Employees

A former employee of the Minnesota Supreme Court shall not participate in any professional capacity in any case that was pending in the Supreme Court during the employee's tenure at the court, or appear before the court as counsel for a client, in person or in writing, in any case or matter for a period of one year after leaving the employment with the court, except that a former employee of the court in the commissioner's office may not appear for a period of two years after leaving employment with the court. (Added effective April 1, 2011.) Published by the Revisor of Statutes under Minnesota Statutes, section 3C.08, subdivision 1. 131 APPELLATE PROCEDURE MINNESOTA COURT RULES The Minnesota Supreme Court Rules of Decorum Adopted October 15, 1996 With amendments effective February 1, 2026 TEXT OF RULES Rule 1: All lawyers and spectators must comply with the Minnesota Supreme Court Rules of Decorum, as well as with the Minnesota Judicial Branch State Court Administrator's Policy and Procedure 605(g), Rules of Decorum for the Minnesota Judicial Center and the Capitol Supreme Court Courtroom, unless an exception is expressly permitted by the chief justice or presiding justice. Violation of the Minnesota Supreme Court Rules of Decorum may result in removal from the courtroom. Rule 2: The Minnesota Supreme Court Rules of Decorum apply to any location serving as the Minnesota Supreme Court's courtroom. Rule 3: The flags of the United States and the State of Minnesota will be displayed at all times while the court is in session. Rule 4: No food or drink is permitted in the courtroom. Attorneys at counsel table will be provided with water. Rule 5: Wearing hats, caps or other headgear in the courtroom is prohibited, with the exception of head coverings worn for religious or medical reasons. Rule 6: Demonstrating, including displaying signs, banners, slogans, or symbols, is prohibited. Unnecessary conversation, loud whispering, newspaper or magazine reading, or other distracting or disturbing activity or behavior in the courtroom is prohibited while court is in session. Additionally, the use of electronic devices, including cellular phones, in a manner that is audible or otherwise distracting or disturbing to the Court is not allowed. Rule 7: Use of audio, video, or photographic recording equipment, except as permitted by Rule 134.10 of the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure, is prohibited. Rule 8: Children must be under the control and supervision of an adult at all times. Rule 9: Public spectators must be seated in the gallery. All spectators and attorneys must remain seated during arguments except for the attorney presenting. Spectators may leave or enter the court during Published by the Revisor of Statutes under Minnesota Statutes, section 3C.08, subdivision 1. APPELLATE PROCEDURE 132 MINNESOTA COURT RULES times when the attorneys are approaching or leaving the podium, or as otherwise permitted by courtroom security or the court marshal. Rule 10: At the opening of each court day, the court marshal will, by rap of the gavel, direct all present to stand, and clearly and distinctly say: "All rise for the honorable justices of the Supreme Court of the state of Minnesota." Rule 11: It is the duty of courtroom security and the Office of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts to maintain order at all times as attorneys and the public assemble in the courtroom. This duty includes reminding persons of the rules of decorum, admitting persons to the courtroom and directing them to seats, and refusing admittance to the courtroom when the courtroom is filled to its seating capacity. Courtroom security is responsible for removing persons or refusing admittance to the courtroom for distracting or discordant behavior or conduct that is otherwise in violation of the rules of decorum. Rule 12: Lawyers are officers of the court and must at all times uphold the honor and maintain the dignity of the profession, maintaining at all times a respectful attitude toward the court and opposing counsel. Rule 13: Unless otherwise noted in a specific calendar, oral arguments on days assigned begin at 9:00 a.m. All attorneys in all cases are to be present and prepared to argue at 9:00 a.m. They must check in with the court marshal and be prepared to begin whenever they are called. Rule 14: All lawyers and court personnel must wear appropriate business attire to the courtroom. Rule 15: All lawyers accompanied by clients must advise their clients of all of the formalities of the courtroom and courtroom appearances. Published by the Revisor of Statutes under Minnesota Statutes, section 3C.08, subdivision 1. 133 APPELLATE PROCEDURE MINNESOTA COURT RULES Special Rules of Practice for the Minnesota Court of Appeals Effective October 25, 1991 With amendments effective through July 12, 2024 TABLE OF HEADNOTES Introduction Rule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Scheduling Cases Oral Argument Panels Opinions Circulation of Opinions Opinion Issuance Procedures After Decision Motion Procedure Criminal Appeals Recusal of Judges Amicus Briefs Remand from the Supreme Court Full Court Meeting [Renumbered] Form [Deleted effective October 1, 1999] TEXT OF RULES INTRODUCTION These rules are informational for the practitioner and directive for the court. They are complementary to the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure. These rules are subject to change without prior notice. The special rules enable lawyers to understand the mechanics of the Court's procedure, provide a basis for evaluation and improvement of the administration of the Court, and promote public understanding of the judicial deliberative process. (Adopted effective October 25, 1991.)