An unpublished Minnesota Court of Appeals case filed February 21, 2012 that resulted in a reversal and remand because the record surrounding the Defendant’s plea wasn’t properly developed brought forth an interesting distinction for in-state vs. out-of-state predatory offenses. The case, State of Minnesota v. Gary Lee Hanson involved a 1996 conviction from California. Hanson …
Continue reading "Predatory Reqistration May Not be Required for Out-of State Conviction"Monthly Archives: February 2012
What is Ignition Interlock?
Why is Ignition Interlock Important? Effective July 1, 2011 the Minnesota Legislature modified the driver’s license penalties associated with alcohol offenses. The duration of time that a driver’s license can now be taken away has greatly increased. However, the legislature did create an alternative means by which offenders can regain the use of their driver’s …
Continue reading "What is Ignition Interlock?"Police GPS Tracking Device Constitutes Search Says U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late January that police attachments of GPS-tracking devices to automobiles are considered searches under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution in the case of United States v. Jones. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. Law enforcement cannot enter someone’s home and …
Continue reading "Police GPS Tracking Device Constitutes Search Says U.S. Supreme Court"Watch Out – More People Are Being Charged With Felonies
The Dakota County attorney’s office recently released a report detailing the number and type of charges that were filed for 2011. The report showed that the number of adults charged by Dakota County with a felony of any type in 2011 increased by 17% when compared to 2010. However, the number of adults charged by …
Continue reading "Watch Out – More People Are Being Charged With Felonies"Felony HRO Violation Must be Intentional
A felony conviction for violation of a harassment restraining order (HRO) has to be based on conduct that was intentional. The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed and remanded a jury’s finding that Todd Bradley Gunderson was guilty of felony violation of a harassment restraining order in a decision filed February 6, 2012 on the basis …
Continue reading "Felony HRO Violation Must be Intentional"