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.

Browse Opinions From the Minnesota Supreme Court
Recent Decisions From the Minnesota Supreme Court
Edbert Neal Williams, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent
Date: April 24, 2024
 Docket Number: A23-0851
Tea vs. Ramsey County  
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…

Nash v. Commissioner of Public Safety  
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…

State vs. Jones  
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…

Stone, vs. Invitation Homes, Inc.  
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…

Alliance Housing Incorporated vs. County of Hennepin  
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…

State of Minnesota vs. Bradley  
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.…

Tichich vs. State of Minnesota  
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…

State of Minnesota vs Wiggins  
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),…

State of Minnesota vs. Glover  
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…

State vs. Lehman  
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…

Kaiser vs. State  
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…

State of Minnesota vs. Vanengen  
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…

Anoka County, Minnesota vs. Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.  
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…

State of Minnesota vs. Malecha  
Date: March 6, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-1314

Justia Opinion Summary: In Minnesota, a defendant, Rebecca Julie Malecha, was arrested on a warrant that had been quashed but was still appearing as active in law enforcement databases due to a clerical error by court administration. During the…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

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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