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Safely Reopening Court Facilities

Information about jury service »

District and appellate courts are undertaking a thorough and gradual approach to increasing the number and type of in-person activities held in court facilities as the pandemic’s impact on Minnesota continues to recede. The courts will continue to follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of court interactions.

Symptoms & Contact

Do not visit any court facility if you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus or if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days. If you are required to visit a court facility but have symptoms or have had exposure in the last 14 days, contact the county court or your attorney as soon as possible.  
 

Distancing

Distancing measures should be considered among people while in court facilities to the extent possible. 
 

Face Coverings

Face coverings are required in courthouses. Individuals should talk to court staff immediately upon entry if they do not have access to a face covering or have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing one. Face coverings will be provided to individuals who do not have access to one. Judges may direct people to remove face coverings as necessary to conduct court hearings.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Shared spaces should be cleaned once a day, with priority given to high-touch surfaces. Additional cleaning and disinfecting measures will be implemented if someone in the court facility has tested positive for COVID-19 with the last 24 hours.

Exposure Notification Protocols

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is following notification protocols based on guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The courts will notify all individuals who were in close contact in a court facility with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.
Court facilities are owned and operated by county leadership, not the courts. Therefore, local requirements for entry may vary.

Select the county you are visiting to learn more about local expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic for courthouse entry.

Select a County:

For information about Aitkin County’s local requirements for courthouse entry, please visit the Aitkin COVID-19 webpage. If you have questions about visiting the courthouse please contact the court via email or phone (218) 927-7350.

Public Service Counter

The public service counter is open Monday – Friday, excluding holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.


Appellate Filings

Appellate filings continue to be accepted via e-filing through the E-MACS system and by U.S. Mail at:
Office of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts
305 Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155.    
 

By Phone

Telephone inquiries are answered Monday - Friday, excluding holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Voicemail is available afterhours and when all staff members are assisting other callers.

For additional information please visit the Office of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts web page.