Opinion ID: 2065993
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Witness Travel Fees

Text: The trial court imposed costs for transporting witnesses to the second trial. [6] Lopez-Solis contends that the language of section 357.22 limits the award of travel fees to mileage incurred within the state. In the context of a civil case, we have held that [t]his statute clearly does not authorize the payment of travel expense to a nonresident witness for travel outside the state of Minnesota. In re Miller's Estate, 242 Minn. 29, 32, 64 N.W.2d 1, 3 (1954). While the legislature has afforded trial courts discretion in awarding expert witness fees and costs, no such provision exists for lay witnesses. Furthermore, the prosecution costs statute is silent regarding witness travel fees. We will not read such language into the statute. Therefore, the trial court's award of $1,289.30 is reversed.