Nursing Professional Licensing Standards

Recently, Governor Dayton signed a new law changing or tightening the standards for licensing nurses by the Minnesota Nursing Board. The legislation was spurred by complaints that the Nursing Board has been too lax in dealing with nurses who, for example, had been accused to being addicted to drugs, stealing drugs, convicted of felonies, or lying about past criminal convictions.

Will Minnesota Supreme Court accept free speech argument in assisting suicide case?

The First Amendment gives people living in Minnesota the right of free speech but does not clarify what this right entails. It simply states “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech” and this broad statement has been the subject of many court cases over the years, including one recently heard by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Some forms of medical marijuana OK, Minnesota lawmakers say

A 27-year-old North St. Paul mother and her 6-year-old daughter have a condition known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, according to The Huffington Post. Like many others with EDS, the woman said she experiences pain so severe that it keeps her from being able to play with her daughter. Smoking medical marijuana, she said, dulls the pain enough to enable her and her child to comfortably enjoy their time together.

Minnesota lawmakers change civil forfeiture law

Forfeiture has long been a tool law enforcement use when battling issues such as drug crimes and driving while intoxicated. An individual found guilty of dealing drugs, for example, may lose his or her home. Civil forfeiture, however, is based on the idea that the property itself committed a crime, not the owner.

Father run over by Daughter in DWI Accident

DWI or driving while under the influence of Alcohol or other drugs can be dangerous to the driver, passengers, or bystanders, or people in another car. Unfortunately, people who try to prevent DWI’s can be injured too, even by accident, in ways they never anticipated. This weekend, a man who tried to stop his daughter from getting a DWI got run over and killed by accident. This is an extremely tragic “accident.”

Minnesota Police Continue Crackdown on Drunk Driving

With the unofficial start of summer underway, Minnesota state police are sure to be out in full force to crackdown on drunk driving. In fact, the police crackdown on drunk driving in Minnesota was ramped up just a few weeks ago with Minnesota’s fishing opener earlier this month.

What Is a Warrant and When Is It Needed?

A warrant is a legal document that gives the police the authority to make an arrest or search a premises. There are two common types of warrants: arrest warrants and search warrants.

What Is an Ignition Interlock System and When Is It Used?

The Ignition Interlock Device is an in-car Breathalyzer that, when used correctly, prevents drunk drivers from driving. The Ignition Interlock system is a device installed near the steering wheel that is about the size of a hand-held calculator and includes a blowing tube. The driver must blow into the tube before starting the vehicle and if the alcohol concentration level after the driver blows into the tube is above a certain limit, the device will prevent the vehicle from starting. The device is installed near the steering wheel and connected to the engine.

Can I Still Drive If I Have a DUI in Minnesota?

One of the most frequently asked questions by clients who have been charged with a DWI offense is: Can I still drive if I have am convicted of a DWI? Because most DWI offenses carry some loss of driving privileges, it is important that you take the charges seriously. First and second offenses typically result in a temporary loss of driving privileges, but a third offense can result in a license cancellation. If you are a repeat or felony DUI offender, it could also face vehicle forfeiture.

Pre-trial asset restraint in Minnesota

In Minnesota, there are two types of pre-trial asset restraints and these include civil asset forfeiture and criminal asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture occurs when the government takes assets from the owner after providing some sort of notice about the impending action. In these cases, no conviction or criminal charge is necessary. In criminal asset cases, the government can seize property from a person before a trial if the owner has committed a crime.