It is one of the most widely known constitutional amendments, the 5th, the right to not incriminate yourself. Almost everyone has at least a basic understand of it, from TV if nothing else. Despite knowing about it, most people do not use it when they need to. I...
Criminal Defense
Reviewing Minnesota’s expungement criteria
Those convicted of a crime in Minnesota often fear what the long-term repercussions of their convictions may be (no matter the crime they stand accused of committing). Their fears are often justified; having a criminal record can negatively impact one's future ability...
What happens if I fail to register as a sex offender?
If you have been arrested for and charged with a sexual offense in Minnesota, you will want to understand some of the consequences that you may experience should your arrest result in a conviction. Some sex crime convictions require that the person participate in the...
What are the levels of sex offenders in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, as with most other states, if you are convicted of certain sexual crimes, you may be ordered to register as a sex offender via the state's sex offender registry program. The length of your registration may vary depending on the nature of your specific...
Report shows that the racial divide in prisons is narrowing
Racial disparities among state prison inmates in Minnesota and around the country are becoming much less pronounced, but the figures show that African Americans are still incarcerated at much higher rates than whites. This was just one of the conclusions found in a...
Experts question the value of forensic evidence
Minnesota residents who watch shows like 'CSI" on television may be surprised to learn that questions have been raised about the validity of forensic evidence and the qualifications of the experts who provide it. After studying the way hairs, fingerprints and fibers...
How witness testimony can influence a criminal proceeding
Minnesota residents could be harmed if a police officer engages in misconduct. In some cases, misconduct could include lying on a witness stand or otherwise providing inaccurate information in a criminal matter. Recognizing this possibility, groups in Florida,...
Monitoring devices and apps could reinforce racist views
In Minnesota and throughout the country, people use apps and social media channels to keep tabs on what is going on in their communities. However, these apps may not be the best way to stay informed about local events or issues. In some cases, the alerts that they...
Innocent people could spend years in prison
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, prisoners in Minnesota and throughout the country lost over 1,600 years to wrongful convictions in 2018. That was the highest figure since this statistic was first tracked in 1989. In 2018, there were 151 prisoners...
Can’t jump to conclusions
I just finished the third jury trial, all for the same case and client. Just over two years ago he was charged with 4 felonies, the story was all over the papers, screaming headlines, TV news, his mug shot all over the place. As you can imagine, the impact on his...
