What Do You Do If You Are On Trial For a Crime in Minnesota?

When an individual is charged with a criminal offense in Minnesota, the case is tried following the state’s criminal justice process. Usually, a case begins with the initial court appearance, where the defendant is informed of the criminal charges and their constitutional right to a trial. The state (plaintiff) is generally responsible for proving that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the evidentiary standard.

What Percentage of Criminal Cases Go to Trial in Minnesota?

The Minnesota District Court is the state's general trial court. According to the Minnesota Judicial Branch Annual Report of 2018, the court recorded 68,665 statewide criminal case filings. Typically, 95% of felony and misdemeanor convictions in the state are from plea bargains, not criminal court trials. Plea bargains provide an alternative to trial bargains, allowing defendants to enter a guilty plea in exchange for reduced charges and lesser sentences.

When Does a Criminal Defendant Have the Right to a Trial?

In Minnesota, every defendant accused of committing a crime is entitled to a trial in court. The defendant also has the right to demand a jury trial within 60 days of the first appearance in court. However, the right to a jury trial depends on the severity of the charge. Typically, most felonies and gross misdemeanors punishable by possible jail time are handled by a jury.

According to Minnesota Law, petty misdemeanors are not punishable by incarceration. Hence, defendants charged with petty misdemeanors are heard by a judge.

What Are The Stages of a Criminal Trial in Minnesota

Generally, the Minnesota criminal trial process involves the following stages:

• Jury selection
• Opening statements
• Presentation of evidence and examination of witnesses
• Rebuttal
• Closing arguments
• Jury instructions
• Any jury questions dealing with evidence or law
• Jury deliberation
• The verdict
• The sentencing

How Long Does it Take for a Case to Go to Trial in Minnesota?

According to Rule 11 of the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, a defendant should be tried within 60 days after the plea’s entry. In extraordinary circumstances where the trial does not begin within 120 days of the plea, the defendant may be released under non-monetary conditions according to Rule 6 of the Minnesota Criminal Procedure.

What Does it Mean to be Indicted in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, being indicted means that a grand jury has deliberated on the evidence from your case and found probable cause for it to go to trial. Being indicted in Minnesota does not mean you have been found guilty of an offense. It simply means the majority vote from the grand jury supported the fact that the case has merit for trial. Indictments are generally reserved for offenses at the level of felonies. These are violent offenses such as murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.

The grand jury constitutes a panel of 16 to 23 members, with 16 members forming a quorum according to Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 18. From each quorum, at least 12 jurors are needed to vote in favor of an indictment according to Rule 17. This panel is presented with the details of the case and any relevant evidence to secure an indictment by the prosecution. The panel examines the case and may call witnesses if needed. If the majority vote in favor is achieved, the panel returns an indictment to the court where it is filed, and the defendant will be served. Arraignment will be scheduled by the court, which the defendant typically must prepare for and attend. Matters such as bail and challenging the indictment are usually heard at arraignment.

After an indictment, a plea agreement may still prevent the case from going to trial. If such an agreement is not reached, the court will schedule a trial based on the grand jury’s indictment.

Does Indictment Mean Jail Time in Minnesota?

No, being indicted in Minnesota does not automatically mean you will be detained instantly. Individuals who were arrested before being indicted would generally stay in detention until they make bail or are cleared by a grand jury. According to the Minnesota Constitution, Article I, Section 7, offenders are bailable if they meet the required terms, except for offenders guilty of capital offenses. This law allows detention of such offenders where evidence is available or based on a great presumption. According to the Minnesota Rule of Criminal Procedure 6, Rules 6.01 to 6.04 guide the release of offenders on bail.

What Happens When a Court Case Goes to Trial in Minnesota

The steps in a Minnesota criminal trial may vary slightly depending on the type of trial employed in a case. The Jury trial process is the most common in the state criminal justice system, and it begins with jury selection. Here, the judge and attorney on both sides interview potential jury members to determine their ability to remain fair and unbiased throughout the trial. Jurors who do not fulfill the required standards are dismissed.

After the selection, the trial commences in the courtroom with the prosecuting attorney’s opening statements. The statement provides the jurors with an overview of the case. The defending attorney may also do the same, reserve the right to make the statement until later, or opt not to make it altogether.

Subsequently, both sides may present facts, evidence, and witnesses to testify under oath. This affirms the defendant's guilt or innocence according to state evidence rules. The witnesses are directly examined and then cross-examined by opposing attorneys to discredit or refute the opposing side’s claims. The defense typically cross-examines the witnesses that the prosecution calls to testify. They may also subpoena witnesses and get them to testify on the defense’s behalf.

Furthermore, the defense may contest the admissibility of evidence obtained by the prosecution and vice versa. As a result, some evidence may be rejected based on irrelevance, illegality, or prejudice.

The judge and jury may also clarify issues by questioning the witnesses and examining evidence.

After the rebuttal, the attorneys make their closing arguments to summarise and highlight their most vital points. Before the jury is sent for deliberations, the judge instructs them on the state laws applicable to the case to inform their decisions. Overall, the jury determines guilt or innocence through the trial process. If the defendant is found guilty, a different date is set for sentencing. The stages of jury selection and deliberation are omitted in bench trials handled by a judge.

Can You Be Put on Trial Twice for the Same Crime in Minnesota?

No, the Minnesota State Constitution mandates that no person be tried twice for the same charges. Double jeopardy is prohibited by Section 7, Article 1 of the Minnesota State Constitution, and the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

How Do I Look Up a Criminal Court Case in Minnesota

Court records are generated, maintained, and distributed by individual courts in Minnesota. Interested persons may request paper copies of records locally stored in the court. Depending on the courthouse, they may retrieve these copies via written, phone, mail, or online requests. Also, Minnesota district courts provide access to electronic records via the public access terminals at the state’s various courthouses. These courthouse terminals provide access to public district case information stored electronically.

How to Access Electronic Court Records in Minnesota

The Minnesota Judicial Branch of government maintains electronic court records generated in Minnesota Courts. The website provides online access to trial and appellate court records through the Access Case Records feature. Although most court records are accessible on this platform, the site will not display sealed, expunged, or exempted records. Additionally, open court records do not contain personal identifiers like social security numbers, bank account numbers, tax IDs, juvenile records, etc. Additionally, third-party amalgamation sites like Minnesotacourtrecords.us may help access criminal court case information.

Minnesota criminal records may also be accessible through third-party websites. These sites may offer the convenience of a statewide database where individuals may perform single or multi-record searches. To search these platforms, users may be required to provide information to facilitate the search, including:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state where the person resides or was accused.

Since third-party sites are independent of government sources and not sponsored by these agencies, record availability, accuracy, and validity may not be guaranteed.

How Do I Remove Public Court Records in Minnesota

Criminal expungement is the process of removing court records from public view in Minnesota. However, expunged records in the state are not permanently deleted or destroyed. They remain visible to state and federal law enforcement agencies, such as the police, immigration officers, the FBI, etc.

According to Chapter 6 of the Minnesota Revised Statutes, criminal records may only be expunged if they satisfy the following criteria:

• If the offense was a first-time drug offense
• If the juvenile offense was addressed in adult criminal court
• If the defendant was found not guilty or if the case was eventually dismissed
• If the individual was convicted of a petty misdemeanor

The individual typically must also complete all sentences, including probation or diversion programs, and remain unconvicted of any new crimes for at least five years. It is important to note that, according to state laws, crimes that require the individual to register as a sex offender may not be expunged or sealed.

To get a record expunged, eligible persons may petition the court for expungement by completing the required paperwork, filling out the expungement forms, and paying the required fees. The judge then sets a hearing date, at which the request will be examined closely and then granted or denied. The hearing is usually held 60 days after the petitioner files the expungement petition. The criminal record is sealed after 60 days if the request is granted.