Minnesota Statutes 484.72 – Electronic Recording of Court Proceedings
Subdivision 1.Authorization.
Except as provided in subdivision 4, electronic recording equipment may be used to record court proceedings in lieu of a court reporter. However, at the request of any party to any proceedings, the court may, in its discretion, require a competent stenographer who meets minimum qualifications promulgated by the supreme court, to make a complete stenographic record of the proceedings.
Subd. 2.Appointment of operator, costs and payment.
Attorney's Note
Under the Minnesota Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
Class Prison Fine Gross misdemeanor up to 1 year up to $3,000
For details, see § 609.02
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 484.72
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- court administrator: means the court administrator of the court in which the action or proceeding is pending, and "court administrator's office" means that court administrator's office. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Mistrial: An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.
- Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
Attorney's Note
Under the Minnesota Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Gross misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $3,000 |
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 484.72
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- court administrator: means the court administrator of the court in which the action or proceeding is pending, and "court administrator's office" means that court administrator's office. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Mistrial: An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.
- Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
The court shall have the authority to appoint a person or persons to operate and monitor electronic recording equipment. The person or persons may be paid on a salary basis, on a contract basis, or such other basis as the court deems appropriate.
Subd. 3.Specification for electronic recording equipment; qualifications for operator.
For the purpose of this section the state court administrator shall promulgate specifications for acceptable electronic recording equipment used to record court proceedings and minimum qualifications for the persons who operate and monitor the equipment.
Subd. 4.Limitations on use of electronic recording equipment.
A competent stenographer who meets minimum qualifications promulgated by the supreme court, shall make a complete stenographic record of the following court proceedings:
(1) Felony and gross misdemeanor offenses, except arraignments and first appearance in district court as specified in rule 8 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(2) District court jury trials.
(3) Contested district court trials and fact-finding hearings. Where required by statute or court rule, electronic recording equipment may be used in addition to the services of a competent stenographer.
Subd. 5.Malfunction of electronic recording.
If, when electronic recording equipment is used, a malfunction occurs in the recording process so that the recording is incomplete, the court may declare a mistrial if the malfunction is discovered during the trial. If the malfunction is discovered in the course of preparing a transcript after a verdict has been entered, the court may grant a new trial upon motion of any party.
Subd. 6.Expedited child support process.
Notwithstanding subdivisions 1 and 4, hearings and proceedings conducted in the expedited child support process under section 484.702 may be reported by use of electronic recording equipment provided that the equipment meets the minimum standards promulgated by the state court administrator. Electronic recording equipment must be operated and monitored by a person who meets the minimum qualifications promulgated by the state court administrator.