Minnesota Case Commentaries

STATE v. VANG (847 N.W.2d 248): Defining 'Drive-by Shooting' in Felony Murder and Affirming Jurisdiction Over Juvenile Offenders Post-Age 21

Date: May 8, 2014

STATE v. VANG (847 N.W.2d 248): Defining 'Drive-by Shooting' in Felony Murder and Affirming Jurisdiction Over Juvenile Offenders Post-Age 21 Introduction State of Minnesota v. Jerry Vang is a...

Extending Orders for Protection: Minnesota Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling in Bergstrom v. Rew

Date: May 1, 2014

Extending Orders for Protection: Minnesota Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling in Bergstrom v. Rew Introduction The Minnesota Supreme Court's decision in Bergstrom v. Rew, 845 N.W.2d 764 (2014), marks a...

Impact of Jury Instruction Omissions on Substantial Rights: Analyzing State v. Watkins

Date: Dec 5, 2013

Impact of Jury Instruction Omissions on Substantial Rights: Analyzing State v. Watkins Introduction The case of State of Minnesota v. George Cornelius Watkins addresses a critical issue in criminal...

Affirmation of First-Degree Murder Conviction and Public Trial Rights in STATE v. Silvernail

Date: Jun 1, 2013

Affirmation of First-Degree Murder Conviction and Public Trial Rights in STATE v. Silvernail Introduction STATE of Minnesota v. Jeffrey Allen Silvernail (831 N.W.2d 594) is a landmark decision by the...

State v. Joel Marvin Munt: Juror Impartiality in Mental Illness Defenses

Date: Jun 1, 2013

State v. Joel Marvin Munt: Juror Impartiality in Mental Illness Defenses Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota Date: May 31, 2013 Citation: 831 N.W.2d 569 Introduction In the landmark case of State of...

Carbon Monoxide Classified as a Pollutant under Absolute Pollution Exclusion: Midwest Family Mutual Insurance Co. v. Wolters

Date: Jun 1, 2013

Carbon Monoxide Classified as a Pollutant under Absolute Pollution Exclusion: Midwest Family Mutual Insurance Co. v. Wolters Introduction The case of Midwest Family Mutual Insurance Company v....

State v. Nicks: Minnesota Supreme Court Sets Comprehensive Standards for Evidentiary Hearings in Ineffective Assistance Claims

Date: Jun 1, 2013

State v. Nicks: Minnesota Supreme Court Sets Comprehensive Standards for Evidentiary Hearings in Ineffective Assistance Claims Introduction In the landmark case of State of Minnesota v. Nidjia Dean...

Recognition of Parentage as a Proceeding for Grandparent Visitation Rights under Minn.Stat. §257C.08

Date: Jun 1, 2013

Recognition of Parentage as a Proceeding for Grandparent Visitation Rights under Minn.Stat. §257C.08 Introduction The case of Joane M. Christianson v. Travis Henke, decided by the Supreme Court of...

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Standards for Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claims Under MHRA

Date: May 23, 2013

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Standards for Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claims Under MHRA Introduction In the landmark case of Jaime Rasmussen, et al. v. Two Harbors Fish Company...

Andersen v. State of Minnesota: Affirmation of Summary Denial Under Knaffla Rule

Date: May 3, 2013

Andersen v. State of Minnesota: Affirmation of Summary Denial Under Knaffla Rule Introduction In Andersen v. State of Minnesota, 830 N.W.2d 1 (Minn. 2013), the Minnesota Supreme Court addressed the...

Minn. Supreme Court Clarifies 'Drive-By Shooting' Definition in Felony Murder Doctrine

Date: Feb 28, 2013

Minn. Supreme Court Clarifies 'Drive-By Shooting' Definition in Felony Murder Doctrine Introduction The case of STATE of Minnesota v. Christopher James Hayes (826 N.W.2d 799) addressed pivotal issues...

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Additional Insured Coverage and Indemnification Obligations in Construction Contracts

Date: Jan 24, 2013

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Additional Insured Coverage and Indemnification Obligations in Construction Contracts Introduction In the landmark case of Engineering & Construction Innovations,...

Procedural Due Process in Municipal Animal Control: Analysis of Mitchell SAWH v. CITY OF LINO LAKES

Date: Dec 20, 2012

Procedural Due Process in Municipal Animal Control: Analysis of Mitchell SAWH v. CITY OF LINO LAKES Introduction The case of Mitchell SAWH v. CITY OF LINO LAKES, adjudicated by the Supreme Court of...

Timeliness of Postconviction Relief Motions for Withdrawing Guilty Pleas: Lussier v. State

Date: Oct 11, 2012

Timeliness of Postconviction Relief Motions for Withdrawing Guilty Pleas: Lussier v. State Introduction Lussier v. State, 821 N.W.2d 581 (Minn. 2012), is a pivotal case adjudicated by the Supreme...

State v. Hokanson: Upholding Strict Standards for Alternative Perpetrator Evidence and In Camera Review in Malicious Child Abuse Homicide Cases

Date: Oct 4, 2012

State v. Hokanson: Upholding Strict Standards for Alternative Perpetrator Evidence and In Camera Review in Malicious Child Abuse Homicide Cases Introduction State of Minnesota v. Tylar James Hokanson...

Third-Party Beneficiary Rights in Employment Contracts: Comprehensive Analysis of Caldas v. Affordable Granite & Stone, Inc.

Date: Sep 27, 2012

Third-Party Beneficiary Rights in Employment Contracts: Comprehensive Analysis of Caldas v. Affordable Granite & Stone, Inc. Introduction The Supreme Court of Minnesota, in the landmark case of Oscar...

Admittance of Custodial Statements and Harmless Error in STATE v. Davis

Date: Sep 20, 2012

Admittance of Custodial Statements and Harmless Error in STATE of Minnesota v. Jerome Emmanuel Davis Introduction In the case of STATE of Minnesota v. Jerome Emmanuel Davis, the Supreme Court of...

Clarifying Plain-View Doctrine in Multifamily Residences: State v. Milton

Date: Sep 20, 2012

Clarifying Plain-View Doctrine in Multifamily Residences: State v. Milton Introduction State of Minnesota v. Javaris Eugene Milton (821 N.W.2d 789, Supreme Court of Minnesota, 2012) is a significant...

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Double Convictions for Major and Lesser-Included Offenses

Date: Sep 20, 2012

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Double Convictions for Major and Lesser-Included Offenses Introduction In State of Minnesota v. Brandon Dominic Cox, 820 N.W.2d 540 (Minn. 2012), the Minnesota...

Establishing Evidentiary Hearing Standards for Newly Discovered Evidence in Postconviction Relief: Insights from De–Aunteze Lavion Bobo v. STATE of Minnesota

Date: Sep 20, 2012

Establishing Evidentiary Hearing Standards for Newly Discovered Evidence in Postconviction Relief: Insights from De–Aunteze Lavion Bobo v. STATE of Minnesota Introduction The case of De–Aunteze...