Make Payment
Call Today
(952) 913-1421
Call Today
(952) 913-1421

The Fusion of Arrest with Guilt

The fusion of arrest and guilt creates confusion and prejudice for the public, as well as unfair treatment and unnecessary punishments for people who are arrested.

An Arrest Does Not Equate to Guilt

Getting arrested for a crime does not constitute guilt. Arrest and guilt are legally distinct terms, but they are often fused together in the minds of many people. This unfair fusion creates consequences for people who are arrested even when guilt is never proven. It is used in assessing a person’s “risk,” in calculating “recidivism,” and in identifying “offenders.” The fusion of arrest and guilt creates a lot of problems within the justice system.

When a person is arrested, he/she is often considered guilty by public and private sectors. Since an arrest becomes part of an accessible permanent record, mug shots may be posted on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and private individual websites. Arrests can lead to refusal of employment, job loss, disciplinary actions in the workplace, and housing problems. Many people also face threats of losing child custody and the possibility of deportation. People who are arrested and stand trial, but are found not guilty in the end can face a variety of problems and restrictions that impact their personal lives. Unfortunately, many people who are arrested are convicted by the public well before any legal conviction takes place.

Studies on recidivism must rely on some sort of proxy to assess a person’s risk of re-offending. Court judges frequently use an arrest record to gauge a person’s risk of committing future crimes, regardless of guilt or innocence. Relying on the number of arrests and re-arrests a person has can be very inaccurate, since many people who are arrested see their charges dropped or dismissed. Arrest records do not portray an accurate picture of criminality. Arrest data also fails to account for individuals involved in criminal activity who have been missed, overlooked, or given less priority by law enforcement. Each year in the U.S., 11 million people are arrested for some type of offense, but few of these arrests lead to actual convictions.

Many people say the criminal justice system needs reforms to protect the innocent. Many law enforcement officials and criminal defense attorneys argue that recidivism should only be measured by known convictions, rather than by a person’s arrest record. Has the criminal justice system abandoned the presumption of innocence?

Max Keller image
Attorney Max Keller
Max Keller

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Experience: Practicing since 1997
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Handcuffed person sitting behind small bags of illegal drugs. Drug Possession if the Drugs Aren’t Yours

Can You Be Charged With Drug Possession if the Drugs Aren’t Yours in Minnesota?

You can be charged with drug possession if the drugs aren’t yours in Minnesota. This is one of the most misunderstood areas of criminal law. Many people assume that if they did not own or physically hold the drugs, they cannot be charged. In reality, Minnesota law allows prosecutors to pursue charges based on something called constructive possession.
Man on a phone call while using a laptop. Contact the Alleged Victim After Charges

What Happens if You Contact the Alleged Victim After Charges Are Filed in Minnesota?

If you contact the alleged victim after charges are filed in Minnesota, you may be putting your case, your freedom, and your future at risk. Once criminal charges are filed, courts often impose strict no-contact conditions, either through bail conditions, release orders, or protective orders. Violating those conditions can lead to additional criminal charges, even if your intent was harmless.
A young man with bruises posing for a mugshot. Accused of Sharing Intimate Images

Accused of Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent in Minnesota? What to Know

Being accused of sharing intimate images without consent in Minnesota can have consequences that go far beyond the criminal justice system. These cases often involve allegations tied to digital communication, private relationships, and intent, which makes them both legally complex and highly sensitive.