Eden Prairie Hockey Stick Attack Ends in Felony Charge
Smoleroff is charged with first-degree damage to property and obstructing legal process after an incident on Jan. 11 in the parking lot of a Lunds and Byerly’s in Eden Prairie.
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Legal
17 articlestagged “Legal”
Saint Paul Officers Cleared in Fatal 2024 Shooting Of Homicide Suspect
In a decision memo dated Dec. 12, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office concluded that Officers Matthew Foy and Eric Jaworski acted lawfully when they shot Mychel Allan Stowers, 36.
‘Red Flag’ Orders: How They’re Being Enforced in 2025
It’s been nearly two years since Minnesota’s "Red Flag" law went into effect. Despite initial confusion, court data from the first two years of the law's operation shows exactly how judges are applying it.
Eyes in the Sky: The Rules of Police Drones Over Your Backyard
While this technology allows officers to "see" a scene before they arrive, it has raised valid privacy concerns. Here is what Minnesota law actually says about the camera hovering over your neighborhood.
Selling Death: Why Dealers Are Facing Murder Charges
While "Murder 3" was once rare, the explosion of fentanyl has made it a standard tool in the prosecutorial belt. Here’s how the law works and why it is catching so many dealers off-guard.
Carjacking vs. Auto Theft: ‘Force Factor’ Explains Jail Time
Understanding this legal distinction explains why two teenagers arrested for "stealing cars" can face drastically different fates—one released to their parents, the other certified as an adult facing a decade in prison.
‘Mailbox Ticket’ Arrives: Minnesota’s Speed Cameras Explained
Unlike the controversial "red light cameras" of the early 2000s (which were ruled unconstitutional in State v. Kuhlman), this new system was built with specific legal guardrails to survive court challenges.
The ‘Snow Emergency’ Rulebook: Your Rights When the Tow Arrives
For thousands of residents, this means the dreaded "Snow Emergency" dance. But before you pay a $300 impound fee, you need to know your rights under Minnesota's towing statutes.
A $500 Mistake: Minnesota’s Strict School Bus Stop-Arm Laws
Making the wrong choice is expensive. Under Minnesota law, violating a school bus stop arm is not a typical traffic ticket. It can lead to drastic changes to your driving privileges.
The PIT Maneuver: How Police End High-Speed Chases
When a pursuit becomes too dangerous to continue, officers have a tool to end it forcibly: the Pursuit Intervention Technique, commonly known as the PIT maneuver.
1 Crash, No License Until 18: Understanding ‘Vanessa's Law’
For a teenager with a provisional license, a relatively minor crash can trigger a "nuclear option" in Minnesota law that strips them of driving privileges until their 18th birthday.
Legal Cannabis, Illegal Drive: The ‘Open Package’ Trap
Just like alcohol, there is a strict "Open Package Law" for cannabis in cars, and violating it is one of the easiest ways to turn a routine traffic stop into a criminal misdemeanor.