Apr: 01, 2011

Minnesota lawmakers consider efforts to criminalize synthetic drugs

Lawmakers in Minnesota this week considered adding synthetic drugs to the state’s list of drug crimes. Synthetic drugs like 2C-E and 2C-1 go by the name of “bath salts” and are amphetamines that are legally obtainable over the internet. Though the drugs are legal they have serious and fatal health consequences. On March 11 young people in Blaine, Minnesota overdosed on 2C-E and one 19-year-old died from an overdose during the same incident.

Apr: 01, 2011

High school celebrations and DUI

As the weather in Minnesota finally transitions from the long winter to reliably warm spring days, high school students near the dates of prom and high school graduation and graduation parties. For some, high school prom and graduation parties are a rite of passage where underage drinking occurs. The reality is that a season of celebration that throws alcohol into the mix can result in danger, death and DUI.

Mar: 01, 2011

Study on sex crimes based on questionable methodology – Part 2

Last week we spoke about a study on the growth of juvenile prostitution that was released by the Women’s Funding Network. The sex crime study was presented during a Congressional hearing regarding the closure of Craigslist’s adult section. The study claimed that juvenile prostitution in Minnesota, California and Michigan grew exponentially during the study’s six month time period; however, the methodology used to conduct the study is now being challenged various research experts.

Mar: 01, 2011

Study on sex crimes based on questionable methodology – Part 1

A study on the growth of juvenile prostitution that was used at a Congressional hearing to inform members of the subcommittee of the House Judiciary in September may be flawed. The study released by the Women’s Funding Network tracked the growth of juvenile prostitution and found the sex crime had risen exponentially in three diverse states. Those states were Minnesota, New York and Michigan. Further research has been conducted on the study and according to various university researchers the data behind the study is flawed. Over the next two posts we will discuss the study and the research that examined the study’s data.

Feb: 01, 2011

Prosecution of juvenile crime falls in Dakota County

Last month, we wrote about the fall in juvenile crime prosecutions in Hennepin County. This month information has been released that shows Dakota County is also experiencing a similar trend. The downward trend in juvenile crime prosecutions in Dakota County has occurred consistently over the last eight years. The local trend is a part of a national decline in the number of juveniles who face prosecution and need criminal defense. Some legal experts believe the downward direction of juvenile crimes is attributed to anti-bullying, anti-drug abuse and juvenile crime prevention initiatives.

Feb: 01, 2011

Local white collar crime case comes to an end

The story of Denny Hecker’s white collar crime case has finally come to end. The former owner of a local auto empire was sentenced to a prison term of 10 years for two counts of fraud and one count of conspiracy on Friday. Hecker was given the maximum sentence and was also ordered to repay $31.36 million to victims. It is expected that Hecker will serve his prison time in Minnesota, but the final decision of where he will serve his prison term will be left to the United States Bureau of Prisons.

Feb: 01, 2011

Vietnamese Internet Crime Ring Has Possible Links to Minnesota

A Vietnamese internet crime ring under investigation for a number of white collar crimes including fraud, money laundering and identity theft may have a connection to Minnesota. The federal investigation is being conducted by the United States Department of Homeland Security and is called “Operation eMule.” The crime ring uses hundreds of stolen identities to swindle thousands of dollars from online retailers. Two 22-year-old college students from Winona State University have been linked to the ring by investigators.

Dec: 01, 2010

Burglars Break into Local Band’s House in Saint Paul

What is a criminal defense case for the suspects is a case of a Christmas Eve gone terrible for the victims. A local musician who is a part of a well known local rock band had his Saint Paul home and recording studio broken into over the evening of Christmas Eve. The musician lost $25,000 in electronic gear but more importantly he lost two albums that he had been recording for two different bands.

Nov: 01, 2010

National Transportation Safety Board Takes on Hard-Core Drunk Drivers

The National Transportation Safety Board is making hard-core drunk driving one its top priorities. Hard-core drunk drivers are drivers who get on the road with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent or higher, or offenders who have been arrested multiple times for DUI or drunken driving within the last 10 years. As a part of its efforts, the National Transportation Safety Board is lobbying states to adopt its 11 point safety program to reduce the risk of hard-core drunk drivers on the road.

Tag: Minnesota