Precedential OpinionsBy statute, the Court of Appeals issues a precedential (formerly called "published") opinion only in the most important and complex cases. Precedential 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 of caselaw found in most law libraries.

DECISIONS OF THE COURT OF APPEALS
FILED Monday, July 19, 2021

A20-0779        State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Rodney Donta Jackson, Appellant.
                         Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Kathryn L. Quaintance.
            1.   The Sixth Amendment right to a public trial extends to a Schwartz hearing.
            2.   The remedy for an improperly closed Schwartz hearing is a remand for a new, publicly accessible Schwartz hearing rather than a new trial if, under the circumstances, a properly conducted hearing might obviate the need for a retrial.
            Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.  Judge Kevin G. Ross.

A20-1318        Carter Justice, Appellant, vs. Marvel, LLC d/b/a Pump It Up Parties, Respondent.
                         Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Jamie L. Anderson.
            1.   A parent is authorized to sign, on behalf of his or her minor child, an exculpatory clause that releases a negligence claim against a third party.  If the exculpatory clause is valid and enforceable, it is binding on the child after the child becomes an adult.
            2.   Section 184B.20 of the Minnesota Statutes does not apply retroactively to an exculpatory clause signed before August 1, 2010, the effective date of the statute.
            3.   An exculpatory clause that is overly broad because it purports to release claims of intentional, willful, or wanton negligence is valid and enforceable to the extent that a plaintiff has alleged a claim of ordinary negligence but is invalid and unenforceable to the extent that a plaintiff has alleged a claim of greater-than-ordinary negligence.
            Affirmed.  Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
 
A19-0115        In the Matter of Issuance of Air Emissions Permit No. 13700345-101 for
A19-0134        Polymet Mining, Inc., City of Hoyt Lakes, St. Louis County, Minnesota.
                         Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
            Under Minn. Stat. § 14.69 (2020), when an agency fails to adequately explain the reasons for its conclusions, a reviewing court may reverse the agency’s decision as unsupported by substantial evidence or remand to the agency for additional findings.
            Remanded.  Judge Lucinda E. Jesson.

A20-1482       Builders Association of the Twin Cities, d/b/a Housing First Minnesota, Petitioner, vs. Board of Electricity,
                        Respondent, Department of Labor and Industry, Respondent.
                        Minnesota Board of Electricity.
            A deficiency in an agency’s statement of need and reasonableness (SONAR) may invalidate an agency rule, but only if the deficiency prejudiced the rulemaking process.  Prejudice occurs if a SONAR does not adequately preview the agency’s intentions, evidence, and rationale so as to afford interested parties the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the rulemaking process.  When a SONAR provides sufficient information for interested parties to meaningfully participate in the rulemaking process, there is no resulting prejudice.
            Rule declared valid.  Judge Theodora K. Gaïtas.

Nonprecedential OpinionsNonprecedential opinions (formerly called "unpublished opinions") are issued in cases that are less complicated, that involve legal issues that have already been decided in precedential opinions, or that will affect only the parties to that particular case. These opinions are usually shorter than precedential opinions, do not contain extensive discussion of the facts, and are not generally relied on by other courts to the same degree as precedential opinions.

NONPRECEDENTIAL OPINIONS
FILED Monday, July 19, 2021

Pursuant to Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 136.01, subd. 1 (c)

1.         A20-1556
            Minnesota Sporting Clays Association, Appellant, vs. National Casualty Company, et al.,
            Respondents.
            Reversed and remanded.  Chief Judge Susan L. Segal.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Jamie L. Anderson.
 
2.         A20-1360, A20-1369
            Amanda Marie Van Ryswyk, Respondent, vs. Joshua Thomas Van Ryswyk, Appellant, and
            Joshua Thomas Van Ryswyk, Appellant, vs. Amanda Marie Van Ryswyk, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Chief Judge Susan L. Segal.
            Freeborn County District Court, Hon. Karen R Duncan.
 
3.         A21-0016
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. William Cleveland Alan Boykin, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Renee L. Worke.
            Lyon County District Court, Hon. Tricia Zimmer.
 
4.         A20-1504
            In the Matter of the Trust Agreement of Julian M. Johnson.
            Affirmed.  Judge Renee L. Worke.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Karen A. Janisch.
 
5.         A20-1188
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Michael Arthur Jack, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Renee L. Worke.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Jeannice M. Reding.
 
6.         A20-0991
            Scott Arlen Lange, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge Francis J. Connolly.
            Isanti County District Court, Hon. John D. Klossner.
 
7.         A20-1054
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Martell Antonio Bloxson, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Regina M. Chu.
 
8.         A20-1443
            S'Emaj Avyiair Okongwu, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
            Affirmed; motion denied.  Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
            Dakota County District Court, Hon. Tim D. Wermager.
 
9.         A20-0693, A20-1587
            Raymond Kvalvog, et al., Appellants, vs. Josh Lee, et al., Respondents, Secura Insurance,
            Defendant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
            Clay County District Court, Hon. Michelle W. Lawson.
 
10.       A20-1158
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Shawn Pierre Belland, II, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Tracy M. Smith.
            Red Lake County District Court, Hon. Corey Harbott.
 
11.       A20-0825
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Latese Capree Hudson, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Tracy M. Smith.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Kerry Meyer.
 
12.       A20-0680
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Anthony Dale Klitzke, Appellant.
            Affirmed.  Judge Lucinda E. Jesson.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Martha A. Holton Dimick.
 
13.       A19-1363
            In re Year 2019 Salary of Freeborn County Sheriff.
            Affirmed.  Judge Lucinda E. Jesson.
            Freeborn County District Court, Hon. Carol M. Hanks.
 
14.       A21-0269
            Matthew Sawatzky, Relator, vs. Harris Rochester, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.
            Affirmed.  Judge James B. Florey.
            Department of Employment and Economic Development.
 
15.       A21-0100
            Suleiman Iraad, Relator, vs. Amazon.com Services LLC, Respondent, Department of
            Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.
            Reversed and remanded.  Judge James B. Florey.
            Department of Employment and Economic Development.
 
16.       A20-1086
            State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Mony Vetsouvanh, Appellant.
            Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.  Judge Randall J. Slieter.
            Cottonwood County District Court, Hon. Christina M. Wietzema.

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
July 19, 2021

1.         A20-1492
            In re the Guardianship and Conservatorship of: Virginia Burnette-Crawford.        
            Affirmed.  Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
            Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Mike Lien and Hon. Phillip Carruthers.
 

NO SPECIAL RELEASE OPINIONS FILED

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

Opinion Sets For Opinions
Filed Monday, July 19, 2021

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