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Minnesota Constitutional Law Questions & Answers
Q: Can I be charged with things not on a warrant . Say the warrant was for stolen stuff but cops got me with bullets and dr

Cops came to my house to search my truck for stolen things but only found bullets ,paraphilia,and on my phone pics of stolen things can they charge me if what they found was not on the watrent. Things they found were out of my storage unit I was bringing back to storage didnt even know any of that... View More

Sarah Gad
Sarah Gad
answered on Mar 10, 2023

I do not know the full circumstances of the situation and cannot answer your question specifically. Generally speaking, a warrant has to state with particularity the items to be searched and seized. The police must request a warrant signed by a neutral third party (i.e., judge or magistrate) unless... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Regarding execution of search warrant of House: Searches & Seizures, State of Minnesota

Are officers required to acquire consent of the home owner and/or property owner, whom is not the individual indicated by the search warrant, to open locked containers within the area described by the warrant to be searched, and are they required to unlock and open said containers in the presence... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Jul 5, 2022

This is going to be a very fact specific analysis that depends on a number of factors such as the language of the search warrant, the items that are being looked for, the relationship of the subject to the home owners, etc. This is way more than can be addressed through a Q & A forum online.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: If police raid my house for drugs and detain me do they have to show me the warrant before they search if I demand tol
Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Jan 26, 2022

If police break into a house with a Search Warrant, they are required to either leave a copy or give a copy to a person present. I am not aware of a requirement that they do so, *before* they come in and search. That could create security risks, and that is likely the reason. Normally they will,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Minnesota on
Q: Can the police in minnesota enter my home without permission to serve a felony arrest warrant from another state
Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Dec 23, 2021

That would depend upon whether they had reason to believe that the fugitive named in the arrest warrant was in the home. The Minnesota arrest warrant would be based upon the out-of-state warrant.

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Rights for Minnesota on
Q: Police fabricated probable cause statement to charge and convicted me assault when there was NO injuries. Police and Dr

Have both testified stating there were NO INJURIES and yet I was still found guilty of assault and the judge lied in his findings of facts saying the doctor witnessed injuries when she testified stating that there were NO injuries and I believe that is "fraud on the court" and voids... View More

Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Oct 24, 2021

There is "assault" and "battery." You could have an assault WITHOUT a battery, but the reverse doesn't apply. So even if there were no injuries, a person can commit an assault. Putting someone else in fear of their safety or possible injuries, or worse, when there is intent... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: If a judge lies in his findings that a doctor testified the "victim" had injuries when the doctor said opposite = fraud?

Is that not the definition of (fraud on the court) or judicial error?

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Oct 23, 2021

The use of the term lies implies that the judge intentionally said or wrote something that was untrue knowing that it was untrue. Making a finding that was inconsistent with the record presented in court would be error. But error is only significant if it is reversible error and you don’t... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: I am being requested to complete fingerprinting prior to being convicted of a crime.

I have not even received details of the charge, and threatened with a warrant if I don’t complete this fingerprinting.

William Bailey
William Bailey
answered on Mar 7, 2021

Do you have a question you want an attorney to answer? It sounds like you need an attorney to fight your charges.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Can the police search your house without you there
William Bailey
William Bailey
answered on Feb 15, 2021

Yes. If the police have a warrant, they do not need to wait until you are home to conduct their search.

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Can a cop use items found after i was arrested to show probable to get a search warrant for my blood?

I was arrested for suspicion of DWI after being pulled over for a third brakelite being out. Can the police use incriminating evidence found only after the search incident to arrest? I would think they would had to have the search warrant prior to arresting me or at the very least the probable... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Dec 15, 2020

Of course they can. There is no obligation that law enforcement ignore evidence developed before the search incident to arrest. The probable cause basis for the arrest can differ from the probable cause to support a warrant application to get a search warrant for a blood draw. I am assuming that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: What should I do?? the police have charged me and I been victim both times and I called the police. Can I sue

I've went to police for help they sent me a ticket in mail I'll explain. First time I pulled in gas station got gas went in. On way out gas station buddy was acting a fool so I said screw him and sat in my car and all a sudden my door got ripped open and dude started punching me and in... View More

William Bailey
William Bailey
answered on Nov 27, 2020

Your priority should be contesting the criminal charges. Then you can think about a lawsuit, but you should be aware it is often very difficult to successfully sue a government entity.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Minnesota on
Q: Do private clubs have to follow the Governors new mandate on masks?

Meaning a Club that you need to be a member of in order to be there. Public would not be allowed to come in off the street. Members only

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Jul 23, 2020

You don't provide enough information here to intelligently answer the question. What do you mean by "private clubs?"

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3 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Domestic Violence, Federal Crimes and Native American Law for Minnesota on
Q: i was recently convicted of assaualt resulting in serious bodily injury in which there was,no statement by the vicvictim

pertaining i was the one that assaulted her and nor did she show to testifie in trial,in which i was still found guilty

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Feb 15, 2020

There’s not really a question here but you should file an appeal if you believe that you were wrongfully convicted. I presume that the government had other evidence such as third party witnesses or out of court statements, but it’s impossible to weigh in on the conviction with the limited... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Libel & Slander for Minnesota on
Q: Why does this need to be read without consultation concerning the underlying issues that have not yet been addressed?

I was suffering from a period of Incapacity due to third degree burns, burn surgery, and an eighteen month recovery from those burns and the surgery. I could not adequately represent myself. I had my Constitutional rights trampled all over. They did not provide what was subpoenaed for that trial.... View More

William Bailey
William Bailey
answered on Jan 24, 2020

It sounds like you have a complex civil appellate matter. You should consult privately with an attorney who handles civil rights appeals. You can use the search function on this site and give a few a call.

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: My boyfriend was arrested for a warrant and my truck was seized by the county police. I was not present during that.

Stimulation offered to me i refused to agree to. Saw judge once and he said I needed to file some sort of claim or process but I cant remember what or which. What do I do to start legally regaining my property and sue the county for unneeded force by running into my parked and shut off truck... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Dec 21, 2019

Stimulation offered? I don’t know what that means.

It’s difficult to know in the abstract if running into your vehicle was justified or not. There are times where law enforcement will execute PIT maneuvers if the driver refuses to stop.

It also matters why the vehicle is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for Minnesota on
Q: How do I prove that police tampered with evidence

It seems all things in my defense and truthful, on the police video and audio, somehow one way or another doesn't show,one moment it's clear then another it's totally silent ,then another staticy, and ironically at the times it's in my favor.so it makes me look bad, it's... View More

Jonathan Matthew Holson
Jonathan Matthew Holson
answered on Dec 9, 2019

It’s unclear what you are charged with or what the video is supposed to depict. You need to be represented if you are charged with a crime. Get an attorney.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: what is control? and what is dominion? of a fire arm. can I as a felon go hunting with my son?

can a convicted felon be in a vehicle with another non-felon on a hunting excursion? this would include hunting fire arms. can a convicted felon have a dependent in possession of fire arms, or a can said dependent have a concealed carry permit fire arm? would I as a felon be able to go hunting with... View More

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Sep 24, 2019

I discuss this issue extensively on my Liberty-Lawyer.com at https://liberty-lawyer.com/practice-areas/gun-defense-attorney/firearm-possession/ The concern is being accused of a crime as an ineligible person in possession, which carries long mandatory-minimum prison sentences, both state and... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: How do you go about a civil rights issues with the police department.

I was jailed twice against my liberty on false charges and the police knew this.

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Jun 22, 2019

Contact a lawyer

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Appeals / Appellate Law and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Can I be arrested for DUI,if I wasn't driving? And I didn't get pulled over by a cop,they came 1/2 hour later
Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Jun 10, 2019

I have seen many cases where a person was arrested for DUI even though the police officer did not observe driving. And I've won many of those cases after working hard on motions to dismiss and rescind. The two most common scenarios are (1) a person suspected to have been driving a disabled... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Malpractice for Minnesota on
Q: I strongly think that my girlfriend is only being charged with domestic assault because she changed victims statement.

I was packing to leave my girlfriend's house when in the heat of the moment she tried to stop me. In doing so she scratched me on my neck and ripped my shirt. We have had a prior incident which I went to jail for, so I was recording the goings on. As a safety precaution I called 911 so nothing... View More

Luke Neuville
Luke Neuville
answered on May 18, 2019

Your girlfriend has rights to exercise in court but it's not advisable to discuss over public forum. I would advise contacting an attorney that gives free consultations to get some better information.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Is that a public park is a "known drug area" sufficient as "reasonable suspicion" for search without any other evidence?

Legally parked, in an open public park at a reasonable time of day, eating dinner and playing a video game on his cell, my friend looked up from his game surprised to find a squad car parked perpendicular to his truck with lights activated. Thinking something was wrong my friend got out to see... View More

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Apr 12, 2019

Whether police have an articulable suspicion of criminal activity, sufficient to justify a Fourth Amendment seizure,depends upon all the facts then known to that police officer. Of course, I don't have access to that information. His defense attorney of record on the case should. If... View More

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