Criminal Justice

The following write-ups are produced and maintained by Minnesota House Research Department, with some links provided to other sources.

Legislative Activity

• 2025 Act Summary - Chapter 35: Public Safety and Judiciary
• 2024 Act Summary - Chapter 123: Judiciary and Public Safety

Criminal Procedure

• Do Criminal Laws Deter Crime? Deterrence Theory in Criminal Justice: A Primer
  A 24-page primer that discusses criminal deterrence, which is one theory legislators can use to assess possible changes in criminal justice policy. January 2019.
• Liability for the Crimes of Another
• Bail and Pretrial Release in Minnesota
• Criminal Statutes of Limitations
  A 10-page publication overviewing criminal statutes of limitations in general and describing Minnesota's criminal statutes of limitations. September 2025.
• The Minnesota Judiciary: A Guide for Legislators
  A 31-page guidebook describing the structure, functions, personnel, and finances of the judicial branch of state government. September 2019.
• Prohibition Against Ex Post Facto Laws
• State Jury Service
  A brief description of how the jury system works. November 2025.
• The Tribal Law and Order Act and Minnesota

Victims' Rights

• Crime Victim Laws in Minnesota
  A 39-page publication summarizing the major features of Minnesota laws that protect the rights and interests of crime victims. December 2025.
• Domestic Abuse Laws in Minnesota: An Overview
  A 36-page publication summarizing the major features of Minnesota laws dealing with domestic abuse, including an explanation of the Domestic Abuse Act, criminal procedure provisions, and victim safety provisions. August 2024.

DWI and Traffic Offenses

• An Overview of Minnesota's DWI Laws
  A 22-page reference tool highlighting the major portions of DWI law. September 2025.
• Traffic Citations
  A 9-page information brief that provides an overview of citations for a traffic violation, focusing on basic penalties, assessment of fines, and allocation of fine proceeds. September 2019.

General Information

• Licensure of Minnesota Protective Agents Who Provide Personal Security
• Minnesota's Forfeiture Laws
  A 23-page information brief overviewing the state's general forfeiture laws for most felony offenses and special forfeiture laws for specific crimes. July 2022.

Juvenile Protection and Delinquency

• Reporting Maltreatment of Minors
  A 17-page overview of reporting maltreatment of minors as established in the Maltreatment of Minors Act. The act establishes a system for reporting possible child abuse and neglect, and its related laws and rules. July 2022.
• Youth and the Law
  A 140-page guidebook explaining state law and court cases that establish rights, responsibilities, and protections for youth, including information on economic protection, education, health and social services, and criminal justice. February 2024.
• School Resource Officers