Minnesota Conciliation Court Evidence: What to Bring and When

Minnesota conciliation court hearings are informal — no jury, no complex procedural rules, and the judge or referee runs the show. But "informal" doesn't mean "anything goes" when it comes to evidence. How you organize and present your documents can make the difference between a clear case and a confusing one.

Copies for the Hearing

Bring the original documents plus two full paper copies of each item:

1. Keep the original to reference during your presentation
2. Give one copy to the presiding judge or referee
3. Give one copy to the opposing party

This applies to contracts, invoices, receipts, photos, email printouts, text message screenshots, repair estimates, and written timelines.

Submitting Exhibits for Remote Hearings

Remote hearings are common in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Exhibit deadlines and methods can be county-specific; follow the instructions in your hearing notice or contact Court Administration to confirm how and when to submit exhibits and share them with the opposing party.

For in-person hearings, bring the original documents and two copies unless the court gives you different instructions.

What Counts as Evidence

Conciliation Court hearings are informal, but claims and defenses must be supported by competent evidence. Bring relevant evidence in an organized form.

Documents to bring:

• Written contracts or agreements (the original if possible)
• Invoices, receipts, and payment records
• Bank statements or cancelled checks showing payments made
• Written estimates or repair quotes from third parties
• Correspondence — emails, text messages, letters — between you and the other party

Photos and digital evidence:

• Print all photos. Most judges will not scroll through your phone or plug in a flash drive
• Print text message threads with timestamps visible
• Print relevant social media posts or messages
• If video is essential, ask Court Administration in advance about playback options

Witness testimony:

• Witnesses who can speak to facts firsthand (what they saw, heard, or did) are the strongest
• If a witness won't come voluntarily, you can request a subpoena from Court Administration under Rule 512 — $16 per name plus a $20/day witness fee and $0.28 per mile for round-trip mileage

How to Organize Your Evidence

Label your documents as exhibits before the hearing — Defendant's Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and so on. Place them in chronological order or group them by topic.

A simple approach that works:

• Exhibit A: The contract or agreement (or absence of one)
• Exhibit B: Payment records — what you paid, when, and how
• Exhibit C: Correspondence showing the dispute developing
• Exhibit D: Photos documenting the condition of property, work done, or damage
• Exhibit E: Third-party estimates, inspection reports, or expert opinions

Put each exhibit in its own section with a labeled divider or tab. Provide copies as directed by Court Administration or the referee, and reference exhibits by letter during your presentation: "As you can see in Exhibit C, the email dated March 15 shows..."

What to Leave Out

Don't bring irrelevant character evidence, unrelated disputes, or documents that don't directly support your case. More isn't always better. A tightly organized set of five relevant exhibits is more persuasive than a box of 50 loosely related papers.

Bring the original documents plus two full paper copies. If an original is one-of-a-kind, keep a copy for your records and ask the referee whether it will be returned after the hearing.

Evidence for Specific Dispute Types

Contractor disputes: Bring the written contract (or evidence there was no written contract), photos of the work in question, any change orders, payment records, a third-party inspection report or estimate to repair defective work, and all communication between you and the other party.

Security deposit disputes: Bring the lease agreement, the move-in and move-out condition reports, photos at move-in and move-out, the landlord's itemized deduction statement (or evidence it was never sent within the 21-day deadline under Minn. Stat. § 504B.178), and receipts for any cleaning or repairs you did.

Car sale disputes: Bring the bill of sale (especially any "as-is" language), any written disclosures about the vehicle's condition, pre-sale communications, a mechanic's inspection report, and records of repair costs incurred.

Putting It Together

Your evidence is your case. The referee wasn't there when the dispute happened — they're relying entirely on what you present at the hearing. Clear labels, logical order, and complete copies demonstrate that you take the process seriously.

Our Minnesota small claims response guide includes printable exhibit cover sheets, evidence organization checklists, and a timeline builder to help you walk into the hearing ready.

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