A man in Oklahoma was recently arrested and charged with reckless driving and attempting to elude law enforcement. The man allegedly turned off his headlights after an Oklahoma State Trooper attempted to stop him. Law enforcement further alleges the man reached speeds of 208 miles per hour in his 2011 Ford Mustang before the law… Read more »
BB guns are not firearms – MN Court of Appeals follows Supremes
Last month, the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed a felony conviction holding that air-powered BB guns not firearms for purposes of the possession of firearms statute. Today, the Minnesota Court of Appeals in Lue Yang followed the Supreme Court, extending the reasonable and rational definition of a firearm to the ‘Ineligible Persons’ firearm statute, prohibiting the… Read more »
BB Guns are not firearms – MN Supreme Court Reverses Felony Conviction
The Minnesota Supreme Court issued an opinion today that an air-powered BB gun is not a firearm for purposes of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and other illegal firearm possession crimes. The court reversed the felony-level prohibited person in possession of a firearm conviction. Prior to today’s decision in the Haywood case, MN courts… Read more »
Minneapolis Passes Police Body Camera Program
On Monday, September 15, 2014, the Minneapolis City Council approved a pilot study for Minneapolis Police Department Officers to wear body cameras. The City Council voted in favor of two, year-long contracts with two law enforcement body camera companies. The contracts for the officer-worn body camera evaluation provide for the camera equipment, service, and video… Read more »
Smell of Marijuana Is Not Probable Cause to Search in MA
In two separate cases on Wednesday, Massachusetts’ highest court ruled the odor of unburnt marijuana alone does not amount to probable cause to search automobiles. Based on the decriminalization of one ounce or less of marijuana in the state, in 2011 the same court in Commonwealth v. Cruz held the smell of burnt marijuana no… Read more »
New MN Criminal Record Expungement Law for 2015
Governor Mark Dayton signed the Second Chance Expungement Bill into law yesterday. The new law will give much needed relief to individuals whose employment goals and housing options have been hindered by past criminal convictions. Unlike the current law where a finding or admission of guilt prevents someone from ever sealing arrest and booking records… Read more »
MN House passes bill to limit DWI immunity for legislators
April 10, 2014 Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed H.F. 2281 with a vote of 115-13 in favor of the bill. The bill has been forwarded on to the State Senate for consideration. The bill, if enacted into law, would make a DWI a “breach of the peace,” allowing the lawmaker to be arrested… Read more »
MN Bill to prohibit websites from charging a fee to remove mugshots
A bill that would prohibit the practice of private mugshot websites charging a fee to remove booking photos is making its way through the Minnesota legislature. HF1940 would modify the language of Minnesota Statute § 13.82 to prohibit the publishing of a booking photograph if that website requires payment of a fee to remove the… Read more »
MN Supreme Court rules aiding suicide statute unconstitutional
In March of 2011, William Melchert-Dinkel was convicted in Rice County District Court of two felony counts of aiding suicide in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.215. It is alleged Mr. Melchert-Dinkel responded to posts on suicide websites of two individuals located outside of the United States, and encouraged the two to commit suicide. The… Read more »
Employment applications prohibited from asking about convictions under new MN law
Today, a new 2014 law went into effect that prohibits private employers from inquiring into an applicant’s criminal history on an initial application. The intention of the “Ban the Box” law is allow applicants to land an interview based in their training and experience, and give the applicant an opportunity to explain any criminal history… Read more »