Whenever the testimony of a witness at a trial or hearing which was stenographically reported is admissible in evidence at a later trial, it may be proved by a reading of the transcript thereof duly certified by the person who reported the testimony. Such evidence is rebuttable and not conclusive.
Rule 80.Stenographic Report or Transcript as Evidence
Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 80 allows a certified transcript of a witness’s earlier stenographically reported testimony to be read into evidence at a later trial when that testimony is otherwise admissible.
Full Text of Rule 80
Plain-English Summary
Rule 80 addresses a narrow evidentiary situation: what happens when testimony a witness gave at an earlier trial or hearing, and which was taken down by a court reporter, needs to be used again at a later trial. As long as that testimony is admissible at the later trial, the rule allows it to be proven by reading from a transcript that has been duly certified by the person who reported it. The rule notes that this evidence can be contradicted or challenged; it is not treated as automatically conclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a certified transcript from an earlier hearing be read into evidence at a new trial?
Yes, Rule 80 allows this as long as the earlier testimony is otherwise admissible at the later trial and the transcript is duly certified by the person who reported it.
Is testimony read from a certified transcript treated as automatically true?
No. Rule 80 specifically says this evidence is rebuttable and not conclusive.
Source & verification. The rule text and Advisory Committee Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
official Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure (Minn. R. Civ. P. 80). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 480.051). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: transcript as evidence