Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.
Read More »Becker-Finn champions equity, justice
A candid Q&A with Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, the House Judiciary’s rookie chair, who's a career prosecutor, a stalwart defender of equity and an opponent of racism, prejudice and privilege.
Read More »Justices tighten up third-degree murder law
In a decision with implications for the Derek Chauvin trial, the state Supreme Court has ruled that pattern jury instructions, long used by judges in third-degree depraved-mind murder cases, have been used in error.
Read More »Bar Buzz: Six in running for 6th District bench
Six finalists have been named for a pair of judgeships in the state’s 6th Judicial District. The state’s Judicial Selection Commission named the batch of finalists on March 26.
Read More »Ruling gives sex-crime bill Supreme boost
Last week’s unanimous State v. Khalil opinion, written by state Supreme Court Justice Paul Thissen, name checks Rep. Kelly Moller’s House File 707 and lifts a passage directly from it.
Read More »Capitol Retort: Reinstated charge; grievous injury; big event
Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.
Read More »In the Hopper: Recent floor action in House and Senate
After a slow start to House floor activity early in the 2021 legislative session, action picked up last week. Meanwhile, the Senate kept chugging along. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the more pertinent bills that passed off each floor in recent days.
Read More »Schnell pitches early-release plan
Offenders could get out after serving half their time under the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act.
Read More »Bar Buzz: Walz offered 3 finalists for 1st District judge’s seat
The Commission on Judicial Selection has recommended three finalists for the judgeship that is opening up with the retirement of 1st District Court Judge Rex D. Stacey.
Read More »Justices: Epileptic offender’s rights not violated
An epileptic predatory offender who sought to undo his conditional release revocation and prevent the Department of Corrections from using his epilepsy as a basis for future revocations has lost his case.
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