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
Procaccini vs. Walz  
Date: May 10, 2024
 Docket Number: A21-0626

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the legality of the Emergency Management Act (the Act) in Minnesota, which allows the Governor to declare a peacetime emergency in response to a pandemic. The appellants, led by Drake Snell,…

Rygwall vs. ACR Homes, Inc.  
Date: May 10, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-1376

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a wrongful death claim filed by Judith Rygwall, the mother of Amy Rygwall, against ACR Homes, Inc. Amy, a profoundly vulnerable woman with intellectual and physical disabilities, was under the care of…

Martin vs. Simon  
Date: May 10, 2024
 Docket Number: A24-0216

Justia Opinion Summary: The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the Legal Marijuana Now Party (LMNP) does not meet the requirements to be classified as a major political party under Minnesota law. The case was initiated by Ken Martin, the chair…

State of Minnesota vs. Trifiletti  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A21-1101

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Anthony James Trifiletti, who was convicted of second-degree unintentional felony murder. The conviction followed a second trial after the first ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury. During the…

State of Minnesota vs. Maye  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-0316

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the appellant, Said Sharif Maye, who was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder for the death of Idris Yussuf in August 2020. Before the trial, the district court denied Maye’s motion to…

State of Minnesota vs. Mcneilly  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-0468

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the appellant, Said Sharif Maye, who was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder for the death of Idris Yussuf in August 2020. Prior to the trial, the district court denied Maye's motion…

State of Minnesota vs. Letourneau  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-0570

Justia Opinion Summary: Michael Joseph Letourneau was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was already incarcerated for unrelated reasons, which made him subject to the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers…

Demskie vs. U.S. Bank National Association  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-0777

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the beneficiaries of a trust established by John Demskie, the founder of Remote Technologies, Inc. (RTI). The trust's principal asset was John Demskie’s 90 percent ownership interest in RTI.…

State of Minnesota vs. Westrom  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-1679

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Jerry Arnold Westrom, who was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder. The victim, Jeanie Childs, was found stabbed to death in her apartment in 1993. The case…

State of Minnesota vs. Carbo  
Date: May 8, 2024
 Docket Number: A22-1823

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the 1986 murder of Nancy Daugherty. The defendant, Michael Allan Carbo Jr., was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The prosecution's case was based on DNA evidence collected from the…

State of Minnesota vs. Hinckley  
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.…

Williams vs. State of Minnesota  
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…

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…

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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