In an arraignment or first appearance, the judge will learn whether you have an attorney. The judge will also explain your charges if you wish. Then the conditions of your pre-trial release will be determined. In Minnesota, arraignment is the term used for misdemeanor charges, and first appearance is the term used for gross misdemeanor or [...]
A downward durational departure occurs when a judge decides to reduce the length of time you go to prison, or when the amount of time you face is reduced if you violate probation. Learn more
A downward dispositional departure occurs when the judge sentences someone who could go to prison, to probation instead. Read more.
A downward departure occurs when the judge sentences a person to a lower sentence than what is recommended under Minnesota sentencing guidelines. There are two types: durational and dispositional.
An Extreme Risk Protection Order is an order issued by a Minnesota court that prohibits a person from possessing or purchasing a firearm for a period of time. This is a new law that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Learn more about ERPO in Minnesota.
These members include spouses, former spouses, parents and children, people related by blood, people who live together or have lived together, people who have dated, people who have children together, pregnant women and the alleged fathers of their children, and persons involved in a significant romantic relationship.
A harassment restraining order is an order that prohibits a person from harassing or contacting another individual. Contact includes verbal, phone, text message, or through a third party. It can also prohibit a person from going to the protected party’s place of employment, residence, or other locations. Learn More
This insurance is meant to cover an employee’s medical and certain other expenses when an employee is injured on the job. Learn More
In Minnesota, all drivers are required to carry no-fault car insurance. Learn More
Assault in the Fourth Degree protects a special class of persons such as law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, correctional employees, vulnerable adult and others. There are five “degrees” of assault organized based upon severity level in Minnesota. 609.224 ASSAULT IN THE FOURTH DEGREE Learn more
To be found guilty of assault in the fifth degree, the person must: (1) commit an act with intent to cause fear in another of immediate bodily harm or death or; (2) intentionally inflict or attempted to inflict bodily harm upon another. There are five “degrees” of assault organized based upon severity level in Minnesota, Assault in the [...]
An expungement is a sealing of your criminal records. This action does not completely "erase" your criminal case history, but it does limit who can see it. If you record is expunged, a sealed state court record still exists but it is "invisible" to the general public. Most employers and landlords cannot see sealed records; law enforcement [...]
Many states have enacted “Romeo and Juliet” exceptions to protect young people from criminal charges as a result of consensual sexual activity with other young people. Minnesota’s laws criminalize any sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13. PERIOD. For children between the ages 13, 14, or 15 the age difference depends on whether there [...]
The age of consent in Minnesota is 16. Statutory rape occurs when a person older than 16-years engages in sexual contact (touching) or sexual penetration with a person under the age of 16. Consent is not a defense in these cases because the laws assume that no one under 16 can give valid consent. If you [...]
A predatory offender may be assigned a Risk Level of I, II, or III. An offender found to be a Risk Level I is considered the LEAST likely to re-offend and only local law enforcement and victims or witnesses are notified of the offenders release or relocation. An offender found to be a Risk Level II [...]
