Minnesota Court of Appeals Help Topics
Introduction
Under the laws of Minnesota and applicable court rules, some decisions of the district (trial) courts and of governmental agencies or bodies (such as city councils, school boards, and state departments) can be appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.Not all decisions are appealable immediately; often a party must wait until the district court or governmental body has decided all issues in the same case or proceeding before an appeal can be filed.
If there is a right to appeal, the party who appeals usually must show that the district court judge or governmental decision-maker made errors of law that affected the decision and that the Court of Appeals should reverse (overturn) the decision or remand (send it back) to the district court judge or governmental decision-maker for more proceedings.
Appeals are usually very different from proceedings before a district court, an administrative agency, or a child-support magistrate. On appeal:
- You must make all your arguments in writing.
- You cannot present witnesses.
- You cannot present new evidence.
- you raised in the district court or other proceeding, and
- were decided (ruled on) by the judge or other decision-maker.
- You usually cannot make new arguments on appeal.