;
Page 1 | How to pay a judgment
Within 21 days after service of the Notice of Judgment, a party may file an ex parte request to vacate the judgment order and grant a new trial by showing a justifiable reason for missing the hearing.
To request a new trial within 21 days since the Notice of Judgment was served, the party may file an "ex parte" Request to Vacate Order for Judgement and Grant New Trial if the party who failed to appear gives a justifiable reason why they did not appear at the hearing.
Page 1 | How to Ask for a New Trial
District Court staff must review all emergency filings before accepting them or assigning a judge.
District Court staff review all emergency filings before they are accepted and before a judge is assigned. This includes requests for temporary restraining orders, injunctions, and other forms of emergency relief.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Case Management
A party may appeal to district court within 40 days after the Report of Commissioners is filed.
Upon the filing of the Report of Commissioners, any party to the proceeding may appeal to the district court at any time within 40 days from the date the report was filed.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Filing an appeal of the award of commissioners in a condemnation case
If the pro se stay request is denied, an Implied Consent Hearing will be scheduled immediately, with the date stated in the chief judge’s order.
If your request is denied, an Implied Consent Hearing will be scheduled immediately and the date of the hearing will be stated in the chief judge's order.
Page 1 | Overview
If the requested stay is denied, an Implied Consent Hearing will be scheduled immediately, with the hearing date stated in the order.
If the petitioner’s request to stay the balance of the revocation period is denied, an Implied Consent Hearing will be scheduled immediately and the date of the hearing will be stated in the order.
Page 1 | Overview
An accepted emergency filing will receive a judge assignment on the next business day.
If accepted, the case will be assigned on the next business day.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Case Management
Emergency filings are reviewed during regular business hours, and those submitted after 3:00 p.m. may be reviewed either that day or the next business day.
Emergency filings are reviewed during regular business hours. Filings submitted after 3:00 p.m. may be reviewed the same day or on the next business day.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Case Management
The chief judge’s staff catalogs submitted requests and reviews each request daily to determine whether it meets all criteria for consideration by the judge.
The chief judge's staff catalogs all requests as they are submitted and reviews each request daily to determine whether it meets all of the criteria for consideration by the judge.
Page 1 | Overview
Judge Meyer’s staff reviews each submitted request daily to determine whether it meets the criteria for judicial consideration.
Judge Meyer's staff catalogs all requests as they are submitted and reviews each request daily to determine if it meets all of the criteria for consideration by the Judge.
Page 1 | Overview
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of the tenant's Answer must be given to the landlord before the hearing starts.
If you wrote a response (Answer) to your landlord’s complaint, file the Answer, with the filing fee, at the front counter of Housing Court. Give a copy of the Answer to your landlord before the hearing starts;
Page 1 | The Courtroom Process
Step 3. Add yourself as a Service Contact if you have not already done so. Once the Judge issues an order, eFS will send a copy of the order to the email address you entered for the service contact.
Step 3. Add yourself as a Service Contact if you have not already done so. Once the Judge issues an order, eFS will send a copy of the order to the email address you entered for the service contact.
Page 1 | Overview
A pro se filer must make two copies of the letter and deliver or mail one copy to Civil Filing and the other to Chief Judge Meyer’s chambers.
Make two copies of the letter. Deliver or mail one copy to Civil Filing at Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, C-332, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Deliver or mail the other copy to Chief Judge Kerry W. Meyer's chambers at Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487.
Page 1 | Overview
A drug-related seized-property claim filed in Hennepin County must be served on the Hennepin County Attorney's Office Forfeiture Unit.
To file in Hennepin County Conciliation Court, the drug-related incident must have occurred in Hennepin County, and a copy of the claim form must be served on: Hennepin County Attorney's Office Forfeiture UnitA-2000, Hennepin County Government Center 300 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN, 55487
Page 1 | How to file a claim for property seized in a drug arrest
The plaintiff must be served with the counterclaim, and an Affidavit of Service must be filed when the counterclaim is filed.
You must serve the plaintiff(s) with a copy of the counterclaim and file an Affidavit of Service with the court when you file the counterclaim.
Page 1 | How to file a counterclaim
Paperwork for an alcohol-related seized-property claim must be served on the prosecuting authority.
The paperwork must be served on the prosecuting authority.
Page 1 | How to file a claim for property seized in a DWI arrest
All parties or their attorneys must be served with the Demand for Removal by first-class mail.
All parties or their attorneys must be served with the Demand for Removal. Service shall be by first class mail.
Page 1 | How to file a "removal" of the case and appeal to District Court
A new lawsuit for failure to pay a judgment is initiated by serving a Summons and Complaint on the judgment debtor.
A lawsuit is started by serving a Summons and Complaint on the judgment debtor.
Civil cases
Page 1 | How long does a judgment last?
The court sends the assignment or reassignment notice only to the party’s first attorney on the Certificate of Representation; that attorney must notify other counsel, and the filing attorney or party must notify those not listed.
The court sends a "Notice of Judge Assignment" (or Reassignment) only to the first attorney for a party listed on the Certificate of Representation. That attorney is responsible for notifying all other attorneys representing the party. The filing attorney (or party) is responsible for notifying all attorneys (or parties) not listed on the Certificate of Representation.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Case Management
The Notice and Request for Hearing to Determine Attorneys' Fee Award may be served only after the party has defaulted.
NOTE: The Notice and Request for Hearing to Determine Attorneys' Fee Award can only be served AFTER the party has defaulted.
Civil cases
Page 1 | What to File
When applicable, proof of service of the Notice and Request for Hearing to Determine Attorneys' Fee Award must be filed.
Proof of service of the Notice and Request for Hearing to Determine Attorneys' Fee Award pursuant to MN Rules of Gen. Practice 119, if applicable.
Civil cases
Page 1 | What to File
The Demand for Removal may alternatively be served personally under the District Court personal-service rules.
Service may also be by personal service in accordance with the provisions for personal service summons in District Court.
Page 1 | How to file a "removal" of the case and appeal to District Court
Filing Fees and Waivers
An ETRA filing requires payment of the filing fee unless the court orders a waiver for inability to pay because of low income.
To file an ETRA, the tenant must do the following: Pay the filing fee (unless the filing fee is ordered waived due to inability to pay due to low income);
Page 1 | The Courtroom Process
A tenant defending a nonpayment eviction must bring the rent and the court fees listed on the complaint to court.
When you are being evicted for not paying rent:Bring the rent money to court with the court fees listed on the complaint. Bring your money in the form of cash or certified check;
Page 1 | Eviction Information for Tenants
A tenant's Answer must be filed with the filing fee at the Housing Court counter, and a copy must be given to the landlord before the hearing begins.
If you wrote a response (Answer) to your landlord’s complaint, file the Answer, with the filing fee, at the front counter of Housing Court. Give a copy of the Answer to your landlord before the hearing starts;
Page 1 | The Courtroom Process
A claim form requires a filing fee, but a financially qualifying claimant may file an affidavit of inability to pay instead.
You must file your completed claim form with the court and pay a filing fee. Visit the Fees tab on our homepage to see current fee amounts. If you financially qualify, you may complete and file the Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
Page 1 | How to file a Conciliation Court claim
Filing a Satisfaction of Judgment with the court requires a filing fee.
there is a filing fee to file the Satisfaction with the court.
Page 1 | How to pay a judgment
If you have not paid the initial filing fee, you must include the fee for your request to be processed; if you financially qualify, you may file the Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
If you have not already paid the initial filing fee, you must include the fee for the request to be processed. Visit the Fees tab on our homepage to see current fee amounts. If you financially qualify, you may complete and file the Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
Page 1 | How to continue or reschedule a court date
If you have not paid the initial filing fee, you must include it for your request to be processed; if you financially qualify, you may file the Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
If you have not already paid the initial filing fee, you must include the fee for the request to be processed. Visit the Fees tab on our homepage to see current fee amounts. If you financially qualify, you may complete and file the Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
Page 1 | How to Ask for a New Trial
A removal filed in District Court requires payment of a filing fee.
Pay the filing fee.
Page 1 | How to file a "removal" of the case and appeal to District Court
A counterclaim requires a filing fee, but a financially qualifying filer may submit a fee-inability affidavit.
When you have filled out your counterclaim, you must file it with the court and pay a filing fee. Visit the Fees tab on our homepage to see current fee amounts. If you financially qualify, you may complete and file the Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
Page 1 | How to file a counterclaim
A mailed transcript-of-judgment request must include a check payable to the District Court Administrator.
Check payable to the District Court Administrator (fee schedule)
Page 1 | How to transcribe a judgment to District Court
If filing by mail, you must send the completed claim form and either the correct filing fee, payable by check to Conciliation Court, or an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee.
If you file by mail, send your completed claim form along with the correct filing fee (checks should be payable to Conciliation Court) or Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee to:
Page 1 | How to file a counterclaim
A claim may be filed in person or by mail; mailed filings require the correct fee by check payable to Conciliation Court or a fee-inability affidavit.
You may file in person or by mail. If you file by mail, send your completed claim form along with the correct filing fee (checks should be payable to Conciliation Court) or Affidavit of Inability to Pay Conciliation Court Filing Fee to:
Page 1 | How to file a Conciliation Court claim
An in-person transcript-of-judgment request requires the debtor-identification affidavit and payment of a fee.
Apply in person at the civil division counter on the 3rd floor court's tower of the Hennepin County Government Center to request a transcript of your judgment. You will need to complete an Affidavit of Identification of Judgment Debtor and pay a fee.
Page 1 | How to transcribe a judgment to District Court
An electronic transcript-of-judgment request requires payment of the filing fee.
Paying the filing fee
Page 1 | How to transcribe a judgment to District Court
A filing will be rejected unless all required fees are paid at filing or the filing includes a fee-waiver request.
All required filing fees must be paid at the time of filing or submitted with a fee waiver request, or the filing will be rejected.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Case Management
A party filing a notice of appeal must initiate a new Condemnation Appeal case and pay a first filing fee.
The party must file a new Condemnation Appeal case with their notice of appeal and pay a first filing fee.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Filing an appeal of the award of commissioners in a condemnation case
The required filing fees must be paid when filing the documents needed to request administrative default judgment.
To ask that a judgment entered by default on an administrative basis, the following documents must be filed with the court along with the required filing fees:
Civil cases
Page 1 | What to File
A tenant requesting a jury trial may be required to pay a jury fee.
If you want a jury trial, you may have to pay a jury fee.
Page 1 | The Courtroom Process
A Conciliation Court subpoena used to require a reluctant witness to appear is available for a fee.
If a witness is reluctant to appear, you may use a "subpoena" (written form from the court) to require them to appear. Subpoenas are available from the Conciliation Court for a fee.
Page 1 | How to prepare for the hearing
A party may request one hearing-date change, and additional requests may result in costs of up to $50.
You may ask to change your hearing date only one time. If you need to make additional requests, the Court may order you to pay costs of up to $50.
Page 1 | How to continue or reschedule a court date
A subpoena used to obtain relevant documents held by another person is available from Conciliation Court for a fee.
You can also demand that someone give you documents that relate to the dispute that another person has but is not willing to give to you voluntarily. You do this with a subpoena that you can get from the Conciliation Court for a fee.
Page 1 | How to prepare for the hearing
No filing fee is required for a drug-related seized-property claim filed in Conciliation Court.
Effective August 1, 2010, claims for return of seized property may be filed in Conciliation Court if the property is valued at $20,000 or less. There is no filing fee.
Page 1 | How to file a claim for property seized in a drug arrest
No filing fee is required for an alcohol-related seized-vehicle claim filed in Conciliation Court.
Effective August 1, 2012, claims for return of seized property may be filed in Conciliation Court if the property is valued at $20,000 or less. There is no filing fee.
Page 1 | How to file a claim for property seized in a DWI arrest
Pleadings filed by Adult Representation Services may be filed without a fee.
FAM - Authorized Filing of Pleadings without Fees by Adult Representation Services - Nov. 2023
Page 1 | Family Court
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When filing the stay-request letter, the filer must email one courtesy copy to the Chief Judge.
When filing the letter, you must email a courtesy copy to the Chief Judge to ensure that your request is received.
Page 1 | Overview
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A hearing-date change letter must state why the party cannot attend, be received at least five days before the hearing, and suggest preferred new dates and times.
Your letter must meet the following requirements: Explain the reason why you cannot be at the hearing. The letter must be received at least five (5) days before the original hearing date. Saturday, Sunday, legal holidays, and the hearing date are not included in counting the days. Include your preferred days of the week and times for the new hearing date. The court will try to accommodate your request, but cannot guarantee a specific date or time.
Page 1 | How to continue or reschedule a court date
Chambers Communication Rules
A party needing a court interpreter should call the Housing Court immediately so that interpreter services can be scheduled.
Interpreter services – If you need an interpreter in court, please call the Housing Court at (612) 348-6000 right away so that an interpreter can be scheduled.
Page 1 | Eviction Information for Tenants