Category: Sex Crimes

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.

Irish man disputes Minnesota criminal charges, fights extradition

If you have been charged with a sex crime, you know the damage a mere allegation can do to your life. Your reputation, your job, your family life and more could all be gone in a matter of moments once someone accuses you of a sex crime. Even if you are able to show that you were falsely accused or that the alleged victim is not credible, you may still have to work hard to rebuild people’s trust. It is extremely important that you work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer from the very moment someone accuses you of a sex crime in order to best prove your innocence and preserve your rights.

Guilty of Child Pornography: Ex-Vikings’ Coach Denny Green’s Son

Jeremy Dennis Green, the son of former Vikings football coach Dennis Green, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and other charges on December 6, 2011, proving that people from many walks of life have been recently busted for possession of child pornography, distribution of child porn., or production of child sex images. Green, who had been an NFL scout for many years, and a ESPN football analyst, pleaded guilty to charges in Missouri, but also faces similar charges in Connecticut, where ESPN is based.

St. Paul man receives sex crime sentencing break

A man from St. Paul, Minnesota who plead to a sex crime charge will not serve time in prison and instead will be put on probation. The sentencing decision was partly the result of plea agreement and a misunderstanding on the length of a prison sentence for a second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.

Questions raised over federal sex offender law – Part 2

During our last post, we briefly gave an overview of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and spoke about some consequences of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) portion of the federal law. The federal sex offender registry has raised questions about sex crime punishment and rehabilitation and has grown state registries and burdened law enforcement departments.

Questions raised over federal sex offender law – Part 1

Last week was the deadline for U.S. states and territories to be in compliance with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. The overall purpose of the federal law is the development of a national standard to keep track of those who have committed sex crimes. States were given five years to be in compliance with the law or face a 10 percent deduction in federal justice funding. So far, only 14 states are substantially in compliance with a portion of the law called the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Proposed law would treat children trafficked for sex as victims instead of offenders

Lawmakers in Minnesota are reviewing a proposed law that would treat children trafficked for sex as victims instead of criminal offenders. The purpose of the bill is to help children caught up in the illicit sex trade get out and find treatment and safety. Currently, some cities in Minnesota already treat children involved in sex crimes as victims. The proposed law would bring uniformity to municipalities across the state.