State of Minnesota v. Jairo Missael Fernandez Sorto

Syllabus

1. A district court's decision whether to allow a support animal to accompany a testifying witness at trial is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. 2. In evaluating whether to allow a support animal to accompany a witness during their trial testimony, a district court may consider (1) the effect and helpfulness of the support animal to aid the testimony of the witness, (2) the risk of prejudice associated with the use of the support animal during the witness's trial testimony, and (3) the ability of the district court to mitigate possible prejudice. Affirmed.