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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025

A24-0773   Todd Robert Reihs, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Commissioner of Public Safety, Respondent.
                   Blue Earth County District Court, Hon. Mark Edward Betters.
          A district court does not have subject-matter jurisdiction under Minn. Stat. § 171.19 (2022) to review the extension of a driver’s license-revocation period.
          Affirmed. Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman.

A24-0377   American Family Insurance Company a/s/o Nicholas Oelke, Appellant, vs. NB Electric, Inc. dba East Side Garage Doors,
                    Respondent, Morningstar Remodeling, LLC, Respondent.
                   Ramsey County District Court, Hon. Sara R. Grewing.
          As used in Minnesota Statutes section 541.051, subdivision 1(c) (2022), the phrase “substantial completion, termination, or abandonment of the construction or the improvement to real property” refers to the project as a whole.
          Reversed and remanded. Judge Randall J. Slieter.
          Dissenting, Judge Edward J. Cleary.*

A24-1074   Paul Casey Mason, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
                   Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Michael E. Burns.
          1. A district court has jurisdiction to rule on a motion seeking to correct an alleged unlawful sentence under Minn. R. Crim. P. 27.03, subd. 9 that would change the classification of an offense from a felony to a gross misdemeanor even after the sentence has expired.
          2. Under Minn. Stat. § 152.025, subd. 4(a) (2016), a single syringe does not constitute “one dosage unit” of a controlled substance as a matter of law; rather, the defendant must prove, as a factual matter, that the syringe constitutes “one dosage unit.”
          Affirmed. Judge Jon Schmidt.
 
A24-1469   State of Minnesota, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Justin Kenyatta Watson, Respondent.
                   Scott County District Court, Hon. Caroline H. Lennon.
          The state may appeal as of right from a final order granting a petition to vacate a second-degree unintentional-felony-murder conviction under the procedure established by 2023 Minn. Laws ch. 52, art. 4, § 24, at 864–68, and as amended by 2024 Minn. Laws ch. 123, art. 4, §§ 19–21, at 2268–71, as an appeal from an order granting postconviction relief under Minn. R. Crim. P. 28.04, subd. 1(3).
          Appeal to proceed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.

* 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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025

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

1.   A23-1672
      In the Matter of the Application by Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy for Authority to Increase Rates for Electric Service in the
      State of Minnesota.
      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch.
      Concurring in part, dissenting in part. Judge Tracy M. Smith.
      Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

2.   A24-0354
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Adam Eldon Switala, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Renee L. Worke.
      Wright County District Court, Hon. Elizabeth Strand.

3.   A24-0556, A24-0593
      Demetreious Anderson Baldwin, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Carolina A. Lamas.

4.   A24-0164
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Justin Daniel Okins, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Redwood County District Court, Hon. Patrick R. Rohland.

5.   A24-0803
      Kevin Eric Alstrin, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Allison Lynn Alstrin, Respondent, Carver County, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Francis J. Connolly.
      Carver County District Court, Hon. Eric J. Braaten.

6.   A24-0407
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Beth Marie Coolbroth, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
      Swift County District Court, Hon. David L. Mennis.

7.   A24-0557
      James Dennis Omwenga, Respondent, vs. Wallace Rasugu, Respondent, NewGe Contractors L.L.C., Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. James Moore.

8.   A24-0063
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Renan Guandique, Appellant.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Peter A. Cahill.

9.   A24-0323
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Kenneth James Holcomb, Jr., Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Lisa K. Janzen.

10. A24-0516
      PPB Holdings, L.P., Appellant, vs. County of Carver, a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Peter M. Reyes, Jr.
      Carver County District Court, Hon. Janet L. Barke Cain.

11. A24-0217
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Adrian Dominique Bell, Appellant.
      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Judge Tracy M. Smith.
      Washington County District Court, Hon. Douglas B. Meslow.

12. A24-0963
      Jacques Lafrenier, et al., Appellants, vs. Joseph Berger, Respondent.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
      Sherburne County District Court, Hon. Judge Kristi Stanislawski.

13. A24-0825
      State of Minnesota, Appellant, vs. Marcus Devontae Harvey, Respondent.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
      Scott County District Court, Hon. Patrick Goggins.

14. A24-0734
      State of Minnesota, Appellant, vs. Devin Dion Tillman, Respondent.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
      Blue Earth County District Court, Hon. Judge Kristine Weeks.

15. A24-0618
      State of Minnesota, Appellant, vs. Andre Lorenzo Dee, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Judge Sarah Hudleston.

16. A24-0192
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Gabriel Macedo, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Carolina A. Lamas.

17. A24-0181
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. James Henry Maxwell, Appellant.
      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Judge Randall J. Slieter.
      Aitkin County District Court, Hon. Patricia A. Aanes.

18. A24-0685
      Clean Care LLC, Appellant, vs. Jacobson Environmental, PLLC, et al., Respondents.
      Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. Judge Elise Larson.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Bridget Sullivan.

19. A24-0289
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. James Michael Dahlin, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.
      Red Lake County District Court, Hon. Jeffrey Scott Remick.

20. A24-0183
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Andre Antonio Walker Hansbrough, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Anna Andow.

21. A24-0898
      Nicholas C Vezzetti, Respondent, vs. The City of Minneapolis, Appellant.
      Reversed. Judge JaPaul J. Harris.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Rachna Sullivan.

22. A24-0890
      Brian's Lawn & Landscaping, Inc. dba Rock Hard Landscape Supply, Respondent, vs. Last Chance Ranch, Inc., et al., Appellants.
      Affirmed. Judge JaPaul J. Harris.
      Hubbard County District Court, Hon. Eric P. Schieferdecker.

23. A24-0374
      In the matter of a Potentially Dangerous Dog declaration involving a black, tan & white colored Caucasian Shepherd (Ovcharka) dog identified as
      "Judas".
      Affirmed. Judge JaPaul J. Harris.
      City of Maplewood, Minnesota.

24. A24-0962
      Giovanni German Vasquez Rosales, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Michael L. Kirk.*
      Mower County District Court, Hon. Christa M. Daily.

25. A24-0552
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Deborah Ann Kirchner, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Roger M. Klaphake.*
      Itasca County District Court, Hon. Korey D. Wahwassuck.

26. A24-0632
      Petition of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for an Order Directing Entry of New Certificate of Title After Mortgage Foreclosure Sale Certificate
      No. 112938 - Foster.
      Affirmed. Judge John P. Smith.*
      Concurring, Judge Elise Larson.
      Anoka County District Court, Hon. Thomas R. Lehmann.

27. A24-0794
      Jessica A Clay, Respondent, vs. Roger Day, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Denise D. Reilly.*
      Washington County District Court, Hon. Sheridan Hawley.

28. A24-0718
      United Christian Fellowship Church, et al., Appellants, vs. Spire Credit Union, Respondent, Jennifer L. Urban, et al., Respondents.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Denise D. Reilly.*
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Joseph R. Klein.

29. A23-1915
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Justin Lee Niesen, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Denise D. Reilly.*
      Kanabec County District Court, Hon. Stoney L. Hiljus.

* 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. Order opinions "are not binding authority except as law of the case, res judicata or collateral estoppel." Minn. R. Civ. App. 136.01. 

RECENT ORDER OPINIONS
January 21, 2025

1.   A24-0100
      Brooke Lea Simpson, Appellant, vs. Medarid Duque, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Ramsey County District Court, Hon. JaPaul J Harris.

2.   A24-0695
      Jordan Latrell Jefferson, petitioner, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Roger M. Klaphake.*
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Martha A. Holton Dimick.

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

Opinions released on a day other than the court’s weekly release date will appear on the Special Release Opinions tab. Special release opinions may be precedential, nonprecedential, or order opinions.  

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 Tuesday, January 21, 2025

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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5. Open the extracted file.