Minnesota Criminal Defense Blog | Keyser Law, P.A.

KEYSER LAW BLOG

Minnesota Sees Massive Spike in Theft…of Catalytic Converters?

NOV. 27 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of the world in many ways – but some of them are not quite what we expected.

In Minnesota, for example, there’s been an uptick in the theft of catalytic converters. Yes, catalytic converters. The reason? The high prices that thieves can fetch for valuable metals such as palladium, rhodium, and platinum, all of which are worth more on the market this year than ever before.

There is now legislation

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Fees and Collections on Outstanding Citations to Resume in MN

NOV. 20 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Outstanding Citations & Court Fees

The COVID era has had everyone doing things a little bit differently, including the courts. In Minnesota, there was a temporary suspension put in place in March due to the coronavirus that provided a grace period for any penalties and suspensions of citations and collections in relation to court-ordered fines and fees, as well as other court costs.

The state has announced, however, that this COVID-19 pandemic-related grace period ended on October 1, 2020. The automated processes for

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How Conspiracy Can Enhance a Shoplifting Charge in MN

NOV. 11 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Shoplifting/Retail Theft | Theft Crimes

Shoplifting on your own is one thing – shoplifting in a coordinated effort with other people is another thing entirely in the eyes of the law.

A Burnsville, Minnesota store was targeted by a group of three people who had coordinated the crime on Facebook. They were found to have shoplifted nearly $2,000 worth of merchandise before they were through.

The same thing happened in St. Paul and Maplewood, which roughly the same amount being stolen.

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Burn Private Property in MN, Spend 5 Years Max in Prison

NOV. 6 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Arson | Property Crimes

The term arson can conjure a lot of thoughts in people’s minds. You think of someone setting their home or business ablaze for the insurance money or deliberately causing a forest on fire.

In Massachusetts recently, a man was accused of burning hay bales with Biden/Harris campaign signage on them. As a result, he is being held without bail for purposefully setting fire to the display and charged with burning personal property.

Where he’s from in Massachusetts, this

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Minnesota Militia Activity: Lawful or Unlawful?

NOV. 9 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Gun Crimes | Militia Groups | Weapons Charges

Militia groups have been making headlines lately – and not in positive ways. First, the FBI uncovered a plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan and now Minnesota militias like the Boogaloo Bois are arming themselves for a revolution.

In the wake of George Floyd’s death and throughout a summer of protests, these groups have been more active than we’ve seen as their movements have gathered steam. Still, one question remains among some participants: Isn’t militia activity a

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MN Residential Burglary Laws: You Are the Company You Keep

OCT. 22 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Burglary | Theft Crimes

Burglary crimes happen, perhaps far more frequently than most people realize. The circumstances surrounding many of them prove that to be guilty, an offender never even has to break into a home – they simply need to help someone do it.

In Moorhead recently, three people were arrested for residential burglary. They were caught by police as they were committing the crime and now face felony first-degree burglary charges.

If you’re not familiar with the laws surrounding residential

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Halloween’s Different This Year — MN DUI Laws Are the Same

OCT. 23 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: DWI/DUI

Halloween is right around the corner and while many people are ready for some sense of normalcy for their families, COVID is still out there making people sick. Still — people haven’t given up entirely on trying to make Halloween great.

The self-proclaimed capital of Halloween world, Anoka, plans on still commemorating its 100^th festival with a drive-by parade and smaller crowds but want people to remain safe.

While a few things are looking different

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