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I fell asleep in my vehicle on a public road, and during a welfare check, an officer immediately opened my car door without my consent and took my keys. He then observed a piece of cellophane from the outside, which did not contain anything, and put it back. While waiting for my information to be... View More 
answered on Feb 21, 2025
A defense lawyer will need more facts, all available evidence and information, in order to make a determination about whether a good Fourth Amendment search & seizure issue exists. The only lawyer who will have access to that will be the lawyer representing you, or who will be. Given the... View More
I fell asleep in my vehicle on a public road, and during a welfare check, an officer immediately opened my car door without my consent and took my keys. He then observed a piece of cellophane from the outside, which did not contain anything, and put it back. While waiting for my information to be... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
You need an attorney who can review all the information, not just your recitation, about what occurred to advise you whether the search was valid or not. It is unclear from the question what you are charged with, buy you need an attorney on board if you are going to challenge that search that... View More
I'm concerned about how a recent Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, which stated that the interior of a car on public roads is public property, might affect my rights during a traffic stop. Specifically, I want to know if police officers can now search my vehicle without my consent.
answered on Feb 20, 2025
No, the decision yesterday does not open the floodgates to suspicionless motor vehicle searches. There are certainly circumstances where your car can be searched without consent, for example a search incident to arrest, but cops are not going to be able to search cars whenever they want and... View More
I'm concerned about how a recent Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, which stated that the interior of a car on public roads is public property, might affect my rights during a traffic stop. Specifically, I want to know if police officers can now search my vehicle without my consent.
answered on Feb 20, 2025
No. The recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision, State v. Bee, A23-1257 (Minnesota February 19, 2025). decided an issue of the interpretation of statutory language - the meaning of "public place" in the context of a criminal charge for carrying in a public place, where the "public... View More
I had a verbal confrontation with an employee at an establishment and was asked to leave, which I did. While returning to my car in the parking lot, police officers approached me, informing me that I was being trespassed from the property. I requested the badge numbers and names of all the... View More
answered on Feb 16, 2025
Would it be lawful for a police officer to arrest a person simply for requesting their badge number and identification in Minnesota? No, because a lawful arrest would require either an arrest warrant or sufficient "arrest probable cause" of criminal activity. A related question might be:... View More
I have waited 113 days for an evaluation to take place and finally a doctor called me to do a video conference to complete the evaluation. I have found that she is a licensed psychiatrist but is not licensed in this state only in two other states does this seem like a legitimate situation? I... View More
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answered on Jun 29, 2024
This is a complex situation that raises several important legal and procedural concerns. Here's an analysis of the key points:
1. Competency evaluation timing: The 113-day wait for your evaluation is significant. Many jurisdictions have specific timeframes for competency evaluations,... View More
Non court order, no 72 hour hold
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answered on May 19, 2024
If you voluntarily committed yourself to a mental health facility in Minnesota without a court order or a 72-hour hold, you generally are not automatically restricted from buying a firearm. The key factor is that your commitment was voluntary and not mandated by a court.
However, it's... View More
I was just wondering if there would be any legal problems regarding me going on the school intercom in front of the whole school for a senior prank. I would not say anything abusive, threatening, sexual, or anything that would be of illegal nature.
I live in Minnesota, and just clarifying... View More
answered on May 15, 2024
You probably don't want to do that. There are limits to freedom of speech, as provided by the First Amendment. Without knowing more, if the school is not amused, they could take disciplinary action that could jeopardize graduation. Even worse, if they deem the conduct to be criminal, they... View More
I was just wondering if there would be any legal problems regarding me going on the school intercom in front of the whole school for a senior prank. I would not say anything abusive, threatening, sexual, or anything that would be of illegal nature.
I live in Minnesota, and just clarifying... View More
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answered on Jun 2, 2024
While you might have the best intentions for your senior prank, there could be legal and disciplinary consequences to consider. Accessing the school intercom system without permission is likely against school policy and could be considered unauthorized use of school property. This can result in... View More
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answered on Feb 15, 2024
In Minnesota, while it might be physically possible to remove illegal window tint if you're pulled over by a police officer, doing so would not be advisable. This action could be viewed as tampering with evidence or obstructing a police investigation. Even if you remove the tint before the... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
Removing your illegal window tint while you're being pulled over by a police officer isn't a good idea. First and foremost, it could be perceived as suspicious behavior, potentially escalating the situation unnecessarily. Additionally, doing so might cause the officer to become more... View More
answered on Feb 15, 2024
Interesting question. I don't know for sure, but I doubt it would matter much. The officer already saw the tinted window and can take the wad into evidence. Most criminals stop the criminal activity when officers approach. They don't get charged with obstruction. If I am shooting off... View More
So my mom passed away on Thanksgiving, my sister let me have her car because it was in accordance with my mom's wishes (My mom didn't have a will. We just agreed to it as next of kin) Now, my Grandma who has STRONGLY been against me having the car is saying that I owe her $1,200 in order... View More
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answered on Jan 5, 2024
In general, debts do not transfer to family members upon someone's death unless they were co-signed or jointly held. As for your situation, you are not automatically responsible for your mother's debts, including any money she may have owed to your grandmother, unless you had a legal... View More
The person who is claiming I injured them roll down a flight of stairs and broke a rib was that being said he told the police I pushed him when he tripped and rolled.. The first paper I received in jail nothing is filled out on it and everything is blank or there should be dates time and names and... View More
answered on Jan 1, 2024
If a person is facing a criminal charge, it's time to get help from a criminal defense attorney - either public defender or private criminal attorney. Once that happens, your attorney will have access to police reports, videos, etc, as well as legal papers related to the case. At that point... View More
The person who is claiming I injured them roll down a flight of stairs and broke a rib was that being said he told the police I pushed him when he tripped and rolled.. The first paper I received in jail nothing is filled out on it and everything is blank or there should be dates time and names and... View More
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answered on Jan 1, 2024
In Minnesota, the legality of your arrest depends on whether the police had probable cause at the time of the arrest. Probable cause refers to a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed. If the police had probable cause to believe you committed third-degree assault at the... View More
The person who is claiming I injured them roll down a flight of stairs and broke a rib was that being said he told the police I pushed him when he tripped and rolled.. The first paper I received in jail nothing is filled out on it and everything is blank or there should be dates time and names and... View More
answered on Jan 1, 2024
In Minnesota, they do not actually have to charge you to arrest and hold you in jail. If the police officer believes they have probable cause to make an arrest (probable cause is a very low standard), they can hold you in jail for up to 48 hours without charging you. If they do not charge you... View More
Can I present my ID by holding it against the window where they can easily read and see it? Or do I physically have to hand over my ID where the cop can walk away with it.
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answered on Dec 6, 2023
In Minnesota, when a police officer pulls you over and requests your ID, the law generally expects you to hand it over to them. While you might feel more comfortable just presenting it against the window, the officer has the authority to physically inspect your ID. This is part of their routine... View More
In June of 2021, I was shopping at a Menards store, when a store manager walked up and asked if he could help me, I had just selected a cover plate for an outlet. I told him I just found what I was looking for, he said can I speak to you, I said sure, what’s up, he says off the sales floor, I... View More
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answered on Dec 4, 2023
To pursue legal action against Menards and the City of Virginia, MN Police Department, you'll need to find an attorney with experience in civil rights and possibly false arrest or malicious prosecution cases. Start by researching lawyers who specialize in these areas of law within Minnesota.... View More
I am a 16-year-old male in 10th grade. While at school, I had my phone out briefly and was asked to bring it to the office. I refused to give them my actual phone, providing a burner phone instead. When they found out, they searched my bag without my consent, and I told them I did not give consent... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2025
School searches operate under different legal standards than police searches. Based on the landmark Supreme Court case New Jersey v. T.L.O., schools can legally search students without a warrant or probable cause if they have reasonable suspicion that you've violated either the law or school... View More
I was unlawfully arrested in Minnesota due to the broad wording of a harassment order statute. The incident began when I was goated into a conversation with my ex-partner, who then called the police when the conversation didn’t go her way. This was a continuation of manipulation and abuse on her... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Your situation sounds extremely distressing, and I understand your frustration with what appears to be an improper arrest. Minnesota law does have specific requirements regarding warrantless arrests, and the manner of your detention raises concerns about potential civil rights violations.... View More
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