A criminal conviction requires proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt because a guilty verdict can result in the deprivation of a defendant's freedom or even death, unlike a conviction in a civil trial where penalties are usually monetary.
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.
In Minnesota, the sale, distribution, and possession of illegal drugs is a felony offense, but possession does not always result in a criminal conviction. In some cases, charges can be dismissed when search and seizure laws are violated.
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.
