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Author: Chris Keyser

What’s the Difference Between Theft, Robbery, and Burglary?

JUNE 29 2015

Category: Criminal Defense | General Legal

People often mistake robbery for burglary, or burglary for theft. So what’s the difference?

Minnesota Theft Charges

Theft is generally defined as intentionally taking property that is not yours. The property can be taken temporarily or permanently, but as long as you take it without permission, a theft has been committed. Common types of theft include pickpocketing, shoplifting, tricking someone into providing services without paying, writing a bad check (or a check without enough funs in the bank

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Supreme Court Rules No Deportation for Drugs Hidden in Socks

JUNE 8 2015

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Drug Crimes | News

On June 1, 2015, in Mellouli v. Lynch, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that a non-citizen who was convicted of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia could not be deported for that offense. Mr. Mellouli was a lawful permanent resident (commonly referred to as a “green card holder”) living in Kansas. He was stopped by police in 2010 for a traffic-related offense. A search at the jail discovered four pills in Mr. Mellouli’s sock. The pills were never identified in

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Minnesota Sex Offender Program Ruled Unconstitutional

JUNE 22 2015

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Media | News | Sex Crimes

A Prison Disguised as a Treatment Center

The Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) aims to provide court-ordered sex offender treatment to people who complete prison sentences, usually for criminal sexual conduct offenses. Once a prisoner’s sentence is complete, he is civilly committed to the MSOP for an “unspecified period of time.” People can be civilly committed if a judge determines that individual is a “sexual psychopathic personality” or a “sexually dangerous person,” or both. As of April 1,

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Common Myths About Minnesota Search Warrants

JUNE 15 2015

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Criminal Defense | Fourth Amendment | Warrants

Whenever a police officer asks to search your home or vehicle, you have two options: voluntarily consent to a search or refuse to comply unless the police have a search warrant. Telling the cops to “come back with a warrant” is not only your right but usually – if not always – a smart idea.

What is a search warrant and how do they work in Minnesota? Most people understand that a search warrant is a court-authorized document

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Minnesota Alcohol Limit Lowered for Aggravating Factor in DWI Charges

JUNE 1 2015

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Alcohol Concentration | Criminal Defense | DWI/DUI

Effective August 1, 2015, it is an aggravating factor to operate a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher in Minnesota. Prior to August 1, 2015, the limit was 0.20 to be considered an aggravating factor warranting harsher punishment.

Under Minnesota’s Driving While Impaired law, it is illegal to drive, operate, or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. If a driver’s alcohol concentration at the time

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How Long Can Police Hold You In Custody?

MAY 25 2015

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: General Legal | Warrants

In Minnesota, there are primarily four ways suspects enter the criminal justice system once accused of committing a criminal offense.

Citation: A police officer does not arrest a suspect but instead gives a citation or “ticket” explaining what the suspect is charged with and usually a date to appear in court.

Summons and Complaint: A complaint is a written document charging a defendant with criminal offense. Complaints are often mailed to defendants in cases involving

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How a Minnesota Grand Jury Works

MAY 18 2015

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: General Legal | Jury

What is a grand jury and how do they work in Minnesota? Grand juries are a group of randomly selected people from the community who are summoned to court, sworn in, instructed by a judge, and advised by either the County Attorney or an Assistant County Attorney (Minnesota county prosecutors who are sometimes called “District Attorneys” in other states). The purpose of a grand jury is to hear evidence concerning serious felonies (usually homicides) and to decide whether there

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