An alibi is a form of evidence used to defend against a criminal charge by demonstrating that the accused was somewhere other than the scene of the crime when the crime was committed.

In Minnesota, as in other jurisdictions, an alibi is a defense strategy used in criminal proceedings where the defendant aims to prove they were in a different location at the time the alleged crime was committed, and therefore could not have been involved in the crime. The rules governing the use of alibi defenses in Minnesota are similar to those in other states, requiring that the defendant notify the prosecution of their intent to use an alibi defense. According to Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 9.02, the defendant must provide an alibi notice to the prosecution if they intend to use an alibi, which includes specific information about the place where the defendant claims to have been at the time of the alleged offense, as well as the names and addresses of witnesses who will testify to the alibi. This notice must be given within a reasonable time before trial, allowing the prosecution to investigate the validity of the alibi. Failure to provide timely notice can result in the exclusion of the alibi evidence at trial. The prosecution is also required to respond with any information that refutes the defendant's alibi. The burden of proof remains on the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but a well-substantiated alibi can be a powerful tool in the defendant's case.