Minnesota Case Commentaries

Admissibility of Prior Inconsistent Statements and Burden of Proof in Duress Claims: A Comprehensive Analysis of State v. Caine

Date: Mar 28, 2008

Admissibility of Prior Inconsistent Statements and Burden of Proof in Duress Claims: A Comprehensive Analysis of State v. Caine Introduction The landmark case of State v. Tony M. Caine (746 N.W.2d...

State v. Holliday: Affirming Premeditation Standards and Confrontation Clause Protections under Minnesota Law

Date: Mar 7, 2008

State v. Holliday: Affirming Premeditation Standards and Confrontation Clause Protections under Minnesota Law Introduction In the landmark case of State of Minnesota v. Derrick Holliday, reported at...

Termination of Parental Rights Under Minn.Stat § 260C.301: A Comprehensive Analysis of In the Matter of the Welfare of the Children of S.E.P. and J.W.P.

Date: Feb 15, 2008

Termination of Parental Rights Under Minn.Stat § 260C.301: A Comprehensive Analysis of In the Matter of the Welfare of the Children of S.E.P. and J.W.P. Introduction The case of In the Matter of the...

Establishing Reasonable Suspicion for Investigatory Vehicle Stops Based on Reliable Informant Tips: STATE of Minnesota v. Timberlake

Date: Feb 15, 2008

Establishing Reasonable Suspicion for Investigatory Vehicle Stops Based on Reliable Informant Tips: STATE of Minnesota v. Timberlake Introduction The case of STATE of Minnesota v. Timberlake, decided...

Clarifying De Facto Taking and Limitations under the Minnesota Torrens System: Hebert v. City of Fifty Lakes

Date: Jan 18, 2008

Clarifying De Facto Taking and Limitations under the Minnesota Torrens System: Hebert v. City of Fifty Lakes Introduction Hebert v. City of Fifty Lakes, 744 N.W.2d 226 (Minn. 2008), adjudicated by...

Duty to Protect Child Invitees: Minnesota Supreme Court Establishes Precedent in BJERKE v. JOHNSON

Date: Dec 28, 2007

Duty to Protect Child Invitees: Minnesota Supreme Court Establishes Precedent in BJERKE v. JOHNSON Introduction The case of Aja Bjerke v. Suzette E. Johnson, Kenneth D. Bohlman, reported at 742...

Validity of Alford Pleas: State v. Joel Da Establishes Rigorous Standards

Date: Dec 28, 2007

Validity of Alford Pleas: State v. Joel Da Establishes Rigorous Standards Introduction State of Minnesota v. Joel David Theis, 742 N.W.2d 643 (Mn. 2007), is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court...

Strict Enforcement of Statutory Requirements for Nighttime Search Warrants in STATE v. Jackson

Date: Dec 7, 2007

Strict Enforcement of Statutory Requirements for Nighttime Search Warrants in STATE of Minnesota v. Jackson Introduction STATE of Minnesota v. Susan Ranae Jackson, 742 N.W.2d 163 (2007), is a...

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Employer's Contractual Right to Withhold Earned Paid Time Off Upon Termination for Misconduct

Date: Nov 16, 2007

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Employer's Contractual Right to Withhold Earned Paid Time Off Upon Termination for Misconduct Introduction The case of Susan LEE v. FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE, INC. (741...

Voluntariness of Confessions and Plea Withdrawal: Insights from State v. Farnsworth

Date: Sep 14, 2007

Voluntariness of Confessions and Plea Withdrawal: Insights from State v. Farnsworth Introduction The Supreme Court of Minnesota's decision in State v. Justin Paul Farnsworth, 738 N.W.2d 364 (2007),...

Affirmation of Conviction in State v. James Clinton Wren: Implications for Anonymous Juries, Batson Challenges, and Prosecutorial Conduct

Date: Sep 14, 2007

Affirmation of Conviction in State of Minnesota v. James Clinton Wren: Implications for Anonymous Juries, Batson Challenges, and Prosecutorial Conduct Introduction In the landmark case of State of...

Reaffirming Plain Error Standards in Accomplice Corroboration: Reed v. State

Date: Aug 24, 2007

Reaffirming Plain Error Standards in Accomplice Corroboration: Reed v. State Introduction State of Minnesota v. Ronald Lindsey Reed (737 N.W.2d 572) is a pivotal decision by the Supreme Court of...

Revisiting Jury Instructions on Aiding and Abetting: Insights from STATE v. Mahkuk

Date: Aug 10, 2007

Revisiting Jury Instructions on Aiding and Abetting: Insights from STATE v. Mahkuk Introduction In STATE of Minnesota v. Edison Joseph Mahkuk, 736 N.W.2d 675 (Minn. 2007), the Supreme Court of...

Access to Proprietary Source Code in DUI Cases: Underdahl v. Commissioner of Public Safety

Date: Jul 27, 2007

Access to Proprietary Source Code in DUI Cases: Underdahl v. Commissioner of Public Safety Introduction The case of In re Commissioner of Public Safety, Dale Lee Underdahl v. Commissioner of Public...

Actionable Fraudulent Misrepresentation of Legal Opinions: Insights from Hoyt Properties, Inc. v. Production Resource Group, L.L.C.

Date: Jul 27, 2007

Actionable Fraudulent Misrepresentation of Legal Opinions: Insights from Hoyt Properties, Inc. v. Production Resource Group, L.L.C. Introduction The Supreme Court of Minnesota, in the case of Hoyt...

Admissibility of Prior Convictions and Prosecutorial Conduct in State v. Davis: A Comprehensive Analysis

Date: Jul 20, 2007

Admissibility of Prior Convictions and Prosecutorial Conduct in State of Minnesota v. Detroit Davis, Jr. Introduction The case of State of Minnesota v. Detroit Davis, Jr., decided by the Supreme...

Clarifying Intent in Third-Degree Assault: Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses Vance's Conviction Due to Erroneous Jury Instructions

Date: Jul 13, 2007

Clarifying Intent in Third-Degree Assault: Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses Vance's Conviction Due to Erroneous Jury Instructions Introduction In the landmark case of State of Minnesota v. Michael...

State of Minnesota v. Dontrell Dyna Flowers: Limiting the Scope of Terry Searches and Automobile Exceptions

Date: Jun 29, 2007

State of Minnesota v. Dontrell Dyna Flowers: Limiting the Scope of Terry Searches and Automobile Exceptions Introduction State of Minnesota v. Dontrell Dyna Flowers, 734 N.W.2d 239 (2007), is a...

Affirmation of Felonious Firearm Possession and the Reasonableness of Warrantless Probation Searches in STATE v. ANDERSON

Date: Jun 15, 2007

Affirmation of Felonious Firearm Possession and the Reasonableness of Warrantless Probation Searches in STATE v. ANDERSON Introduction State of Minnesota v. William Arthur Anderson, 733 N.W.2d 128...

Affirmation of Non-Waivability of Criminal History Score Errors and Proper Assignment of Custody Status Points in STATE v. MAURSTAD

Date: Jun 15, 2007

Affirmation of Non-Waivability of Criminal History Score Errors and Proper Assignment of Custody Status Points in STATE v. MAURSTAD Introduction In State of Minnesota v. Daniel Leslie Maurstad, 733...