Q: Can a criminal investigation not resulting in charges be removed from public record through a process somehow?
In Minnesota, Criminal Investigations are available to the public after they are inactive, no longer being investigated whether charges were filed or not. The case investigated where I was the suspect was because of my therapist illegally reporting a potential crime where he broke confidentiality laws as my specific potential offense did not fall underneath mandatory reporting laws in my state. I was wondering based off these facts if it could be removed from access to the public? From what I have read online this would not be a case in which I can apply for expungement as it is not on my criminal record, it is just available to the public. I could not find any legal action that may be applied to a situation like mine or process to per se follow. If you know of anything I may be able to do that would be great. Thank you for your response
A:
An attorney can certainly assist you with this endeavor. Some attorneys offer reason rates. Some do not.
If you were arrested but were never charged with a crime, OR if the case was dismissed before a criminal complaint was filed against you, you may be able to request that the "identifying parts" of the arrest records (except DNA samples that were collected) be destroyed and that your arrest record be sealed at the law enforcement agency. Read MN Statutes § 299C.11, which is the law that applies to arrest records.
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