2025 Session Last amended: 1985 session

§ 480.04 — Writs; Process

Plain-Language Summary

The Supreme Court can issue any type of legal order or writ to lower courts, businesses, or individuals. This includes writs of certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, and quo warranto, among others. Any single justice can order these writs issued.

480.04 WRITS; PROCESS.

The court shall have power to issue to all courts of inferior jurisdiction and to all corporations and individuals, writs of error, certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and all other writs and processes, whether especially provided for by statute or not, that are necessary to the execution of the laws and the furtherance of justice. It shall be always open for the issuance and return of such writs and processes and for the hearing and determination of all matters involved therein and for the entry in its minutes of such orders as may from time to time be necessary to carry out the power and authority conferred upon it by law, subject to such rules as it may prescribe. Any justice of the court, either in vacation or in term, may order the writ or process to issue and prescribe as to its service and return.

History:

(132) RL s 72; 1917 c 408 s 1; 1985 c 248 s 70

History: History: (132) RL s 72; 1917 c 408 s 1; 1985 c 248 s 70

Practical Notes

This gives the Supreme Court broad power to oversee lower courts and enforce the law. The court is always open for issuing writs and orders, not just during scheduled terms. This is the basis for the court’s supervisory authority over the entire Minnesota court system.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes