Does your package fit the drug package profile? If so, there may be reasonable, articulable suspicion for the police to conduct a narcotics dog sniff. If the dog alerts to your package, probable cause will be established for the issuance of a search warrant. The United States Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution protect all citizens [...]
When can I use force to defend myself against a home invasion? Under Minnesota law, you are allowed to use a reasonable amount of force to defend yourself from an assault. The law allows the use force in self-defense during a home invasion when (1) you have not been aggressive toward or provoked the other [...]
The Minnesota firearm-enhancement statute applies to convictions for certain types of criminal offenses where a person had in possession or used a firearm at the time of the offense. The firearm-enhancement statute requires a person to serve a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than 3 years. The statute applies to the following criminal offenses: (1) [...]
Whoever threatens to commit a crime of violence with the intent to terrorize another person may be convicted of a felony. The state is required to prove that a person had the specific intent to terrorize another person. For example, if a person says, "I am going to poison you to death" this sounds like [...]
It's a misdemeanor crime in Minnesota for a "prostitute" to intentionally engage in prostitution. A prostitute is defined as an individual who engages in prostitution by being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to being hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact. The crime of prostitution essentially means agreeing to engage [...]
Snitching for the police has always been dangerous business. Police are very interested in climbing up the drug dealer food chain. They want to know who you bought your your drugs from and who else you may know that sells drugs. They want the big fish, not the small time dealer. Soon after your arrest, an investigator will come [...]
The crime of domestic assault by strangulation is a serious felony level offense in Minnesota. Strangulation means "intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of another." See Minnesota Statutes Section 609.2247. Strangulation can occur in three ways: (1) manual [...]
No, the police are not required to inform a criminal suspect about the existence of an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest. Prosecutors will usually request an arrest warrant when charging out a more serious case like aggravated assault or first degree controlled substance crime where the suspect poses a serious threat to public safety, or in situations where the accused has a [...]
Yes, this is what is called a physical control case. If you were under the influence of alcohol or tested above the legal limit, and were in a position to start the engine and operate the vehicle, you can be charged and convicted of a DWI. It doesn't matter that you never intended to start [...]
When you first find out that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you become scared and don't know what to do. The police have been coming over to your house or apartment, knocking on the door and asking questions. What steps should you take? The first step is to meet and retain an experienced Minnesota [...]
