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Court of Appeals Opinions

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

Appellate Courts will begin transmitting all notices, orders, and opinions electronically.

Beginning no later than July 1, 2011, the appellate courts will send notices, orders, opinions, and correspondence related to pending cases to attorneys in those cases by e-mail rather than postal mail.  All attorneys with pending appellate cases who have not already registered an e-mail address should do so immediately.  Unrepresented parties with pending appellate cases may also participate in this e-notification system by registering an e-mail address.  Please visit the Clerk of Appellate Courts page for instructions on how to register your e-mail address.
 

Opinion Policies

Minnesota Court of Appeals opinions are issued weekly and are available to the public at 10 a.m. CST/CDT every Monday.

On Wednesday of every week, the Court of Appeals will mail a notice that informs counsel, pro se parties, and court personnel associated with a case that an opinion will be released the following Monday.  Opinions are available online or by visiting the Clerk of Appellate Courts, 305 Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, after the Monday release time.  Copies of the opinions are mailed to involved parties on Mondays.

In certain time-sensitive cases, the Court of Appeals may issue opinions on a business day other than Monday.  In these instances, involved parties will be contacted just prior to the special release.

Please visit the Minnesota State Law Library's Appellate Opinions Archive for previously released Court of Appeals Opinions.

NOTE: If you are having trouble accessing the tabs on your mobile device, you may view all Opinions on a single page.

Published OpinionsBy statute, the Court of Appeals issues a published opinion only in the most important and complex cases. Published opinions include an extensive analysis of the facts and law. They will be considered and used by courts faced with similar issues in the future, and they are published in books found in most law libraries.

DECISIONS OF THE COURT OF APPEALS
FILED Monday, April 15, 2019



A18-1140        Andrew Cilek, et al., Respondents, vs. Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, et al., Appellants.
                         Ramsey County District Court, Hon. Jennifer Frisch.
            Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minn. Stat. §§ 13.01-.90 (2018), and Minn. Stat. § 201.091 (2018), data on (1) registered voter status, (2) reason for a challenge, and (3) voter history are public data.
            Affirmed.  Judge Renee L. Worke.


A18-0755        Landmark Community Bank, N.A., et al., Appellants, vs. John D. Klingelhutz, et al., Respondents.
                         Carver County District Court, Hon. Kevin W. Eide.
            When determining whether a property is used primarily for agricultural purposes such that the property’s owner qualifies for the agricultural homestead exemption under Minn. Stat. § 510.02, subd. 1 (2010), a district court must consider all of the record evidence regarding how the property is used.  Evidence that the property receives valuation and tax deferment under Minn. Stat. § 273.111 (2018), the Minnesota Agricultural Property Tax Law, is relevant, but it is not determinative.
            Affirmed.  Judge Michelle A. Larkin.


A18-1188        Sherria Nichols, Respondent, vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Appellant.
                         Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Bruce A. Peterson.
            An insured incurs a loss under the Minnesota No-Fault Act when her health-care provider complies with the billing requirements of Minn. Stat. § 62Q.75, subd. 3 (2018), by submitting its charges to a health-plan company within six months of service.
            Affirmed.  Judge Randall J. Slieter.

 
Unpublished OpinionsUnpublished opinions are issued in cases that are less complicated, that involve legal issues that have already been decided in published opinions, or that will affect only the parties to that particular case. These opinions are usually shorter, do not contain extensive discussion of the facts, and are not generally relied on by other courts to the same degree as published opinions.

UNPUBLISHED OPINIONS
FILED Monday, April 15, 2019

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 480A.08, subd. 3 (2018)



1.         A18-0722
            In re the Marriage of:  Susan Lee Wood, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Brad Wesley Wood,
            Appellant.
            Reversed and remanded.  Judge Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks.
            Dakota County District Court, Hon. David L. Knutson.

2.         A18-0793
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. William Joseph Netz, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Renee L. Worke.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Jamie L. Anderson.

3.         A18-0599
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Samuel Louis Chase, Jr., Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Renee L. Worke.
            Anoka County District Court, Hon. John Dehen.

4.         A18-0827
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Jarrett Thomas Hill, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Kevin G. Ross.
            St. Louis County District Court, Hon. Eric Hylden.

5.         A18-0528
            In re the Marriage of:  David Brian Toft, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Arirat Toft,
            Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Kevin G. Ross.
            Ramsey County District Court, Hon. Jeffrey Bryan.

6.         A18-1900
            In the Matter of the Welfare of the Children of: N. E. J. and M. D. H., Parents.
            Affirmed.  Judge Heidi S. Schellhas.
            Anoka County District Court, Hon. John Dehen.

7.         A18-1379
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Tommy Earl Upshaw, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Heidi S. Schellhas.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Tanya Mozell Bransford.

8.         A18-1875, A18-1881, A18-1891
            In re the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: L. M. E. and B. E. E., Parents (A18-
            1875), and In re the Matter of the Welfare of the Child of: L. M. E. and C. K. D., Parents
            (A18-1881, A18-1891).
            Affirmed.  Judge Francis J. Connolly.
            Mille Lacs County District Court, Hon. Gail T. Kulick.

9.         A18-1129
            In re Safelite Solutions, LLC.
            Reversed and remanded.  Judge Francis J. Connolly.
            Minnesota Department of Commerce.

10.       A18-1476
            Gary Lee Johnson, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
            Clay County District Court, Hon, Michael D. Fritz.

11.       A18-1738
            In the Matter of the Welfare of: D. L. L., Jr.
            Affirmed.  Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman.
            Anoka County District Court, Hon. Barry A. Sullivan.

12.       A18-1320
            Shelley Lynn Yocom, Appellant, vs. RAM Mutual Insurance Company, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman.
            Goodhue County District Court, Hon. Douglas Bayley.

13.       A18-1030
            Cleveland-Cliffs Minnesota Land Development LLC, Relator, vs. Minnesota Department
            of Natural Resources, Respondent, Mesabi Metallics Company, LLC, Respondent.
            Appeal dismissed.  Judge Denise D. Reilly.
            Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

14.       A18-1501
            Michelle J. Duppong, Respondent, vs. Mayo Clinic Health System - Red Wing,
            Appellant.
            Reversed and remanded.  Judge Peter M. Reyes, Jr.
            Goodhue County District Court, Hon. Kevin F. Mark.

15.       A18-0696
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Larry Roy Kiefat, Jr., Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Peter M. Reyes, Jr.
            Dakota County District Court, Hon. Jerome B. Abrams.

16.       A17-0422
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. De'Aries Calvin Collins, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Peter M. Reyes, Jr.
            Ramsey County District Court, Hon. Lezlie Ott Marek.

17.       A18-0799
            In the Matter of the Proposed Closing Of Rollingstone Community School.
            Affirmed; motion denied.  Judge Lucinda E. Jesson.
            Independent School District 861.

18.       A18-0436
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Raymundo Zeferino-Sanchez, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Lucinda E. Jesson.
            Scott County District Court, Hon. Ann M. Offermann.

19.       A18-1377
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Juan Carlos Tamez, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Tracy M. Smith.
            Clay County District Court, Hon. Michelle W. Lawson.

20.       A18-1076
            Abdiaziz H. Hirsi, Appellant, vs. ARCH Language Network, Inc. d/b/a ARCH Language,
            et al., Respondents.
            Affirmed.  Judge Tracy M. Smith.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Karen A. Janisch.

21.       A18-0926
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Marlow Vincent Labatte, Jr., Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Tracy M. Smith.
            Yellow Medicine County District Court, Hon. Thomas W. Van Hon.

22.       A18-0499
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Machelle Jean Frisbie, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
            Winona County District Court, Hon. Jeffrey D. Thompson.

23.       A18-0832
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Pedro Antonio Lawler, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
            Chisago County District Court, Hon. Bridgid E. Dowdal.

24.       A18-0616
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Cody Douglas Thurstin, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
            Crow Wing County District Court, Hon. David  J. Teneyck.

25.       A18-1393
            Ronnie Jerome Jackson, III, Appellant, vs. Michelle Smith, Respondent, Keith Ellison,
            Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Randall J. Slieter.
            Washington County District Court, Hon. Douglas Meslow.

26.       A18-1092
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Elwin Louis Klimek, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Randall J. Slieter.
            St. Louis County District Court, Hon. Robert C. Friday.

27.       A18-0701
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Leon Travis Franklin, Appellant.
            Reversed and remanded.  Judge Randall J. Slieter.
            Dakota County District Court, Hon. Christopher J. Lehmann.

28.       A18-1325
            Daniel Lee McMaster, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Michael L. Kirk.*
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Paul Scoggin.

29.       A18-1427
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Shayne Carl Nelson, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  R. A. (Jim) Randall.*
            Pine County District Court, Hon. Krista K. Martin.

30.       A18-1124
            Kathleen Harasyn, Relator, vs. Hennepin Home Health Care Inc., Respondent,
            Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge John P. Smith.*
            Dissenting, Judge Lucinda E. Jesson.
            Department of Employment and Economic Development.

31.       A18-0937
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Derek Ronald Shaw, Appellant.
            Reversed.  Judge John P. Smith.*
            Steele County District Court, Hon. Karen R Duncan.

32.       A18-0708
            Beth Ann Bersaw, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Richard George Bersaw, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge John P. Smith.*         
            Blue Earth County District Court, Hon. Mark Edward Betters.

 
* Retired judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, serving by appointment pursuant to Minn. Const. art. § 10.
 
Order OpinionsCases that involve a few simple issues may be decided by order opinions, which include little discussion of the facts of the case and a brief analysis of the laws that are involved.

RECENT ORDER OPINIONS
April 15, 2019



1.         A18-0842
            Brandon D. Miller, on behalf of minor children, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Jennifer
            Woessner Anderson, on behalf of P. A., Appellant.
            Reversed.  Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
            Olmsted County District Court, Hon. Joseph F. Chase.

2.         A18-0302
            Hennepin County, Petitioner, Fardowsa M. Ahmed, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Ali H.
            Mahamed, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Randall J. Slieter.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Thomas Fraser.
 

NO SPECIAL RELEASE OPINIONS FILED

Opinion SetsOpinion sets contain all published, unpublished, and order opinions. The sets are compressed into files that must be unpacked before opening them.

Opinion Sets For Opinions
Filed Monday, April 15, 2019

Opinion Set in a Zipped Word Document Format

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Opinion Set in a Zipped Rich Text Format

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