As of Jan. 1, 2025, the Minnesota Judicial Branch will require all hearing and trial evidence be uploaded into the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System.

Kim Pleticha, public affairs director with MJB, said the change is in response to an increase in remote hearings.

“For the past three years, though, MNDES has been a pilot program, so its use was optional,” she said. “Now, as of January first, MNDES becomes mandatory for all cases statewide, so that means remote and in person.”

She said the change will streamline court proceedings.

“Everyone involved in the case, from the parties to the attorneys to the judges to the jury, will all have secured digital access to any exhibits uploaded in the case,” Pleticha said.

Formats that can be uploaded to MNDES include audio, video, images and documents. While not directly accessible to the public, judges and juries can view the information during court and jury deliberations.

“Over the past three years, we have found that MNDES provides a secure and consistent means for people to manage hearing and trial exhibits,” Minnesota Chief Justice Natalie Hudson said on the MJB’s website. “Just as we modernized electronic court filings, MNDES modernizes how we manage evidence in hearings.”