27
Oct

MN Court of Appeals Issues Key Ruling on Hearsay Evidence in Criminal Trials

Evidence
A recent decision from the Minnesota Court of Appeals could have lasting implications for how certain types of hearsay evidence are admitted in criminal trials across the state. In State v. Jenkins, the court ruled that the district court erred in ad…
Read More
24
Jun

What Is Relationship Evidence in Minnesota Criminal Cases?

Evidence
If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges related to domestic violence or harassment in Minnesota, you may hear the term “relationship evidence” come up. Understanding what it means—and how it can impact a case—is crucial…
Read More
9
Jun

Confession Isn’t Conviction: How Minnesota Codified Corpus Delicti

Evidence
The Corpus Delicti doctrine has been foundational in Minnesota for over one hundred years. Codified in 1851, it remains an unmoving ideology that protects defendants from convictions based on uncorroborated or coerced confessions. Corpus Delicti, whi…
Read More
15
Nov

Fourth Degree Assault - Level of Harm

Assault, Evidence, Felonies
A fourth degree assault is charged when a person allegedly assaults a certain class of individuals – usually a police officer or paramedic, for example. Most assume that this is an automatic felony; and frankly, this is how it is charged out mo…
Read More
16
May

When Can Cops Seize Cell Phones?

Constitutional Rights, Evidence
Let’s be honest – cell phones have become a necessity to our everyday lives. Many would be lost without a cell phone as it houses almost endless amounts of our personal information, from phone numbers, to thousands of photos/videos, and e…
Read More
24
Jun

RIP 4th Amendment - Part 1 - Utah v. Strieff Decision

Arrest, Case Law Updates, Constitutional Rights, Evidence
In an era where the 2nd Amendment is untouchable, the 4th Amendment is nearing extinction due to two rulings this week by the U.S. Supreme Court. Before getting into the first decision – Utah v. Strieff – let’s remind ourselves of w…
Read More
18
Jan

Confidential Informant's Identity May Be Disclosed

Drug Crimes, Evidence, Felonies
Often, the State relies upon snitches (or, more politically correct – a confidential informant (“CI”)) to prove their case against a defendant. You see this often in drug cases. The State values this ‘insider’ informatio…
Read More
19
Aug

DWI - The Testing Procedure Must Be Done Properly

DWI, Evidence
Much of the focus on a DWI defense pertains to the basis for the stop and whether probable cause existed to arrest the defendant. Once that occurs, the officer takes the defendant back to the station and administers an official test – usually a…
Read More
1
Jul

How to Get Back Seized Property

Evidence, Vehicle Forfeiture
As you probably know, police may seize property – with or without a warrant – if it believes the property has some potential evidentiary value. As expected, this leads to an abuse of the system. Police often seize property for no reason o…
Read More
Tags: Evidence, Forfeiture