Edwards white collar crime case raises stakes at Department of Justice

One question people charged with a sex crime in Minneapolis, MN, ask is: Can past allegations of sex crimes be used against me? Under Minnesota Rules of Evidence, past sex crime allegations aren't admissible as evidence in court to prove a suspect's character and argue that it contributed to the commission of the current crime. However, there are circumstances in which the court may allow prior allegations or bad conduct as evidence. These circumstances include when the prosecution can demonstrate that prior allegations or acts are key to establishing intent, identity, or pattern of bad conduct related to the current crime.