Minnesota Court of Appeals Clarifies Stop-Arm Law: What State v. Waln Means for Your Case
February 10, 2026 | admin
In September 2025, the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued a major decision interpreting the state’s school‑bus stop‑arm statute. The case, State v. Waln, reshapes how courts must evaluate whether a stop‑arm violation occurred under Minn. Stat. § 169.444. Below, we break down what happened, how the court reached its decision, and what this means if you or someone you know has been charged with a stop‑arm violation. What Happened in State v. Waln? The case arose from an incident in Baxter, Minnesota, in which a driver was accused of failing to stop for a school bus. At trial, the State argued that the driver violated Minn. Stat. § 169.444, subd. 2(a), by driving past a stopped bus while its stop‑signal arm and flashing red lights were activated. A jury convicted her. But on appeal, the evidence told a more precise story. Critical Video Evidence Uncontested video footage showed Waln’s truck was already within 20 feet of the bus before the stop‑arm fully extended. The appellate court noted that the stop-arm took about two seconds to fully deploy, and the driver passed the bus “just as the arm reached its full outward position.” The Statutory Question Minnesota law requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away when a school bus is stopped and “displaying an…
Read MoreWhat Is a Prenup and Why Should You Get One?
February 3, 2026 | Jason C. Brown
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract that two future spouses make with each other before getting married. Its primary purpose is to outline how assets and debts will be divided in the event the marriage ends due to divorce or the death of one spouse. While a prenup may seem uncomfortable to discuss with your future spouse, it’s an incredibly practical tool used to protect both of your finances. Let’s take a closer look at what prenups are, how they work, what they’re used for, and why to get one. How Does a Prenup Work? Generally, a prenup lists each person’s assets and debts. Assets include cash, bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, investments, and valuable items such as cars. The agreement then states specific instructions for how each asset and debt should be allocated if the marriage ends. A prenup can cover future assets and earnings in addition to present assets. A prenup can also detail how expenses and debts should be allocated during the marriage, not just after it. What Is a Prenup Used for? A prenup protects the financial interests of both parties before a marriage is finalized. It’s useful for any couple entering marriage, not just for the wealthy. A prenup is especially useful if one or both…
Read MoreUnderstanding Vanessa’s Law for Teen Drivers in Minnesota
January 21, 2026 | Adriel B. Villarreal
Minnesota teen drivers who are convicted of an impaired driving crime or crash-related moving violation are subject to a penalty that would bar them from driving until they are at least 18 years old. This penalty is due to Vanessa’s Law. If you or your child are at risk of losing driving privileges because of Vanessa’s Law, an attorney can help you secure the best possible outcome. What Is Vanessa’s Law in Minnesota? Vanessa’s Law is a Minnesota statute that restricts driving privileges for teens convicted of an impaired driving crime or crash-related moving violation. Teens penalized under Vanessa’s Law cannot obtain a driver’s license until they are at least 18. There are slight differences in how the law applies to unlicensed teens versus teens with provisional licenses, which we’ll explain below. Vanessa’s Law was passed in May of 2004, one year after Vanessa Weiss was killed just days before turning 16. Vanessa was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old. Vanessa’s Law was named in her memory and aims to protect people from injuries and fatal accidents caused by teen drivers. How Vanessa’s Law Applies to Unlicensed Teens Unlicensed teens convicted of a crash-related moving violation or alcohol/controlled substance violation cannot receive a license, provisional license, or instruction permit…
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