The judges of each judicial district must adopt and administer rules or procedures to ensure that, on and after July 1, 1997, the following timing objectives for the disposition of criminal cases are met by judges within the district:

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Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 631.021

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.

(1) 90 percent of all criminal cases must be disposed of within 120 days;

(2) 97 percent of all criminal cases must be disposed of within 180 days; and

(3) 99 percent of all criminal cases must be disposed of within 365 days.

The time periods referred to in clauses (1) to (3) must be measured from the date the criminal complaint is filed, to the date the defendant is either found not guilty or is sentenced. If the criminal case begins by indictment rather than by criminal complaint, the time period must be measured from the date the indictment is returned.