Category: Sex Crimes

Football’s brain injuries may have wider implications

Many of the people in Golden Valley have likely heard of the numerous former NFL players who have filed suit against the football league, alleging that it hid the impact that concussions and blows to the head would have on their long-term mental health. While much of the focus is on depression, dementia and suicide, it seems there may be another factor worth considering — sexual inhibitions.

Status update: new law requires sex offenders to post on Facebook

A bill has recently been signed into law that will require anyone using Facebook or a social networking site who has also been convicted of a sex crime to post his or her status as a sex offender on his or her profile. Though this law will not affect anyone in Minnesota, it has dangerous implications and could set precedence for the Minnesota legislature.

Does a beard make you look more aggressive? Juries say ‘yes’

It may seem ridiculous to people in St. Paul, but MSNBC notes that people with beards are thought to be more aggressive and more likely to commit a violent or horrific crime, like a sex crime. All kidding aside, this poses a serious problem for bearded men who are accused of a crime.

Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges for Husband and Wife for Assault on Relative in Austin, MN

In an unusal move, a Minnesota prosecutor has charged a husband and wife both with Sexual Assault in an Austin, Minnesota case. The husband was charged with one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct. He was also charged with five counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, and his bail was set at $500,000. The presumptive sentence under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines for these charges is at least 144 months (12 years).

Forensics: much less reliable than you would think

Many people in Minneapolis-St. Paul know how the story goes: a man is arrested and accused of rape. As police, investigators and prosecutors try to build a case of sexual assault against the suspect, forensic experts discover some evidence that conclusively ties the suspect to the crime, landing a conviction for the prosecution. The suspect is sentenced and sent to prison.

Plea deal reached for Minneapolis officer involved in sex crimes

When one thinks of a Minneapolis officer involved in a sex crime, one thinks of the officer as part of the prosecution’s team, building a case against an alleged offender. In this case, a former Minneapolis park police officer was the defendant.

First person to be discharged from Minnesota Sex Offender Program

For the first time since its inception, the Minnesota Sex Offender Program will release its first patient. According to a report by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, a three-judge panel in Ramsey County decided to grant a provisional discharge to a 64-year-old man, after there was no objection from prosecutors or the Department of Human Services.

Conference discusses changes to sex crimes penalties

Recently, a conference was held at William Mitchell College of Law that discussed potential changes to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Commissioner Lucinda Jesson of the Department of Human Services, the agency responsible for carrying out the program, as well as legislators from both parties attended. The state is currently facing serious issues in the treatment of sex offenders.

How should teenagers be punished for sex crimes?

Parents in Minneapolis-St. Paul know that teenagers are headstrong and sometimes act without thinking about the consequences of their actions. This is especially true when it comes to young love — Minnesota teenagers will have relationships with whomever they please, especially when their parents disapprove. The problem, of course, is that when a teenager is 18-years-old, he or she is considered an adult and if his or her boyfriend of girlfriend is under the age of consent, he or she could face a charge of statutory rape.

Minneapolis man targeted by state corrections officers

If you have served time for a crime, you may not realize that you could still find yourself as the focus of a Minnesota Department of Corrections manhunt, even after you have been released from jail. Unfortunately, certain charges, such as rape, will stick with you long after you take responsibility for your actions and spend time in prison, and if you step one toe out of line, you may be the focus of a police investigation.