DEFENSES

See also DEFENDANTS

Adverse claims to real property, value of improvements, taxes, and assessments, Minn. Statutes 2024 559.11

Advisory opinions, Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, Minn. Statutes 2024 10A.02

Agricultural chemicals

Act of God, Minn. Statutes 2024 18D.111, 18D.325

End user or landowner, application, Minn. Statutes 2024 18D.101

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 18D.325

Aircraft, operating under influence of alcohol or controlled substances, Minn. Statutes 2024 360.0752

Alcoholic beverages

Beer, kegs, illegal sales, Minn. Statutes 2024 340A.513

Children, consumption by, consent of parent or guardian, Minn. Statutes 2024 340A.503

Complicity defense, fault defined as, Minn. Statutes 2024 604.01

Illegal sales, Minn. Statutes 2024 340A.503, 340A.513, 340A.801

Intoxication defense, effect on intent, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.075

Proof of age, Minn. Statutes 2024 340A.503, 340A.703

Attempts at crime, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.17

Bank deposits and collections

Presentment warranties, breach, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.4-208, 336.4-302

Transfer warranties, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.4-207

Waivers, unauthorized signatures or alterations, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.4-406

Bankruptcy proceedings, employers, failure to pay benefits or wage supplements, Minn. Statutes 2024 181.74

Banks, shareholders, assessments, Minn. Statutes 2024 49.19

Beer, kegs, illegal sales, Minn. Statutes 2024 340A.513

Building accessibility, compliance with requirements, affirmative defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 363A.331

Bumpers, evidence of manufacture higher than prescribed height, affirmative defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 169.73

Campaign practices violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 211B.17

Child support

Criminal nonsupport, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.375

Nonparentage, Minn. Statutes 2024 518C.315

Nonpayment of support, Minn. Statutes 2024 518.612

Coercion for use in prostitution, excluded defenses, Minn. Statutes 2024 611A.81, 611A.82

Collateral estoppel, court of appeals decisions, precedential value, Minn. Statutes 2024 480A.08

Collectively bargained health care arrangements, violations, lack of knowledge not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 62H.15

Commercial e-mail messages, violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 325F.694

Consent

Consumer contracts, plain language, good faith effort to comply, Minn. Statutes 2024 325G.34

Consumer support grants, appeals, Minn. Statutes 2024 256.476

Contagious or infectious diseases, knowing transfer, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.2241

Contracts for deed, failure to record, Minn. Statutes 2024 507.235

Contributing to delinquency or status as juvenile petty offender, Minn. Statutes 2024 260B.425

Contributing to status as child in need of protection or services, Minn. Statutes 2024 260C.425

Controlled substances, sale, transfer, or delivery, Minn. Statutes 2024 152.097

Corporations, ratable assessments against shareholders, Minn. Statutes 2024 316.19

Crimes in other jurisdictions, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.025

Criminal vehicular homicide, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.2112

Criminal vehicular operation, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.2113, 609.2114

Dangerous dogs, harm caused by, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.226

Defamation, Minn. Statutes 2024 544.043

Delinquent property taxes, see Defenses or objections under PROPERTY TAXES

Dentists and dental auxiliaries, violations, generally, licenses, lack of, Minn. Statutes 2024 150A.12

Deprivation of custodial or parental rights, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.26

Devisees, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2024 573.16

Disabled persons, employment, unfair discriminatory practices, Minn. Statutes 2024 363A.25

Dishonored checks, affidavit of service, refusal to accept, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.535

Dissolution of marriage

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 518.06

Marital property, division, power of attorney, use not available as defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 518.58

Drivers' licenses, revocation, suspension, cancellation, or disqualification, notice, Minn. Statutes 2024 171.24

Driving while impaired, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 169A.46

Electronic communications, illegal access, Minn. Statutes 2024 626A.32

Emergency communications, kidnappings, telephone company employees, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.774

Employee leasing arrangements, violations, generally, lack of knowledge not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 62H.15

Employers, bankruptcy, failure to pay benefits or wage supplements, Minn. Statutes 2024 181.74

Energy conservation, violations, adequate remedy not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 216C.30

Eviction

Manufactured home parks, Minn. Statutes 2024 327C.10

Real property, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.285

Residential rental property, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.285

Failure to appear in court, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.49

Farm products, contracts, readability violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 17.9441

Farm tractors, claims of nonconformity, Minn. Statutes 2024 325F.6657

Female genital mutilation, consent, not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.2245

Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.2335

Force, justification or grounds for use

Children, reasonable force used on, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.379

Crime victims, force against perpetrators, Minn. Statutes 2024 611A.08

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.06, 609.066

Peace officers, Minn. Statutes 2024 346.57, 609.06, 629.33

Prisoners, force used on, Minn. Statutes 2024 243.52

Prohibitions, victim gender identity or sexual orientation, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.075

Rental property, entry by force, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.281

Resisting arrest, Minn. Statutes 2024 629.23

School bus drivers, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582

School personnel, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582, 123B.25

School principals, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582, 121A.61

Teachers, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582, 121A.61, 123B.25, 125A.0942, 609.379

Tear gas use, reasonable force, Minn. Statutes 2024 624.731

Fraudulent transfers, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 513.48

Governmental immunity

Liability insurance, effects, Minn. Statutes 2024 3.736, 16B.85

School districts, liability insurance, waivers, Minn. Statutes 2024 123B.23

Gratuities, agreements to work for less not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2024 177.27

Groundwater pollution in sensitive areas, Minn. Statutes 2024 103H.111

Halal foods, misrepresentation of non-Halal foods, Minn. Statutes 2024 31.658

Hazardous substances releases, liability claims, defenses, Minn. Statutes 2024 115B.04, 115B.05, 115B.175

Hazardous waste, air and water quality violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.671

Health and accident insurance, policies, limitation, Minn. Statutes 2024 62A.04

Heirs, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2024 573.16

Insanity, Minn. Statutes 2024 518.06, 611.026

Insurance, claims forms, absence of warnings not a defense for violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 60A.955

Insurance liquidators, assertion, duties, Minn. Statutes 2024 60B.25

Intoxication defense, effect on intent, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.075

Invention developers, contracts, bona fide error, Minn. Statutes 2024 325A.09

Investment securities, see Defenses under SECURITIES

Justification

Defamation, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.765

Force, use of, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.06, 609.066

Homicide, justifiable homicide, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.065

Labor trafficking, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.284

Landlords

Code violation inspection and condemnation orders, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.195

Code violations lawsuits, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.415

Utilities, interruption or termination, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.221

Legal separation, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 518.06

Legatees, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2024 573.16

Littering, civil liability, Minn. Statutes 2024 169.421

Lottery tickets, sale to minors, Minn. Statutes 2024 349A.12

Manslaughter

2d degree manslaughter, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.205

2d degree manslaughter of an unborn child, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.2665

Manufactured home parks, eviction, Minn. Statutes 2024 327C.10

Marijuana, possession or sale, Minn. Statutes 2024 18K.08

Medical malpractice lawsuits, counterclaims, pleading as, statutes of limitations, Minn. Statutes 2024 541.076

Minimum wage, agreements to work for less not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2024 177.27

Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association

Claims, rights, Minn. Statutes 2024 60C.05

Insolvent member insurers, proceedings, Minn. Statutes 2024 60C.195

Motor vehicle dealers, other remedies, not a defense to injunctions, Minn. Statutes 2024 168.27

Motor vehicle insurance, proof of insurance, defense for failure to provide, Minn. Statutes 2024 169.797

Motor vehicles, forfeiture, Minn. Statutes 2024 169A.63

Municipal land use planning, appeals from local government action, Minn. Statutes 2024 462.361

Neglect or endangerment of a child, failure to prevent, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.378

Negligence

Assumption of risk, see ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Comparative negligence, see COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE

Contributory negligence, see CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE

Last clear chance doctrine, abolished, Minn. Statutes 2024 604.01

Negotiable instruments

Alteration of instruments, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-406

Conditional issuance of instrument, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-105

Countersignatures, failure to make, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-106

Forged signatures, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-406

Issuance without consideration, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-303

Lack of notice, holders in due course, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-302

Nonissuance of instrument, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-105

Nonperformance of promises, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-303

Obligation to pay instrument, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-305

Other agreements, effect, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-117

Presentment warranties, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-417

Restrictive endorsements, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-206

Signatures, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-308

Transfer warranties, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-416

Wrongful refusal to pay, Minn. Statutes 2024 336.3-411

Next of kin, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2024 573.16

No-fault automobile insurance, proof of insurance, failure to produce, Minn. Statutes 2024 169.791

No or insufficient consideration, employment agency fees, notes, Minn. Statutes 2024 184.38

Nursery stock, violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 18J.10

Overtime, agreements to work for less not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2024 177.27

Pari-mutuel betting, underage bettors, identification, Minn. Statutes 2024 240.13

Partition of real estate, disputes between parties, Minn. Statutes 2024 558.05

Pen registers, trap and trace devices, and mobile tracking devices, Minn. Statutes 2024 626A.391

Perjury, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.48

Plant pests, violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 18J.10

Plants (vegetation), violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 18J.10

Pornographic works involving minors, Minn. Statutes 2024 617.245 to 617.247

Product liability, useful life of product, expiration, Minn. Statutes 2024 604.03

Property taxes, see Defenses or objections under PROPERTY TAXES

Prostitution, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.325

Public transportation facilities, unfair discriminatory practices, Minn. Statutes 2024 363A.11

Reasonable force, see Force, justification or grounds for use under this topic

Receivers, Minn. Statutes 2024 576.28

Reportable multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs), violations, lack of knowledge not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 62H.15

School bus drivers, reasonable force, use, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582

School districts, school buses, advertising on, Minn. Statutes 2024 123B.93

School officials, Fair Dismissal Act, technical violations, good faith exception, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.48

School personnel, force used by, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582, 123B.25

School principals, reasonable force, use, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582

Seeds, violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 18J.10

Self-defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.06, 609.065

Sex crimes

Coercion for use in prostitution, excluded defenses, Minn. Statutes 2024 611A.81, 611A.82

Sexual psychopathic personality, not defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 253D.07

Sexually dangerous person status, not defense, Minn. Statutes 2024 253D.07

Solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.352

Sex trafficking, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.284

Sexual misconduct, chiropractors, Minn. Rules 2500.6050

Shooting victims, failure to aid, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.662

Signatures, credit agreements, absence, effect, Minn. Statutes 2024 513.33

Smoking regulations, Minn. Statutes 2024 327.742

Soil conservation, good faith practices, Minn. Statutes 2024 103F.441

Solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.352

Taxes

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 271.09

Jeopardy assessments, Minn. Statutes 2024 270C.36

Teachers, force used by, Minn. Statutes 2024 121A.582, 123B.25

Tenants, eviction actions, Minn. Statutes 2024 504B.285

Theft, trade secrets, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.52

Timber cutting on state lands, Minn. Statutes 2024 90.301

Tobacco, tobacco related devices, or electronic delivery devices

Sales, age verification omission, Minn. Statutes 2024 461.22

Sales to children, municipal license violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 461.12

Sales to persons under age 21, reliance on proof of age, driver's license or Minnesota identification card, Minn. Statutes 2024 609.685

Traffic accidents, drivers, leaving scene of accident to obtain medical aid, Minn. Statutes 2024 169.09

Traffic sign or signal violations, motorcyclists or bicyclists, entering or crossing intersections against red light, Minn. Statutes 2024 169.06

Trespass, Minn. Statutes 2024 471.985

Trust companies, shareholders, assessments, Minn. Statutes 2024 49.19

Unauthorized insurers, Minn. Statutes 2024 60A.21

Wild animals, violations, Minn. Statutes 2024 35.95

Wiretapping, Minn. Statutes 2024 626A.13

Workers' compensation

Fraud, claim forms, criminal penalties notice, Minn. Statutes 2024 176.178

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2024 176.001 to 176.862

Willful negligence, Minn. Statutes 2024 176.031