If you miss a court date in a criminal case in Minnesota, the judge will usually issue a bench warrant for your arrest. That means law enforcement can take you into custody at any time until the warrant is cleared, in addition to other important consequences. If you’ve missed a court date, promptly contact a criminal [...]
Police and prosecutors are not allowed to arrest or charge a person with a crime based on race, religion or political belief. If you believe you have been illegally arrested or charged, you may be able argue the defense of discriminatory enforcement or selective prosecution. Learn More
Being in physical control of a vehicle doesn't necessarily mean you were driving. A car, boat or other vehicle may be parked, or you may be sleeping in the vehicle, but you still could be determined to be "in physical control". Learn more.
Yes. It is possible to be charged with or be guilty of DWI/DUI if it is determined that you were in physical control of the vehicle. Determining factors can include location of keys, whether the engine is running and where a suspect is located in the vehicle. Learn more.
When is a traffic stop legal? Law enforcement must have at least reasonable, articulable suspicion for any traffic stop in Minnesota. This means they must be able to point to specific facts that they believe show that you are involved in criminal activity. Learn more.
The eligibility requirements for OFP in Minnesota include specific types of relationships between the individuals involved; however, an HRO does not require any relationship between the parties. Learn more about Orders for Protection in Minnesota.
In Minnesota, a petitioner having a specific relationship with another person may request an order for protection, or OFP, that serves to protect them from continuing harassment or abuse. Learn more.
You cannot file an appeal until your case is finished, including conviction and sentencing. In Minnesota, for petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor cases, you have 30 days from the date of your sentence to appeal. For gross misdemeanor and felony cases, you have 90 days from the date of sentencing. Learn more.
In Minnesota, your criminal case can be appealed after your initial court case is finished. There are required timelines and a process to follow, including written and oral arguments. Learn more.
If and when a person can get out of jail while their case is pending depends on many different factors. Learn more.
The 48-hour rule states that whenever a person is arrested without a warrant, they may not be detained longer than 48 hours after arrest unless a criminal complaint has been signed by a judge or a judge has made a probable cause determination in another way. Learn more.
The 36-hour rule: If someone is arrested without a warrant and put in jail, they must appear in front of a judge no more than 36 hours after their arrest. But the 36 hours does not include the day of arrest, Sundays, and legal holidays. Learn more.
The DataMaster or DMT is a breath test machine that is used to determine officially whether a driver has a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater. If they do, they will likely be charged with DWI. Under the implied consent law, drivers are required to take this test if law enforcement has probable cause [...]
A preliminary breath test or PBT is a test that is used to determine if a driver is under the influence of alcohol prior to arrest. If a driver blows .08 or greater, they will be arrested. Law enforcement needs at least reasonable, articulable suspicion to request that a driver submit to a PBT. The [...]
Maybe. Colleges may deny admission, or certain loans or financing opportunities may not be available to you if you have a criminal sexual conduct conviction in Minnesota. Learn more.
