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, April 28, 2025

A24-1388   In re the SUPERVISED Estate of Lori Jean Bogren, Deceased.
                    Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Michael K. Browne.
          1. Under Minnesota Statutes section 524.2-1107(c) (2024), a disclaimer “describe[s] the interest . . . Disclaimed” when it conveys sufficient information to impart an idea or impression of the interest’s qualities, peculiarities, or distinctive traits.
          2. Because of the flexibility of what constitutes an adequate description of an interest being disclaimed under section 524.2-1107(c), a disclaimer is not automatically defective if it does not state the value of the interest disclaimed.
          Reversed and remanded. Judge Renee L. Worke.
  A25-0259   In the Matter of the Denial of the Application of Kathleen Smith for MSRS General Employees Retirement Plan Total and
                    Permanent Disability Benefits. Minnesota State Retirement System.
          1. Because the 60-day deadline to appeal the decision of a governing board under Minn. Stat. § 356.96, subd. 13 (2024), runs from the day the board mails its decision, Minn. R. Civ. P. 6.01(e)—which is incorporated into Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 126.01—applies to add three days to the appeal deadline.
          2. To invoke the certiorari jurisdiction of the court of appeals, a petitioner may effectuate service on “the adverse party,” as required by Minn. Stat. § 606.02 (2024), by serving the party with the issued writ of certiorari directly, regardless of whether the party is represented by counsel.
          Appeal to proceed. Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch.

A25-0328   Wendy Sills, Respondent, vs. Kevin Thomes, Appellant.
                  Todd County District Court, Hon. Johnathan Judd.
          A district court's order that does not determine the parties' respective rights in real property pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 558.04 (2024) is not immediately appealable under Minn. Stat. § 558.215 (2024).
          Dismissed. Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch.

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, April 28, 2025

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

1.   A24-0909
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Chad Menford Brehmer, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Hilary L. Caligiuri.

2.   A23-0928, A23-0930
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Jeremy Scott Jenkins, Appellant.
      Reversed. Judge Renee L. Worke.
      Beltrami County District Court, Hon. John G. Melbye.

3.   A24-0316
      Deandre D'Shaun Adams, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Antoinette York, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Charlene Hatcher.

4.   A23-0453
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Eric James Reinbold, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Kevin G. Ross.
      Pennington County District Court, Hon. Tamara Lynn Yon.

5.   A24-1334
      Ryan Gary Sanford, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Bethany Lynn Beilby, Appellant.
      Affirmed as modified. Judge Francis J. Connolly.
      Steele County District Court, Hon. Karen R. Duncan.

6.   A24-1171
      North Country Contracting, LLC, et al., Respondents, vs. Citizens Alliance Bank, Appellant, Nick Woodard, Defendant.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
      Clay County District Court, Hon. Jade Rosenfeldt.

7.   A24-1065
      Varvara Viktorovna Tishchenko, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Joseph Monroe Cmiel, Respondent, Ramsey County, Intervenor.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
      Ramsey County District Court, Hon. Robyn A. Millenacker.

8.   A23-0307
      Jon Huseth, et al., d/b/a Clay View Dairy, LLP, Appellants, vs. Goodhue County Cooperative Electric Association, Appellant on Related Appeal, Kurt
      Emery, Respondent, DuraTech Industries International, Inc., Respondent, Highline Manufacturing, Ltd., Respondent.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
      Goodhue County District Court, Hon. Patrick M. Biren.

9.   A24-1166
      Danielle Elizabeth Dressel, petitioner, Appellant, vs. Nathan David Dressel, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
      Dakota County District Court, Hon. Cynthia McCollum.

10. A24-0830
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Cass Howard Ellingboe, Appellant
      Affirmed. Judge Michelle A. Larkin.
      Renville County District Court, Hon. Laurence J. Stratton.

11. A24-0653
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Jeremy Jyrone White, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman.
      Ramsey County District Court, Hon. John H. Guthmann.

12. A24-0720
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Thomas Allen Moe, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Peter M. Reyes, Jr.
      Olmsted County District Court, Hon. Joseph F. Chase.

13. A24-1149
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Christopher Ryan Shappell, Appellant.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Tracy M. Smith.
      Douglas County District Court, Hon. Michelle L. Clark.

14. A24-1226
      Resolution Non-Renewing Probationary Teaching Contract.
      Reversed. Judge Diane B. Bratvold.
      Independent School District No. 700.

15. A24-1141
      Dale Zubke, Respondent, vs. David Nelson, et al., Appellants.
      Affirmed. Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
      St. Louis County District Court, Hon. Shawn L. Pearson.

16. A24-0998, A24-1145, A24-1146
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Cory Donavan Dodge, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Jeanne M. Cochran.
      Stearns County District Court, Hon. Heidi E. Schultz, Hon. Shan C. Wang.

17. A24-1381
      James David Colburn, Respondent, vs. Eunjin Jinny Colburn, Appellant.
      Remanded. Judge Randall J. Slieter.
      Carver County District Court, Hon. Janet L. Barke Cain.

18. A24-1314
      In the Matter of the Application of Jesus Adrian Soto for a Change of Name of Minor.
      Reversed. Judge Sarah I. Wheelock.
      Blue Earth County District Court, Hon. Judge Kristine Weeks.

19. A24-1163
      Thomas Gabor Gratzer, petitioner, Respondent, vs. State of Minnesota, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Paul Scoggin.

20. A24-0938, A24-0939
      Guardianship of the Person of Lance Alvin Melser, In re the Guardianship of Cory James Wojtowicz.
      Affirmed. Judge Keala C. Ede.
      Anoka County District Court, Hon. Jennifer L. Stanfield.

21. A24-1137
      Allison Baron Bonnett, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Theodore James Bonnett, Appellant.
      Affirmed in part and remanded. Judge JaPaul J. Harris.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Terri Yellowhammer.

22. A24-0997
      State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Vanik Carlence Pierre, Appellant.
      Reversed and remanded. Judge Elizabeth G. Bentley.
      Jackson County District Court, Hon. Darci Bentz.

23. A24-1328
      John Puetz, Appellant, vs. Vernon Sechriest, II, Respondent.
      Affirmed. Judge Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks.*
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Lois R. Conroy.

* 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
April 28, 2025

1.   A24-0972
      Randall Zaza Kar, petitioner, Respondent, vs. Saypee Kennedy, Appellant.
      Affirmed. Judge Francis J. Connolly.
      Anoka County District Court, Hon. Suzanne Brown.

2.   A24-0721
      Andrew Williams, Appellant, vs. State of Minnesota, et al., Respondents.
      Affirmed. Judge Matthew E. Johnson.
      Carlton County District Court, Hon. Eric Hylden.

3.   A24-1716
      In Re the Matter of: Peter Richard Rickmyer, DOB 2/4/1957.
      Affirmed; motion denied. Judge Jon Schmidt.
      Hennepin County District Court, Hon. Kerry Meyer.

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 Monday, April 28, 2025

Opinion Set in a Zipped PDF Format

1. Click the above link.
2. Save the unzipped file to your computer.
3. Choose the "Open" option on the Download Complete screen.
4. Extract the files to a location of your choice.
5. Open the extracted file.