Legal Definitions - minute entry

A minute entry is a brief, official record made by a court clerk documenting the key events and actions that occurred during a court proceeding, such as a hearing, conference, or trial day. It serves as a concise summary of what transpired, including who was present, what motions were made, what rulings the judge issued, and any future dates or orders set by the court. It is not a full transcript of everything said, but rather a summary of the official court business conducted.

Here are some examples to illustrate:

• Example 1: Criminal Arraignment

  During an arraignment for a defendant accused of theft, the court clerk creates a minute entry. This entry would record that the defendant appeared with their attorney, that the judge formally read the charges, that the defendant entered a plea of "not guilty," and that the judge set bail at a specific amount and scheduled the next court date for a preliminary hearing. This minute entry provides an official, concise record of the critical actions taken during that specific court session.

• Example 2: Civil Motion Hearing

  In a civil lawsuit concerning a contract dispute, the parties attend a hearing on a "motion for summary judgment." The court clerk's minute entry for this hearing would note which attorneys were present for each side, that the judge heard arguments from both parties, and ultimately, that the judge denied the motion for summary judgment, thereby allowing the case to proceed to trial. The minute entry confirms the judge's decision and the continuation of the legal process.

• Example 3: Family Law Status Conference

  In a divorce case, the parties and their attorneys attend a status conference to discuss the progress of their settlement negotiations. The minute entry for this conference might state that both parties and their counsel appeared, that they reported reaching a partial agreement on child custody but still needed to resolve property division, and that the judge ordered them to attend mediation within 60 days. This entry officially documents the status of the case and the court's directives for moving forward.