In the 1989 holiday classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Clark Griswold is hoping to have the perfect old-fashioned family Christmas. Although perfect is the last word to describe what actually happens in the film, the movie still makes viewers laugh and serves as a nice reminder of how “normal” our own families are.
The words “bail” and “bond” are often used as if they mean same thing, but they are slightly different. While both are a way for a person to be released from incarceration while awaiting trial, “bail” is a monetary amount set by a judge that a person must pay, and a “bond” is a promise, usually in the form of money paid by a bond company (sometimes referred to as a “bail bondsman”), who has been hired by a defendant, which also sometimes requires collateral to secure.
Given that many dogs are legally required to be on a leash in many cities (including Minneapolis, it may seem like a safe assumption that a dog’s life is more regulated than a human’s. Yet, in one area of criminal law, the opposite is true: Public Urination. That’s right, where a dog is free to pee in Minnesota, a human may be charged with a misdemeanor.
The Minnesota Legislature recently passed gun legislation (Senate File Number 878) that took effect August 1, 2015. One part of the bill legalized firearm suppressors or silencers. These are defined under Minn. Stat. 609.66, Subd. 1a(c) as “any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm . . .” However, it’s still a felony to sell...
Deer Hunting Season with a Firearm Opens November 9th this year. Many people in Minnesota are unaware they are subject to a prohibition on possessing firearms. If you have ever been convicted or even adjudicated delinquent as a juvenile of any felony offense listed below, you may be subject to a lifetime prohibition on possessing firearms. THIS IS EVEN THOUGH...
Several police departments in Minnesota are currently using large prostitution sting operations, ranging from southern Minnesota to the metro area. These sting operations are often accomplished by law enforcement using ads on craigslist.com and backpage.com, and they have resulted in several people being charged with prostitution accross the state. While the “basics” of prostitution in Minnesota are complex, understanding how prostitution be charged by law enforcement and what the penalties are can help clear up confusion.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has just held that a criminal charge of refusal to submit to a warrantless search of their blood is unconstitutional! In State v. Trahan, the Minnesota Court of Appeals held that a fundamental right is implicated when a person refuses to give the state their blood, and therefore, at least without a warrant, this charge is...
The United States Justice Department announced it will begin ending the sentences of 6,000 federal inmates who will start to be released later this month. The profiles of these inmates are “non-violent, low-level” drug offenders who have already served substantial sentences. It is possible that up to tens of thousands of inmates in similar circumstances will be released over the...
It may surprise you to learn that Public Intoxication in Minnesota is not actually a crime–at least in and of itself. In fact, Minnesota Statute 340A.902 explicitly states: “ No person may be charged with or convicted of the offense of drunkenness or public drunkenness.” The language in this statute does not, however, mean that drunkenness does not play a...
Car accidents are, by nature, unexpected. So it makes sense that in the stress and confusion of an accident people forget to take basic steps to avoid further issues accidents bring. While accidents do not automatically implicate criminal culpability, they can trigger criminal charges if not dealt with properly. Understanding the basics on hit and run can help avoid criminal charges, and if you are charged with Hit and Run, then speaking with a criminal defense attorney can mitigate or avoid criminal consequences.
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