Minnesota Legalized Marijuana On August 1, 2023, the new marijuana law takes effect in Minnesota. The new law will allow possession of up to 2 pounds of marijuana in possession in your home, or up to 2 ounces in a motor vehicle’s trunk/cargo area. The law will also permit growing up to 8 plants on… Read more »
Seattle Vacates Hundreds of Marijuana Convictions
Seattle is vacating hundreds of misdemeanor marijuana convictions that occurred prior to the State of Washington legalizing recreational marijuana in 2012. The municipal court is vacating all misdemeanor marijuana convictions prosecuted by the Seattle City Attorney since 1996, when the city first took over prosecutions from the county. Because the conduct related to the convictions… Read more »
New MN Law Outlaws Fake Service Animals
As of August 1, 2018, it against the law in Minnesota to use fake service animals. The new offense makes it unlawful to to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal in an attempt to receive the same rights and privileges as someone who qualifies as disabled under the law and needs a service… Read more »
Judge Wapner Passes Away at 97
Judge Wapner, also know as Judge Joseph Albert Wapner, passed away today at the age of 97, reportedly passing peacefully in his sleep. Judge Wapner was the the judge on the famous television show “The People’s Court”. Judge Wapner presided over conciliation court disputes on the show from 1981 to 1993. Growing up in the… Read more »
MN Bill Would Prohibit Phone Calls While Driving
A bill that would make it a crime to make phone calls while driving, and otherwise use wireless devices while driving, unless in hands free mode is moving forward in the legislature and is expected to pass as a law. Currently, Minnesota law prohibits composing, reading, or sending electronic messages, when the vehicle is in… Read more »
Nervous behavior alone is not enough for pat-down search
The MN Court of Appeals reversed a Felony 5th Degree Drug conviction where the officer discovered drugs after searching the defendant. The officer’s basis for the pat-search was largely based on the defendant acting nervous and placing his hands in his pockets. The Court held that the officer did not have “reasonable, articulable suspicion of… Read more »
Chicago Gun Range Restrictions Violate 2nd Amendment
The 7th District Federal Court of Appeals ruled that age and zoning restrictions placed on gun ranges in the City Chicago violates the 2nd Amendment by being overly broad. Chicago city ordinances had prohibited anyone under 18 years-old from entering a gun range in the city. Additionally, gun ranges were only allowed in manufacturing districts… Read more »
Court Orders Defendant to Unlock Phone with Fingerprint
This week the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued an opinion upholding an Order requiring a criminal defendant to submit fingerprints to unlock a cell phone. The Court held that a defendant’s 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination is not violated when they are ordered to provide fingerprints to unlock a telephone. The court reasoned that providing… Read more »
Collateral Consequences of Convictions: What Your Lawyer Doesn’t Have to Tell You
As explained on most of the pages on the website, jail, prison, fines, and probation are just some of the direct consequences you may be facing when charged with a crime. However, many of the consequences stemming from a conviction are collateral, and not directly ordered by criminal court. Many of these collateral consequences are… Read more »
Hoping Someone Gets Killed Not Terroristic Threats: MN Court Appeals
Yesterday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a conviction of Felony Terroristic Threats based on an alleged threat to a state trooper. During questioning regarding a DWI breath test by the trooper, the motorist told the trooper the following: “It is no wonder people are killing you guys. I truly hope that you are one of… Read more »