I’m Being Ordered to Pay Restitution in MN — What Does That Mean?

When people say that “crime doesn’t pay,” they’re not exactly being truthful. While it is true that crime won’t end well for anyone involved, it can end in expenses for both the perpetrator and the victim.

Courts in Minnesota often side with the victim when it comes to who is responsible for paying up. Minnesota judges have the authority to order an offender to pay something called restitution to the victims of their crimes.

If you’re not familiar with restitution, then you’re not alone. Here’s what everyone needs to know about restitution, how it’s ordered, how it’s paid, and who is eligible to receive it.

As part of a criminal case, restitution is [...]

MN Government Employees Have Rights Under ADA Laws

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was groundbreaking legislation that sought to help those with disabilities reduce instances of discrimination in the workplace.

Just as with most legislation, though, it’s a law that not every employer observes at all times – even if the employer is the government.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services itself, in fact, is facing scrutiny after they’ve been accused of not providing workplace accommodations under the ADA. Employees at DHS with disabilities believe they have faced unfair treatment that made their jobs more difficult.

So what exactly is required of employers under the ADA, anyway? Every employer wishing to adhere to equal opportunity philosophies should know. Learn here about this legislation [...]

MN Orders for Protection Can Get Sticky Around the Holidays

Most people are familiar, thanks to television and movies, with the idea of a restraining order. Still, orders for protection can be difficult to understand for those involved in personal situations of domestic violence.

In Minnesota, there are three different types of orders that can be issued to protect the petitioner from a person they believe can and would harm them. No contact orders, restraining orders, and orders for protection are all common, but it’s the last one that should be talked about this time of the year. After all, the holidays right around the corner.

Here’s what you need to know about orders for protection in Minnesota and how those named in them could unintentionally [...]

MN Legislators Still Side with Feds on Recreational Marijuana

Even though many Minnesota voters want to see the blanket legalization of marijuana in the state, the recreational use of marijuana is still illegal. Minnesota statutes still very much align with federal laws on marijuana being used recreationally.

That doesn’t seem to stop folks from doing it anyway. In October, a traffic stop in Nobles County, for instance, led to the discovery of 70 pounds of marijuana.

The stop resulted in charges of second-degree drug possession and first-degree drug sale for the driver, both serious crimes that can potentially lead to up to 30 years in jail and fines in the millions.

Legislators Working to Legalize, but for Now, Recreational Use is Illegal

Contrary to the [...]