Verdict . News

Jan 21, 2026•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed tribal standing to challenge racetrack gambling expansions

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Tribal Standing in Casino Gaming Dispute

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed that the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has standing to challenge the state Racing Commission's approval of Running Aces Casino's plan to add electronic table games. The case centers on whether the casino expansion violates state gambling laws and tribal-state compacts.

•Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community can proceed with challenge to Running Aces electronic table games

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court ruled litigation over civil investigative demands tolls the statute of limitations for Attorney General enforcement actions

Minnesota Supreme Court Reverses on Attorney General Enforcement Authority

The Minnesota Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision, ruling that litigation over civil investigative demands tolls the statute of limitations for the Attorney General's civil enforcement actions. The January 7, 2026 decision in State of Minnesota Office of the Attorney General v. Madison Equities, Inc. strengthens the state's investigative authority.

•Decision reverses Court of Appeals ruling in wage-theft investigation case against Madison Equities, Inc.

Dec 31, 2025•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed statutory cities' authority to call special elections for council vacancies under state law

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds City Authority in Orono Election Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Dec. 31 in *Dennis Walsh v. City of Orono* that statutory cities have clear authority to call special elections for council vacancies and that election challenge statutes properly apply to municipal election disputes.

•Court ruled that election challenge statutes properly apply to municipal election disputes involving city duties

Dec 24, 2025•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed constitutionality of unemployment fraud penalties under Minn. Stat. § 268.18, subd. 2

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds Unemployment Fraud Penalties

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that penalties imposed under state law for fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits do not violate the Excessive Fines Clauses of either the U.S. or Minnesota Constitutions. The decision in *Christopher Thigpen v. Best Home Care LLC* affirms lower court rulings and provides clarity on the constitutionality of Minnesota's unemployment fraud enforcement mechanisms.

•Court rejected Excessive Fines Clause challenges under both federal and state constitutions

Dec 24, 2025•4 min read

•Good-faith exception does not apply to pre-Torgerson marijuana odor searches

Minnesota Supreme Court Bars Good-Faith Exception in Pre-Torgerson Marijuana Searches

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule does not apply to warrantless vehicle searches conducted solely based on marijuana odor before the landmark *Torgerson* decision. The December 24, 2025 ruling in *State v. Douglas* strengthens Fourth Amendment protections and limits law enforcement's search authority.

•Court reversed conviction and remanded case for further proceedings

Dec 10, 2025•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court ruled attempted first-degree assault is a valid crime under state law

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Attempted First-Degree Assault Valid Crime

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that attempted first-degree assault under state law constitutes a valid crime, reversing a lower court decision in *State of Minnesota v. Lisa Dawn Oliver*. The December 10 decision addressed whether attempt charges can apply to assault offenses under Minnesota statutes.

•Court reversed divided appeals court panel that had overturned Lisa Dawn Oliver's conviction

Dec 3, 2025•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court declares warrantless DNA collection through buccal swabs unconstitutional

Minnesota Supreme Court: Warrantless DNA Collection Unconstitutional

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that warrantless collection of DNA samples through buccal swabs from criminal defendants violates both the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions. The December 3 decision in *State of Minnesota v. Seneca Warrior Steeprock* declares such searches unreasonable and requires a new trial for the defendant.

•Ruling requires new trial for defendant Seneca Warrior Steeprock due to constitutional violation

Nov 12, 2025•4 min read

•Court requires defendants refuse the specific chemical test type authorized by warrant, not just any test

Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies DWI Test Refusal Standards

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that DWI test refusal convictions require defendants to refuse the specific type of chemical test authorized by warrant. The court also affirmed that test refusal convictions based on warranted chemical tests do not violate Fourth Amendment protections.

•Test refusal convictions based on warranted chemical tests do not violate Fourth Amendment protections

Nov 12, 2025•4 min read

•Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a nonprofit's challenge to Rice County's use of electronic voting equipment was moot since the 2022 election had already occurred

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Election Challenge Moot in Rice County Case

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's dismissal of a nonprofit's challenge seeking to prevent Rice County from using electronic voting equipment with embedded modems during the 2022 general election. The court ruled the case was moot since the election had already occurred.

•Benda for Common-sense sought to prevent the use of embedded modems in voting equipment under Minnesota Statutes section 204B.44