Police officers cannot force people to unlock their cell phones if they are arrested. This procedure violates Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
In Minnesota, simple assault is a misdemeanor offense while aggravated assault is a felony. The difference between the two charges depends on the severity of injuries to the victim and whether a deadly weapon was used during the crime.
In Minnesota, a juvenile under the age of 18 can be tried for a felony offense the same as an adult if violence is involved and the crime meets certain criteria.
A new rule addressing sexual violence and harassment on college campuses may give accused students legal grounds to get their cases dismissed and limit a victim's ability to seek help from school officials or campus police.
Minnesota's criminal coercion law could be a violation of First Amendment rights. Under Minnesota Statutes, any threat to harm another person by publishing defamatory information, releasing confidential information, or exposing another person to public ridicule or disgrace is considered a criminal coercion offense.
Although there are no laws that specifically govern aggressive driving in Minnesota, when road rage causes accidents, injuries, or death, angry drivers can be charged with various crimes including assault, vehicular homicide, or murder.
Parent-child privilege prevents forced disclosure by the state of confidential communications between a parent and a child of any age, if the parties assert the privilege.
When rape is reported in Minnesota, investigation failures are common. Interviews are often not conducted, investigators aren't assigned, and many times, cases are never sent to prosecutors.
The 2018 Minnesota crime report shows a decline in violent crimes across the state, but an increase in motor vehicle thefts, rapes, and human trafficking.
