“Professor” Mike Brandt presented yesterday at the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Criminal Law seminar, “Everything But the Trial School.” He talked about tips and tricks for effective motion practice, based on his many years of experience.
Last week, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard final arguments regarding proposals to increase the amount of court records that are published online. Currently, court dispositions can be viewed online. But to see court records, such as criminal complaints or reports, one can only view them at a Minnesota courthouse, and must pay about $10 or more for printouts. Proponents of...
One of the biggest threats to the licensed pawn/secondhand dealer industry is the legal status of the property involved. The Minnesota statutes regulate the pawnbroker business, including how long records of transactions must be kept, the people who are eligible to pledge or sell property, and the place where pawned goods must be kept. During the transaction, pawnbrokers are required...
What is a “Statute of Limitations”? In the criminal setting, a statute of limitations is a statute that prescribes a maximum period of time after an event that the State can press criminal charges. A criminal prosecution must be commenced within a certain time for most criminal offenses. The limitation lengths vary by crime. Some crimes do not have any...
What Constitutes Kidnapping in Minnesota? Kidnapping in Minnesota is a crime that occurs when a person confines or removes any person without that person’s consent in order to commit the following: hold for ransom or as a hostage; as a way to commit a felony or flee from a felony; to terrorize the victim or another, or commit great bodily harm; to hold in involuntary servitude....
In Minnesota, a criminal sentence can be imposed in a variety of ways. Different sentences carry significannt implications for a person’s criminal record. This article will examine the different types of sentence dispositions. For comparison’s sake, let’s use the example of a First Degree Assault which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. But let’s assume the...