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Legal Topics: Criminal Law and Procedure

Statutes and Rules (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.):

  • United States Constitution, Bill of Rights.
  • Minnesota Constitution, Article 1, Bill of Rights.
  • Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609, Criminal Code.
  • Rules of Criminal Procedure.

    • Resources, Minnesota: (Print resources are available at the Law Library and in county law libraries around the state.)

  • Criminal Statutes of Limitations, from the Minnesota House Research Department.
  • Court forms, from the Minnesota Judiciary.
  • Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure Appendix of Forms.
  • Dunnell Minnesota Digest, Minnesota's legal encyclopedia, article on Criminal Law.
  • McCarr, Henry W. and Jack S. Nordby. Criminal Law and Procedure, 3rd ed. (West Group, 2001) Reference Desk KFM5480 .M53.
  • Videos & Tutorials, from the Self-Help Center.

    • Court pages:

  • Criminal Court, from the Eighth District Courts.
  • The Criminal Division, from the Second District (Ramsey County) Courts.
  • Criminal Court, from the Fourth District (Hennepin County) courts.
  • Criminal Law Resources, from the Fourth District (Hennepin County) courts.
  • Frequently Asked Questions, from the Fourth District (Hennepin County) courts.

    • Resources, General:

  • Criminal Law, from Nolo.
  • Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ, from Nolo.
  • Defendants' Rights During a Court Trial: The Bill of Rights, from Nolo.
  • Miranda Rights: What Happens If Police Don't 'Read Your Rights', from Nolo.

    • Appeals:

  • Filing a Criminal Appeal, from the Court of Appeals Self-Help Center.
  • McCarr, Henry W. and Jack S. Nordby. Criminal Law and Procedure, Chapters 37, Appeals to the Court of Appeals, and 38, Appeals to the Supreme Court.

    • Post-Conviction Relief:

  • Filing a Postconviction Appeal, from the Court of Appeals Self-Help Center.
  • Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 590, Post Conviction Relief.
  • McCarr, Henry W. and Jack S. Nordby. Criminal Law and Procedure, Chapter 39, Post Conviction Proceedings.
  • Dunnell Minnesota Digest, Minnesota's legal encyclopedia, article on Criminal Law, sections 16.00-16.12.

    • Withdrawal of Guilty Plea:

  • Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 15, Guilty Plea Procedures, 15.05, Plea Withdrawal.
  • McCarr, Henry W. and Jack S. Nordby. Criminal Law and Procedure, Chapter 19, Pleas, sections 19.26-19.36.
  • Dunnell Minnesota Digest, Minnesota's legal encyclopedia, article on Criminal Law, section 10.09.

    • Related Topics: Sentencing; Expungement; Appeals.

    Referral Suggestions.

    DISCLAIMER:  As librarians and not lawyers, we can suggest resources but cannot give legal advice (such as which form to file), or legal opinions, (such as how a statute might apply to particular facts.)  To do so could be considered the unauthorized practice of law.  Even though we try to suggest materials that will be of help, further research is usually required to find a complete and correct answer.  For many questions, the best answer may be to consult an attorney.  For links to resources on finding an attorney, see http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/selfhelp.html#atty.

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    Minnesota State Law Library: Legal Topics: Criminal Law and Procedure
    http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/crimpro.html

    Last updated on May 8, 2012.
    Links checked on July 12, 2011.

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