Court of Appeals Opinions

Under 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), including 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, DECEMBER 1, 2025

A25-0559 Reyzl Grace MoChridhe, Appellant, vs. Academy of Holy Angels, Respondent,
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Respondent.
Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Karen A. Janisch.
A court properly dismisses sex or sexual orientation employment-discrimination claims against a church under Minn. R. Civ. P. 12.02(e) if the allegations in the complaint, construed in plaintiff’s favor, establish that the court’s adjudication of plaintiff’s claims would violate the religious freedom provisions of the First Amendment as a matter of law.
Affirmed. Judge Michelle A. Larkin.

A25-0382 State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Tommy Eastman, Appellant.
Anoka County District Court, Hon. Jenny Walker Jasper.
The 2023 amendment to Minnesota Statutes section 609.14, subdivision 1(a), does not create a new or heightened standard that requires a district court, before it may revoke a defendant’s probation, to make any findings that rehabilitation has failed additional to or different from those currently required by existing caselaw.
Affirmed. Judge Sarah I. Wheelock.