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

KEYSER LAW BLOG

Snapchat Videos Lead to Arson Charges in Minnesota

JULY 3 2020

Category: Arson

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, many cities across America have seen riots and destruction mixed in with peaceful protests. In Colorado, a 22-year old man was arrested for setting a police station on fire, a crime that landed him in federal court.

How was he caught? A Snapchat video shows him lighting the device used to set fire to the building in question.

Arson is a major crime no matter where it occurs, but committing

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Minneapolis May Abolish Its Police Force — What Does This Mean?

JUNE 29 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Criminal Defense | Police

In the wake of the death of George Floyd, an idea that has been around for quite some time is starting to gain some traction: defunding the police.

The idea of “defunding” the police is something many people have a negative knee-jerk reaction to. However, what defunding or abolishing police inside and outside of Minneapolis means may surprise you. Here’s what you need to know.

Abolishing the Police in Minneapolis: What Does It Mean?

Proponents of

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Have Questions About Police and Excessive Force? We Have Answers

JUNE 18 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Excessive Force | Police

Police officers are bound to uphold the law as well as protect the rights of law-abiding citizens. However, if you’ve seen police responding to peaceful protests over the last few weeks, you could be forgiven for having no idea that that is what they are duty-bound to do.

According to Insider, police have been firing rubber bullets, tear gas, and other non-lethal projectiles at peaceful protestors — as well as journalists. Especially in conjunction with protests related

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Six Times There’s No Question You Need a Minnesota Defense Attorney

JUNE 15 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Criminal Defense | Criminal Law Specialist

There are six primary categories of felonies in the state of Minnesota and the last thing you want is to find yourself being charged with one.

However, every year hundreds are brought up on felony charges for dozens of different reasons. Most of these people probably did not plan on facing felony charges and were likely unprepared.

You don’t want to be brought up on felony charges without an attorney. But, understanding where an attorney can come

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Alcohol with Your Take-Out in MN Now? One Less Reason to Drive Drunk

JUNE 5 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: DWI/DUI

There have been a lot of changes to the ways things are done due to COVID-19. Some things are more restrictive while others are less – including to-go beer and wine with your Minnesota takeout orders.

The Star Tribune reported in April that laws have been temporarily relaxed in order to let people buy beer and wine to go with takeout orders from restaurants. While this change is certainly convenient, it also is one less excuse for you

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Amid Pandemic Arrest Reduction, When Is MN Retail Theft a Priority?

JUNE 5 2020

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Shoplifting/Retail Theft

When it comes to arrests for non-violent and low-level crimes, law enforcement agencies in Minnesota have shifted their focus. For instance, the Star Tribune reports Twin Cities law enforcement is looking to tackle crimes that pose a clear threat to society right now.

All of this, an effort to curtail court proceedings and reduce jail populations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. So does this mean that non-violent offenders are off the hook?

Afraid not!

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MAY 26 2020

Pandemic-Related Hate Crimes Will Land You Enhanced Sentencing in MN

Published By: Chris Keyser

Category: Hate Crimes

Reports are coming from cities throughout the country that Asians and Asian Americans being targeted for harassment and assault related to COVID-19.

These crimes appear to carry a racial element of bias some people believe stems from the President’s describing the virus at one point as the “Chinese virus.”

In response to the uptick in hate crimes, Minnesota law enforcement is committed to curbing crimes committed with this bias, and to prosecute offenders to the full extent

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