Key cases
Winning landmark Minnesota court decisions
Shauna has vigorously defended the constitutionally-protected rights of Minnesotans for more than 15 years. Explore the legal and justice issues involved in these key Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court cases.
State of Minnesota v. Valdez
You do not have to retreat if the person you are defending cannot
Pablo Gutierrez was allegedly choking Julian Valdez’s stepbrother when Valdez fatally shot him in his brother’s defense.
Despite his right to self defense and the right to defend others, however, the District Court instructed the jury that Valdez had a duty to retreat. He was convicted of second-degree unintentional felony murder.
Shauna’s amicus brief argued that there is no duty to retreat until the harm being perpetrated on the person being defended has ceased. The Minnesota Supreme Court agreed with these arguments and, in its review of the case, affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision to reverse the conviction.
State of Minnesota v. Leonard
A hotel registry search must be supported by probable cause
When law enforcement approached a hotel clerk, requesting a list of guests who’d paid in cash and a guest registry inspection, they did so without prior suspicion of criminal activity. Their search led them to John Leonard, and the evidence they gathered from his hotel room was used to convict him of check forgery.
Shauna argued before the District Court that hotel guests have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and that warrantless hotel registry searches are unconstitutional.
Despite legal protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, the motion to suppress this illegally obtained evidence was denied. The Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s decision.
The Minnesota Supreme Court reviewed the case and, agreeing with Shauna’s argument, reversed the Court of Appeal’s decision.
State of Minnesota v. Jackson
A speedy trial preserves a fair legal process for all parties
Bobby James Jackson was accused of a serious crime, yet despite being fully aware of his address, he wasn’t taken into custody by Ramsey County law enforcement for a full year following the alleged crime.
Shauna argued before the Court of Appeals that Jackon’s due process rights were violated when he was denied his constitutionally-protected right to a speedy trial, noting that the loss or destruction of evidence over time can be detrimental to defendants and victims. She further argued that if the defendant was a danger, as Ramsey County suggested, then they also failed in their duty to protect public safety.
The Court of Appeals ruled that the one-year delay in arresting Jackson was excessive and it upheld the District Court’s decision.
Listen to Shauna’s oral argument.