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Guidebook and Information Sheets

The District of Minnesota has prepared four Guidebooks for litigants who are representing themselves in federal court. Each of the Guidebooks discusses a separate category of litigation. Please check that the Guidebook you are reading applies to your type of case.

The Guidebooks are intended to be an informative and practical resource for understanding the basic procedures of the Court. The statements in the Guidebooks do not constitute legal advice. Do not cite the Guidebooks as legal authority. The Guidebooks do not take the place of the Federal Rules, this Court's Local Rules, or the individual practices of the Judges of this Court. All parties using the Guidebooks remain responsible for complying with all applicable rules of procedure. If there is any conflict between the Guidebooks and the applicable rules, the rules govern.

Section 2241 Guidebook

Section 2254 Guidebook

Section 2255 Guidebook

Pro Se Civil Guidebook

The District of Minnesota has also prepared several Information Sheets that briefly discuss subjects for which the Court most commonly receives questions from unrepresented litigants. Many of these topics discussed in the Information Sheets are also discussed in greater detail in the Guidebooks. Again, the Information Sheets are neither legal advice nor legal authority.

Information Sheet - Electronic Filing of Documents

Information Sheet - In Forma Pauperis Applications

Information Sheet - Responding to a Complaint

Information Sheet - Service of Process

Finally, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has prepared the Guidebook “Understanding the Federal Courts,” which describes more broadly the role and structure of the federal judiciary.

Understanding the Federal Courts