Judge
Ramsey County
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Contact with Chambers
• Preferred method to contact chambers: Law clerk.
• To whom may attorneys direct scheduling/logistical questions? Law clerk.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for scheduling motion hearings. Depending on the nature of the motion please contact my law clerk or court administration to schedule motion hearings.
• Identify any type of motion for which you do not require a hearing. [Did not respond]
• Do you accept telephone calls from attorneys to rule on discovery disputes that occur during depositions? Yes, but not repeated calls.
• How much time do you allot for motion hearings? Motion hearings are scheduled for 1/2 to 1 hour time blocks. However, the court allows attorneys as much time as needed to argue their motion.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attending a hearing by telephone or video conference. The Court will consider telephone and video conference on a case-by-case basis. For Zoom hearings parties should observe the Court’s rules, practices, and etiquette as if they are appearing before the Court physically in the courthouse.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to discovery motions. Discovery should be complete prior to the trial. All issues surrounding discovery should be the subject of a motion in limine. Prior to raising the issue with the Court parties are required to meet and confer.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to stipulations of the parties, including stipulations for protective orders. Agreed upon stipulations should presented to the court. All issues surrounding should be the addressed in a motion in limine.
• Do you have any particular requests or procedures relating to requests to amend the scheduling order? The Court will not generally amend a scheduling order unless you contact the court with a sufficient basis in accordance with the process outlined in the scheduling order.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to default proceedings. Be prepared to demonstrate proper notice and present a sufficient case if requesting to proceed by default.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling emergency motions. Follow all applicable rules, contact law clerk for scheduling and for conferences.
• If your preferences for motion hearings by remote means differ from any of your earlier answers, please describe your preferences for remote video conference hearings. [Did not answer]
• Do you want to receive paper courtesy copies of the parties' written submissions? If you do, set forth the number of courtesy copies and identify any document type you do not want to receive. Please e-mail a courtesy copy of written submissions to 2ndjudgeharrischambers@courts.state.mn.us. Courtesy copies of written submissions are appreciated. Word or PDF versions are acceptable.
• Set forth your preferences for handling informal requests for relief using the expedited, informal non-dispositive motion process set forth in Minn. Gen. R. practice 115.04(d). Generally, not approved. However, the court will consider any request made in writing and in advance.
Pre-Trial Procedures
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the submissions of additional legal authority or other materials at or after oral arguments. Use and familiarity with court technology is very helpful. Attorney's are encouraged to test the court technology prior to trial and the court will accommodate any request of that nature.
• Describe your preferred procedures for pretrial settlement conferences, including the timing of such conferences, persons who must attend, whether persons may attend by telephone or video conference, and how you participate in settlement discussions. All necessary parties are expected to participate in the settlement conference. If the conference takes place at the Courthouse, please keep my chambers informed of progress so that I can be available if the parties would like to go on the record to memorialize any agreements.
• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format. Use of computer and other technology is encouraged.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney’s use of technology in the courtroom and during trial. Use of computer and other technology is encouraged.
• Do you permit parties to bifurcate oral argument so different attorneys address different legal issues? Yes.
In-Person Trials
• Are you willing to provide a date certain for trial? Yes.
• Set forth your practices and procedures for handling motions in limine. The parties should meet and confer and determine which if any motions, they mutually agree. The court should be informed of the agreement. All other arguments occur at a motion hearing.
• What is your schedule for a typical trial day? Begin at 9, mid-morning break, lunch-break from 12pm to 1 or 1:30pm depending on trial, mid-afternoon break, break for evening 4:30 to 5:00pm depending on trial.
• Set forth your voir dire procedures. The court begins by asking individual questions followed by group questions. Each party may ask further questions. With regard to voirdire, Judge Harris asks that counsel does not duplicate the court’s voirdire, and to follow the rules and the law. Do not try your case. He asks counsel to economize and be proportional. He requests counsel be respectful of the jurors.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to courtroom decorum, including movement in the courtroom, use of a podium, whether attorneys should sit or stand, and how to address witnesses. The parties should adhere to the Rules of Decorum. The parties should stand when addressing the court (unless told otherwise), the parties should ask permission before approaching, and the witnesses should be referred to by last name and title.
• Do you impose time limits with respect to opening statements and closing arguments? No, unless specifically addressed in motion in limine.
• Identify what technology you use in the courtroom and state whether you prefer a particular electronic format. I encourage the use of technology at trial.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney’s use of technology in the courtroom. The attorneys should consult and agree to exhibit range, and pre-mark exhibits with court reporter to the extent possible.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to marking and using exhibits. The attorneys should consult and agree to exhibit range, and pre-mark exhibits with court reporter to the extent possible.
• For exhibits uploaded to the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES), set forth your preferences regarding naming conventions for files uploaded to the system. [No answer provided]
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to handling objections. State simply the evidentiary rule or doctrine upon which the objection is based. I may ask counsel to approach if I need further information. NO SPEAKING OBJECTIONS.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to the use of deposition testimony. Deposition testimony should be discussed with court prior to hearing or trial.
• May attorneys obtain daily transcripts during trial? If so, what procedure should attorneys follow? Discuss with court reporter prior to hearing.
• Set forth your practices and procedures with respect to attorney requests to contact jurors at the conclusion of trial. After the conclusion the parties are free to speak with jurors, unless otherwise instructed.
• Set forth any other preferences, practices, or procedures attorneys and parties may find helpful. The mission of the Minnesota Courts is to provide justice through a system that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies. In service of this mission, Judge Harris is committed to providing an inclusive, bias-free environment. All who enter the courtroom must be treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism at all times. Judge Harris’ courtroom is a place where court users, attorneys, and court employees can all expect to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and other aspects of background and identity.
• If your practice differs for trials by remote means, please describe the differences.