Minnesota Courts Shutdown During COVID-19, Effective March 23, 2020 After Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency on March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Minnesota Supreme Court issued an order on March 20, 2020 suspending most proceedings in District Court effective March 23, 2020. District Court is where most people ordinarily

Domestic Abuse charges, Orders for Protection (OFP) and Domestic Abuse No Contact Orders (DANCO) When someone contacts the police regarding a claim of domestic abuse it is common for the accused person to be arrested and criminally charged with domestic abuse. The accused person is usually held in jail until seen by a judge. The

What to Expect in Felony Charges – The Legal Process Arraignment The first court appearance in a felony charge is called an arraignment, but it is often described more generally as a “first appearance”. The formal purpose of an arraignment is for the court to make sure you understand the charges and your constitutional rights

Criminal Offense Levels in Minnesota The lowest level offense in Minnesota is a petty misdemeanor. A petty misdemeanor is not considered a crime.  The maximum possible sentence for a petty misdemeanor is a fine of up to $300.00. A person convicted of a petty misdemeanor cannot be given any jail sentence. Ordinary speeding tickets, parking tickets

What to Expect in Misdemeanor Charges – The Legal Process. Arraignment The first court appearance in a misdemeanor criminal charge is called an arraignment, but it is often described more generally as a “first appearance”. The formal purpose of an arraignment is for the court to make sure you understand the charges and your constitutional

Criminal Sexual Conduct: Teens and Statutory Rape Charges Unfortunately, there are many cases where teenagers get charged with felony criminal sexual conduct as a result of consensual sexual activity. These charges are sometimes referred to as “statutory rape” charges because (for example) Minnesota statutes make it illegal for a person under the age of 16

Most criminal defense attorneys have been asked the question “How can you represent someone that you know is guilty?” There are many ways to answer that question, but an April 26, 2017 decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court provides some insight. There are often significant legal issues to address even when a person has clearly

For many years, criminal charges for illegal possession of drugs were almost always felonies. The main exception was possession of a small amount of marijuana, which was not a felony. But possession of more than a small amount of marijuana and possession of any amount of illegal street drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin carried

Probation Violations in Minnesota When someone is sentenced after pleading guilty or being found guilty of a felony, the court can either send the person to prison or place them on probation. When placing a person on probation the court normally stays the imposition or execution of sentence, so the prison time is “hanging over

Seat Belt Gag Rule The Minnesota “Seat Belt Gag Rule” currently provides that evidence of the use or failure to use seat belts and child car seats is not admissible in personal injury and property damage litigation arising out of car accidents. (See Minn. Stat. 169.685 Subd. 4.) The Minnesota Legislature House Civil Law Committee