Precedential OpinionsUnder Minn. Rule of Civil Appellate Procedure 136.01, the Court of Appeals issues a precedential opinion (formerly called "published opinions") only to clarify or develop the law.  In deciding whether to issue a precedential opinion, the court considers multiple factors listed in Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 136.01, subd. (1)(b), incluing whether the case establishes a new principle or rule of law, clarifies existing case law, decides a novel issue involving a constitutional provision, statute, administrative rule or rule of court, or resolves a significant or recurring legal issue.  Precedential opinions 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.  Under Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 128.02, subd. 1(f), parties may advise the court whether a precedential opinion would be helpful. 

DECISIONS OF THE COURT OF APPEALS
FILED Monday, September 16, 2024

A24-0128   In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of: Anthony Blake Swope.
                   Scott County District Court, Hon. Colleen G. King.
          Minnesota Statutes chapter 253B (2022) requires a county to pay the attorney fees for court-appointed civil-commitment representation in “proceedings under this chapter.” Because a petition for a writ of mandamus or habeas corpus is not a civil-commitment proceeding under the chapter, chapter 253B does not authorize a district court to order a county to pay attorney fees generated in a separate mandamus or habeas corpus proceeding.
          Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
          Concurring. Judge Edward J. Cleary.*

A23-1951   Juan Cuate, Respondent, vs. Pedro Cuate-Dominguez, et al., Appellants.
                   Dakota County District Court, Hon. Ann M. Offermann
          For the purpose of determining the notice period to terminate a tenancy at will under Minnesota Statutes section 504B.135 (Supp. 2023), “rent” means regular, periodic consideration paid for the use or occupation of property.
          Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.

* Retired judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, serving by appointment pursuant to Minn. Const. art. VI, § 10.

Nonprecedential OpinionsNonprecedential opinions (formerly called "unpublished opinions") are typically issued in cases that do not contain issues of first impression or involve the application of established law to the particular set of facts and circumstances in that case.  See Minn. R. Civ. App. 136.01.  Nonprecedential opinions "are not binding authority except as law of the case, res judicata or collateral estoppel, but nonprecedential opinions may be cited as persuasive authority." Minn. R. Civ. App. 136.01. 

NONPRECEDENTIAL OPINIONS
FILED Monday, September 16, 2024

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

1.   A23-1836
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Hunter Steven Hipp, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Benton County District Court, Hon. Robert Raupp.

2.   A23-1750
      Amber Otte McMillan, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Abram Lennox Eli McMillan, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Carver County District Court, Hon. Eric J. Braaten.

3.   A24-0257
      Kelly Michels, Respondent, vs. Terry Dean Johnson, Sr., et al., Appellants.
      Affirmed. Judge Francis J. Connolly.
      Kandiyohi County District Court, Hon. Melissa Listug.

4.   A24-0673
      State of Minnesota, Appellant, vs. Breanna Rae Enno, Respondent.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. John Lucas.

5.   A23-1692
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Jesus Nava Carranza, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Hilary L. Caligiuri.

6.   A23-1730
      Tal Sarusi individually and d/b/a Sealed Envelope LLC, et al., Appellants, vs. Todd Laughlin individually and d/b/a LB Spray Foam, LLC, et al.,
      Respondents.
      Affirmed. Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Lois R. Conroy.

7.   A23-1917
      In the Matter of the Welfare of: R. A. C., Child.
      Affirmed. Judge Tracy M. Smith.
      St. Louis County District Court, Hon. Andrew R. Peterson.

8.   A23-1941
      Oehlerts & Sons Construction, Respondent, vs. Thomas A. Baustian, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
      Dissenting, Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
      Rock County District Court, Hon. Terry S. Vajgrt.

9.   A23-1937
      James Thomas Miller, Appellant, vs. Tarja L Lewis on Behalf of the Estate of Mark Thomas Pavelich, Deceased, Respondent.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
      Cook County District Court, Hon. Michael J. Cuzzo.

10. A23-1688
      Donald Gerard Sauve, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Haley Marie Lindstrom, f/k/a Haley Marie Sauve, Respondent, County of Kanabec, Minnesota,
       Intervenor.
      Affirmed; motions denied. Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
      Kanabec County District Court, Hon. Stoney L. Hiljus.

11. A23-1510
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. David Wokeph Natee, Appellant.
      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Julie Allyn.

12. A23-1156
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. James Andrew Works, Appellant.
      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Judge Randall J. Slieter.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. William H. Koch.

13. A24-0201
      Pebble Creek LLC, Appellant, vs. Yatta Emma Sao, Respondent, John Doe, et al., Defendants.
      Affirmed in part, and remanded. Judge Jennifer Frisch.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Bev Benson.

14. A24-0486
      In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of: Allyn Lee Schlumpberger.
      Affirmed. Judge Sarah I. Wheelock.
      Commitment Appeal Panel - Hon. Edward Lynch, Hon. Susan Miles, Hon. Teresa R. Warner.

15. A23-1783
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Daniel Lee Haley, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Sarah I. Wheelock.
      Scott County District Court, Hon. Tanya O'Brien.

16. A24-0444
      In the Matter of the Welfare of the Children of: M. R. S. and N. M. M., Parents.
      Affirmed. Judge Elise Larson.
      Dakota County District Court, Hon. Christopher J. Lehmann.

17. A24-0392
      Paul Hansmeier, Appellant, vs. Tobies Enterprises, Inc., Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Elise Larson.
      Pine County District Court, Hon. Krista K. Martin.

18. A23-1572
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Ricardo Marlon Curtis, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Elise Larson.
      Stearns County District Court, Hon. William J. Cashman.

19. A24-0471
      In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of: Joshua Lee Winsky.
      Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.
      Olmsted County District Court, Hon. Lisa R. Hayne.

20. A23-0898
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Dennis Lee Heard, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Lisa K. Janzen.

21. A22-1564
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Kwadwo Adu Twum, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Edward J. Cleary.*
      Washington County District Court, Hon. Ellen L. Maas.

22. A24-0155
      Justin Bolton, Appellant, vs. Soderburg Roofing & Contracting, LLC, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks.*
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Kristin Siegesmund.

23. A24-0458
      State of Minnesota, Appellant, vs. Robert Allen Bennett, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Michael L. Kirk.*
      Sherburne County District Court, Hon. Karen Schommer.

24. A24-0202
      Tracie Nicole Odle and OBO Minor Children, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Jonathan James Odle, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Michael L. Kirk.*
      Mille Lacs County District Court, Hon. Mark Herzing.

25. A23-1501
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Lue Vang, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge John P. Smith.*
      Ramsey County District Court, Hon. Richard H. Kyle, Jr.

* Retired judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, serving by appointment pursuant to Minn. Const. art. VI, § 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
September 16, 2024

1.   A23-1920
      Amira Ragheb Attia, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Tarek Ahmed Moussa, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Jon Schmidt.
      Anoka County District Court, Hon. Sean C. Gibbs.

NO SPECIAL RELEASE OPINIONS FILED

Opinion SetsAs of June 1, 2023, the Court of Appeals no longer provides opinion sets in Word Document format and Rich Text Format. Opinions are available in PDF format under the Opinions tabs on this site.

Opinion Sets For Opinions
Filed Monday, September 16, 2024

Opinion Set in a Zipped PDF Format

1. Click the above link.
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3. Choose the "Open" option on the Download Complete screen.
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