There are many controversial aspects of civil forfeiture in Minnesota. In addition to padding the budgets of law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys, asset seizure may impose unfair penalties beyond sentencing for criminal behavior.
Field sobriety tests are used to determine probable cause for a DWI arrest during a roadside stop, but they often show inaccurate results that get innocent drivers arrested.
Safe haven laws permit a child's parent or another party with the mother's permission to legally surrender a newborn child to a safe, designated location without facing prosecution or legal recourse for abandonment.
Even when a defendant is guilty, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court. Within the criminal justice system, all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty.
A simple schoolyard fight can easily escalate from school suspensions or detentions to charges of assault and battery punishable by time in jail or a civil lawsuit.
