DEFENSES

See also DEFENDANTS

Adultery, woman's marital status unknown, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.36

Adverse claims to real property, value of improvements, taxes, and assessments, Minn. Statutes 2017 559.11

Advisory opinions, Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, Minn. Statutes 2017 10A.02

Agricultural chemicals

Act of God, Minn. Statutes 2017 18D.111, 18D.325

End user or landowner, application, Minn. Statutes 2017 18D.101

Sabotage, Minn. Statutes 2017 18D.325

Vandalism, Minn. Statutes 2017 18D.325

War, Minn. Statutes 2017 18D.325

Aircraft, operating under influence of alcohol or controlled substances, Minn. Statutes 2017 360.0752

Alcoholic beverages

Beer, kegs, illegal sales, Minn. Statutes 2017 340A.513

Children, consumption by, consent of parent or guardian, Minn. Statutes 2017 340A.503

Complicity defense, fault defined as, Minn. Statutes 2017 604.01

Illegal sales, Minn. Statutes 2017 340A.503, 340A.513, 340A.801

Intoxication defense, effect on intent, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.075

Proof of age, Minn. Statutes 2017 340A.503, 340A.703

Attempts at crime, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.17

Bank deposits and collections

Presentment warranties, breach, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.4-208, 336.4-302

Transfer warranties, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.4-207

Waivers, unauthorized signatures or alterations, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.4-406

Bankruptcy proceedings, employers, failure to pay benefits or wage supplements, Minn. Statutes 2017 181.74

Banks, shareholders, assessments, Minn. Statutes 2017 49.19

Beer, kegs, illegal sales, Minn. Statutes 2017 340A.513

Boats and boating, boating while intoxicated, Minn. Statutes 2017 86B.331

Building accessibility, compliance with requirements, affirmative defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 363A.331

Bumpers, evidence of manufacture higher than prescribed height, affirmative defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 169.73

Campaign practices violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 211B.17

Child support

Criminal nonsupport, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.375

Nonparentage, Minn. Statutes 2017 518C.315

Nonpayment of support, Minn. Statutes 2017 518.612

Coercion for use in prostitution, excluded defenses, Minn. Statutes 2017 611A.81, 611A.82

Collateral estoppel, Court of Appeals decisions, precedential value, Minn. Statutes 2017 480A.08

Collectively bargained health care arrangements, violations, lack of knowledge not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 62H.15

Commercial e-mail messages, violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 325F.694

Consent, see specific index headings for crimes

Consumer contracts, plain language, good faith effort to comply, Minn. Statutes 2017 325G.34

Consumer support grants, appeals, Minn. Statutes 2017 256.476

Contagious or infectious diseases, knowing transfer, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.2241

Contracts for deed

Assignments, failure to record, Minn. Statutes 2017 507.235

Failure to record, Minn. Statutes 2017 507.235

Contributing to delinquency or status as juvenile petty offender, Minn. Statutes 2017 260B.425

Contributing to status as child in need of protection or services, Minn. Statutes 2017 260C.425

Controlled substances

Marijuana, possession or sale, Minn. Statutes 2017 152.027

Sale, transfer, or delivery, Minn. Statutes 2017 152.097

Corporations, ratable assessments against shareholders, Minn. Statutes 2017 316.19

Crimes in other jurisdictions, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.025

Criminal vehicular homicide, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.2112

Criminal vehicular operation, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.2113, 609.2114

Dangerous dogs, harm caused by, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.226

Defamation, Minn. Statutes 2017 544.043

Delinquent property taxes, see Defenses or objections under PROPERTY TAXES

Dentists and dental auxiliaries, violations, generally, licenses, lack of, Minn. Statutes 2017 150A.12

Deprivation of custodial or parental rights, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.26

Devisees, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2017 573.16

Disabled persons, employment, unfair discriminatory practices, Minn. Statutes 2017 363A.25

Dishonored checks, affidavit of service, refusal to accept, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.535

Dissolution of marriage

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 518.06

Marital property, division, power of attorney, use not available as defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 518.58

Drivers' licenses, revocation, suspension, cancellation, or disqualification, notice, Minn. Statutes 2017 171.24

Driving while impaired, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 169A.46

Electronic communications, illegal access, Minn. Statutes 2017 626A.32

Emergency communications, kidnappings, telephone company employees, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.774

Employee leasing arrangements, violations, generally, lack of knowledge not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 62H.15

Employers, bankruptcy, failure to pay benefits or wage supplements, Minn. Statutes 2017 181.74

Energy conservation, violations, adequate remedy not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 216C.30

Eviction

Manufactured home parks, Minn. Statutes 2017 327C.10

Real property, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.285

Residential rental property, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.285

Failure to appear in court, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.49

Farm products, contracts, readability violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 17.9441

Farm tractors, claims of nonconformity, Minn. Statutes 2017 325F.6657

Female genital mutilation, consent, not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.2245

Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.2335

Fire or police state aid, forfeiture, no defense, failure to receive certificate form, Minn. Statutes 2017 69.011

Force, justification or grounds for use

Child abuse, exclusion of reasonable force, Minn. Statutes 2017 626.556

Children, reasonable force used on, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.379

Crime victims, force against perpetrators, Minn. Statutes 2017 611A.08

Deadly force, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.066

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.06, 609.066

Peace officers, Minn. Statutes 2017 346.57, 609.06, 629.33

Prisoners, force used on, Minn. Statutes 2017 243.52

Rental property, entry by force, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.281

Resisting arrest, Minn. Statutes 2017 629.23

School bus drivers, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582

School personnel, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582, 123B.25

School principals, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582, 121A.61

Teachers, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582, 121A.61, 123B.25, 125A.0942, 609.379

Tear gas use, reasonable force, Minn. Statutes 2017 624.731

Fraudulent transfers, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 513.48

Governmental immunity

Liability insurance, effects, Minn. Statutes 2017 3.736, 16B.85

School districts, liability insurance, waivers, Minn. Statutes 2017 123B.23

Gratuities, agreements to work for less not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2017 177.27

Groundwater pollution in sensitive areas, Minn. Statutes 2017 103H.111

Halal foods, misrepresentation of non-Halal foods, Minn. Statutes 2017 31.658

Hazardous substances releases, liability claims, defenses, Minn. Statutes 2017 115B.04, 115B.05, 115B.175

Hazardous waste, air and water quality violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.671

Health and accident insurance, policies, limitation, Minn. Statutes 2017 62A.04

Heirs, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2017 573.16

Housing with services establishments, personal service not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2017 144D.03

Insanity, Minn. Statutes 2017 518.06, 611.026

Insurance, claims forms, absence of warnings not a defense for violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 60A.955

Insurance liquidators, assertion, duties, Minn. Statutes 2017 60B.25

Intoxication defense, effect on intent, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.075

Invention developers, contracts, bona fide error, Minn. Statutes 2017 325A.09

Investment securities, see Defenses under SECURITIES

Justification

Defamation, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.765

Force, use of, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.06, 609.066

Homicide, justifiable homicide, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.065

Labor trafficking, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.284

Landlords

Code violation inspection and condemnation orders, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.195

Code violations lawsuits, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.415

Tenant eviction, contraband or controlled substances, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.5317

Utilities, interruption or termination, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.221

Legal separation, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 518.06

Legatees, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2017 573.16

Littering, civil liability, Minn. Statutes 2017 169.421

Lottery tickets, sale to minors, Minn. Statutes 2017 349A.12

Manslaughter

2d degree manslaughter, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.205

2d degree manslaughter of an unborn child, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.2665

Manufactured home parks, eviction, Minn. Statutes 2017 327C.10

Marijuana, possession or sale, Minn. Statutes 2017 18K.08

Medical malpractice lawsuits, counterclaims, pleading as, statutes of limitations, Minn. Statutes 2017 541.076

Minimum wage, agreements to work for less not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2017 177.27

Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association

Claims, rights, Minn. Statutes 2017 60C.05

Insolvent member insurers, proceedings, Minn. Statutes 2017 60C.195

Motor vehicle dealers, other remedies, not a defense to injunctions, Minn. Statutes 2017 168.27

Motor vehicle insurance, proof of insurance, defense for failure to provide, Minn. Statutes 2017 169.797

Motor vehicles, forfeiture, Minn. Statutes 2017 169A.63

Municipal land use planning, appeals from local government action, Minn. Statutes 2017 462.361

Neglect or endangerment of a child, failure to prevent, Minn. Statutes 2017 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 2017 604.01

Negotiable instruments

Alteration of instruments, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-406

Conditional issuance of instrument, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-105

Countersignatures, failure to make, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-106

Forged signatures, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-406

Issuance without consideration, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-303

Lack of notice, holders in due course, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-302

Nonissuance of instrument, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-105

Nonperformance of promises, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-303

Obligation to pay instrument, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-305

Other agreements, effect, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-117

Presentment warranties, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-417

Restrictive endorsements, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-206

Signatures, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-308

Transfer warranties, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-416

Wrongful refusal to pay, Minn. Statutes 2017 336.3-411

Next of kin, liability, prior debts, Minn. Statutes 2017 573.16

No-fault automobile insurance, proof of insurance, failure to produce, Minn. Statutes 2017 169.791

No or insufficient consideration, employment agency fees, notes, Minn. Statutes 2017 184.38

Nursery stock, violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 18J.10

Overtime, agreements to work for less not a defense to action, Minn. Statutes 2017 177.27

Pari-mutuel betting, underage bettors, identification, Minn. Statutes 2017 240.13

Partition of real estate, disputes between parties, Minn. Statutes 2017 558.05

Pen registers, trap and trace devices, and mobile tracking devices, Minn. Statutes 2017 626A.391

Perjury, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.48

Plant pests, violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 18J.10

Plants (vegetation), violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 18J.10

Pornographic works involving minors

Affirmative defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 617.246

Consent, mistake, no defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 617.245 to 617.247

Product liability, useful life of product, expiration, Minn. Statutes 2017 604.03

Property taxes, see Defenses or objections under PROPERTY TAXES

Prostitution, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.325

Public transportation facilities, unfair discriminatory practices, Minn. Statutes 2017 363A.11

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

Receivers, Minn. Statutes 2017 576.28

Reportable multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs), violations, lack of knowledge not a defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 62H.15

School bus drivers, reasonable force, use, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582

School districts, school buses, advertising on, Minn. Statutes 2017 123B.93

School officials, Fair Dismissal Act, technical violations, good faith exception, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.48

School personnel, force used by, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582, 123B.25

School principals, reasonable force, use, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582

Seeds, violations, generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 18J.10

Self-defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.06, 609.065

Sex crimes

Coercion for use in prostitution, excluded defenses, Minn. Statutes 2017 611A.81, 611A.82

Sexual psychopathic personality, not defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 253D.07

Sexually dangerous person status, not defense, Minn. Statutes 2017 253D.07

Solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.352

Sex trafficking, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.284

Shooting victims, failure to aid, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.662

Signatures, credit agreements, absence, effect, Minn. Statutes 2017 513.33

Smoking regulations, Minn. Statutes 2017 327.742

Soil conservation, good faith practices, Minn. Statutes 2017 103F.441

Solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.352

Taxes

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 271.09

Jeopardy assessments, Minn. Statutes 2017 270C.36

Teachers, force used by, Minn. Statutes 2017 121A.582, 123B.25

Tenants, eviction actions, Minn. Statutes 2017 504B.285

Theft, trade secrets, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.52

Timber cutting on state lands, Minn. Statutes 2017 90.301

Tobacco, tobacco related devices, or electronic delivery devices, sales to children

Municipal license violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 461.12

Reliance on proof of age, driver's license or Minnesota identification card, Minn. Statutes 2017 609.685

Traffic accidents, drivers, leaving scene of accident to obtain medical aid, Minn. Statutes 2017 169.09

Traffic sign or signal violations, motorcyclists or bicyclists, entering or crossing intersections against red light, Minn. Statutes 2017 169.06

Trespass, Minn. Statutes 2017 471.985

Trust companies, shareholders, assessments, Minn. Statutes 2017 49.19

Unauthorized insurers, Minn. Statutes 2017 60A.21

Volunteer firefighter relief associations, membership, exclusions, Minn. Statutes 2017 424A.01

Wild animals, violations, Minn. Statutes 2017 35.95

Wiretapping, Minn. Statutes 2017 626A.13

Workers' compensation

Fraud, claim forms, criminal penalties notice, Minn. Statutes 2017 176.178

Generally, Minn. Statutes 2017 176.001 to 176.862

Willful negligence, Minn. Statutes 2017 176.031