Minnesota Supreme Court Decisions
The Minnesota Supreme Court holds its sessions in a chamber in the Minnesota State Capitol or in the Minnesota Judicial Center. In addition to reviewing decisions in the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court may review decisions in the Minnesota Tax Court and the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also holds jurisdiction over appeals from the Lawyers’ Professional Responsibility Board and the Board of Judicial Standards. The Court will hear a direct appeal from a trial court only in cases involving first-degree murder or challenges to elections.
Under the Minnesota Constitution, the justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court must be “learned in the law.” No other specific requirements apply. Seven justices serve on the Court, and their terms last for six years. The process of selecting justices involves non-partisan elections. This means that the candidates are not labeled on the ballot according to their affiliation with any political party. If a vacancy arises on the Court, the Governor of Minnesota holds the authority to appoint a replacement justice to fill the seat. A non-partisan election also determines the position of the Chief Justice, who similarly holds that position for six years.
Justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court and other courts in the state must follow the four canons in the Minnesota Code of Judicial Conduct, as well as the sub-rules in each canon. If a justice engages in misconduct, they may face removal through an impeachment proceeding. This requires a majority vote by the Minnesota House of Representatives and a two-thirds vote by the Minnesota Senate. In other cases, the Supreme Court may remove or otherwise discipline a justice upon a recommendation by the Board on Judicial Standards. Justices also may be subject to recall elections.
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Recent Decisions From the Minnesota Supreme Court
Date: May 1, 2024
Docket Number: A22-1206
Justia Opinion Summary: Tyson Joe Hinckley was convicted of first-degree arson, second-degree burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle. Hinckley had stolen a vehicle from a garage and started a fire that damaged the garage and an adjacent home.…
Date: April 24, 2024
Docket Number: A23-0851
Justia Opinion Summary: Edbert Neal Williams was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder in the death of Genelda Campeau and the attack on her adult granddaughter, S.C. Williams was sentenced to life in prison for…
Date: April 17, 2024
Docket Number: A23-1207
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around a social worker, Janine Tea, who claimed to have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to her exposure to the details of a murder committed by one of her clients. The county…
Date: April 10, 2024
Docket Number: A22-1238
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the interpretation of Minnesota Statutes section 171.177, subdivision 1, which requires law enforcement officers to inform individuals suspected of driving under the influence that refusal to…
Date: April 3, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0172
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves the defendant, David Darnell Jones, Jr., who was convicted of second-degree assault after threatening to beat a victim, A.M., while holding a wooden board. The board was approximately 2 inches by 3…
Date: April 3, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0928
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around Lisa Stone, a tenant who signed a lease agreement that required her to provide maintenance services for which she alleges she was not compensated, in violation of Minnesota law. She initiated a…
Date: March 27, 2024
Docket Number: A23-0737
Justia Opinion Summary: This case involves Alliance Housing Incorporated and North Penn Supportive Housing LLC, collectively known as Alliance, Minnesota nonprofits operating to create, own, and operate affordable housing for low and very…
Date: March 20, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0960
Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court of Minnesota affirmed the conviction of John Ishmael Bradley, III, who was charged with second-degree assault and felony domestic assault for striking his girlfriend over the head with a broom handle.…
Date: March 20, 2024
Docket Number: A22-1063
Justia Opinion Summary: In a case before the Supreme Court of Minnesota, the appellant, Thomas Robert Tichich, was found guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Tichich later petitioned…
Date: March 20, 2024
Docket Number: A22-1281
Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the appellant, Lyndon Akeem Wiggins, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder, attempted first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree intentional murder while committing a felony (kidnapping),…
Date: March 20, 2024
Docket Number: A23-0154
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around a murder conviction. On February 23, 2021, a bar shooting resulted in the death of Raymond Renteria-Hobbs and injury to another victim, M.P. Police identified Andrew Vernard Glover as the suspect…
Date: March 13, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0200
Justia Opinion Summary: The case in question involves Dale Edward Lehman, Jr., who was convicted for knowingly permitting a minor to ingest methamphetamine, a violation of Minnesota Statute § 152.137, subd. 2(b) (2022). Lehman appealed, arguing…
Date: March 13, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0749
Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court of Minnesota reviewed a case in which Robert John Kaiser had been convicted of second-degree felony murder for the death of his infant son. Kaiser sought postconviction relief, arguing that two expert…
Date: March 6, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0105
Justia Opinion Summary: The State of Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals that the District Court did not abuse its discretion when it ordered an upward durational sentencing departure for third-degree criminal…
Date: March 6, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0911
Justia Opinion Summary: In the case before the Supreme Court of Minnesota, clerical and technical employees of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, represented by the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (the Union), submitted a petition to the…
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
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