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: 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…
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…
Date: February 28, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0654
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a juvenile, D.J.F.-D., who was charged with a gross misdemeanor offense. The juvenile court found D.J.F.-D. incompetent to proceed and suspended the proceedings against him for one year. During this…
Date: February 28, 2024
Docket Number: A22-1277
Justia Opinion Summary: This case revolves around the appellant, Sheldon James Thompson, who was convicted for the brutal murders of his girlfriend, her 20-month-old son, and her unborn child. Thompson was convicted by a jury for eight…
Date: February 21, 2024
Docket Number: A22-1340
Justia Opinion Summary: The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the convictions of Gregory Paul Ulrich for first-degree premeditated murder, attempted first-degree premeditated murder, and discharge of an explosive or incendiary device. Ulrich had…
Date: February 21, 2024
Docket Number: A23-1100
Justia Opinion Summary: In Minnesota, the defendant, Otha Eric Townsend, who was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, appealed the denial of his third motion to correct his sentence. The two crimes were tried…
Date: February 14, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0630
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the interpretation of the term "resources" as used in the criminal restitution statute, Minnesota Statutes section 611A.045, subdivision 1(a)(2). Specifically, the case examines whether the…
Date: February 7, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0318
Justia Opinion Summary: In 2020, Jaye William Snyder was charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct following an assault on an impaired victim. Snyder was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was given a…
Date: February 7, 2024
Docket Number: A22-0906
Justia Opinion Summary: In Minnesota, a district court removed Brian Lipschultz as a trustee from the Otto Bremer Trust. This decision was based on his violation of Minnesota Statutes section 501C.0706(b)(1), which allows for the removal of a…
Date: February 7, 2024
Docket Number: A23-0915
Justia Opinion Summary: In July 1998, Ronald Lewis Greer was implicated in the murder of Kareem Brown by at least five witnesses. He was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. Greer claimed he was…
Date: February 7, 2024
Docket Number: A23-1354
Justia Opinion Summary: In Minnesota, a group of voters sought to prevent former President Donald Trump from appearing on the 2024 presidential primary and general election ballots, arguing that Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S.…
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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