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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the difference between the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office? What is the difference between the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office?The Minneapolis City Attorney's Office represents the City of Minneapolis, its elected officials and staff, City departments and the City’s independent boards and commissions in all civil matters. In addition, the Office prosecutes petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases occurring within the City. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office prosecutes felony level criminal cases, or cases involving juvenile offenders (person under 18 years of age). Typical felony offenses include, but are not limited to the following: Robbery, terroristic threats, motor vehicle theft, theft or damage to property where the value stolen or damaged is over $1000, assault with a dangerous weapon, criminal sexual conduct, child neglect and burglary. Typical misdemeanor offenses include, but are not limited to the following: Simple assault – domestic or non-domestic, disorderly conduct, trespassing, consuming alcohol in public, driver’s license or insurance violations, driving under the influence of alcohol, loitering with intent, possession of drug paraphernalia in public, violation of an order for protection or a harassment/restraining order, theft or damage to property where the value of the stolen or damaged property is less than $1000, careless or reckless driving and most petty traffic offenses. Contact Numbers: Felony Criminal Prosecution Juvenile Criminal Prosecution Does the City Attorney's Office represent private citizens?No. The Minneapolis City Attorney's Office does not represent individuals in private legal matters and cannot provide any legal advice to individuals. Attorneys in the Office represent the City's elected officials and staff, City departments, and the City’s independent boards and commissions. I have pending criminal case and I need some legal advice or representation. Who can I contact?If you have a pending criminal case and are looking for legal advice or representation, you should contact the following places: Legal Advice and Representation for private or personal legal matters: How do I report a crime?All violations of law or court orders, and reporting of criminal activity must be made to a law enforcement agency, such as the Minneapolis Police Department. For crimes that have already occurred, please contact Minneapolis 311 or 612-673-3000. For crimes in progress or an emergency, call 9-1-1. How do I get a domestic order for protection?Call the Domestic Abuse Service Center - (612) 348-5073. A domestic order for protection is a Court order that a victim of domestic abuse by a family or household member can apply for to prohibit that person from having any contact with the victim and to prohibit future acts of domestic abuse. In order to apply for an order for protection, your relationship to the person whom you are seeking the order against must be as a: 1. spouses and former spouses; 2. parents and children; 3. persons related by blood; 4. persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past; 5. persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time; 6. a man and woman if the woman is pregnant and the man is alleged to be the father, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time; and 7. persons involved in a significant romantic or sexual relationship. How do I get a harassment restraining order?Go the Self Help Center on the 2nd level of the Hennepin County Government Center, located at 300 South Sixth Street in Minneapolis. They do not take appointments or phone calls. It is walk in service only. The Self Help Center will help fill out the appropriate paperwork A harassment restraining order is a Court order that a victim of harassment by another person can apply for to prohibit that person from having any contact with the victim and to prohibit future harassment. In order to apply for a harassment restraining order, you do not need to have a specific relationship to the other person. I suspect my neighbor is dealing narcotics. Who do I call?Contact the Minneapolis Police Department Narcotics Unit at (612) 673-3455, or the Minneapolis Police Department Community Response Team in your police precinct. If you witness an emergency situation, call 9-1-1. I am a defendant. How do I find out the next court date?Call the Hennepin County Clerk of Court at (612) 348-2040. I am a victim or concerned citizen. How do I provide input on a criminal case?If you are a victim of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor crime being prosecuted by the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office and wish to provide input or learn about services that are available to you, please contact the Crime Victim Liaison Program in the City Attorney’s Office – 612-673-2467. If you are a concerned citizen please provide your input using the Community Impact Statement process through this web site. If the case is a felony -- contact the Hennepin County Victim Advocate office at 612-348-4003 I am a victim, witness or concerned citizen. How do I find out the status of a criminal case?If you are trying to find out if a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor case has been charged yet – contact the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office by calling 3-1-1 or if outside the Minneapolis area, by contacting 612-673-3000. If the case has been charged and you are trying to find out the status or next court date – contact the Hennepin County Clerk of Court - (612) 348-2040. If the case is a felony – contact the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office – 612-348-5561. I have a warrant out for my arrest. Who do I call?If there is an active warrant - contact the Hennepin County Sheriff's office at (612) 348-2000. To check to see if there is a warrant against you, go to City Hall, Room 22. I missed my court date. What do I do now?When you don't show up in court for a scheduled court date, a warrant is automatically issued for your arrest by the presiding judge (called a "bench warrant"). If you have missed your court date and have an active warrant - contact the Hennepin County Sheriff's office at (612) 348-2000. I have received a subpoena. What does it mean and do I have to come to court?A subpoena is a lawful court order requiring you to appear in court at a certain date and time to be a witness in a trial or hearing. If you do not respond to the subpoena or you do not appear in court on the scheduled date, you are breaking the law. If you need to discuss scheduling options, contact the prosecuting attorney listed in the subpoena as soon as possible. How do I file a complaint against a Minneapolis police officer?Contact either the Civilian Police Review Authority (612) 673-5500, or the Minneapolis Police Department Internal Affairs Division (612) 673-3074. My car has been towed. Who do I call?Contact the Minneapolis Impound lot - (612) 673-5777. How do I file a claim against the City?To file a claim against the City, contact Risk Management - (612) 673-2969. The types of claims Risk Management deals with:
I am a defendant and I need a continuance on my criminal case. What do I do?If this is the first request for a continuance and the case is not a domestic assault charge or a petty court trial, contact the Hennepin County Clerk of Court at (612)-348-2040. If you have an attorney, your attorney must make the phone call. In all other cases, the defendant or defense attorney needs the approval of the prosecutor. In these cases, contact the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office by calling 3-1-1 or if outside the Minneapolis area, by contacting 612-673-3000. I am a victim and want to have my case referred for possible criminal charges.Contact Minneapolis 311 and provide them with your contact information and police report (CCN) number. If you are calling regarding a domestic case (assault, violation of a restraining order/order for protection or domestic abuse no contact order, interference with a 911 call, etc.) involving your current or ex-spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend, Minneapolis 311 will refer you to the Domestic Abuse Service Center at 612-348-5073. If you are calling on a non-domestic case (including a case involving a family member such as a parent, sibling or child), Minneapolis 311 will refer your information to the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office where an attorney will review the report and make a charging decision within the next 60 day. You will be notified in writing as to the charging decision How do I get my property back from the police?Contact the Minneapolis Police Department’s Property and Evidence Unit at (612)-673-2932. If not found there then contact the police officer or precinct. Be aware that some property may be held as evidence and will not be released until the pending criminal case has been resolved. How do I get a copy of the police report, accident report or other discovery?If the case is currently charged and pending in court, you must make a written request for all discovery and documents to the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Discovery Clerk. The request may be mailed to the attention of our discovery clerk at our address – 333 South 7th Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55402 or faxed to (612) 673-3649. If the case is closed or was never charged, you must contact the Minneapolis Police Department Records Unit – Room 31 in City Hall or call (612) 673-2961. I don’t live in Minnesota and have a pending criminal case. How can I resolve it?If you do not live in Minnesota or the Minneapolis area, you can contact the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office to see if there is a possibility of resolving your case through the mail without having to appear in person. You may contact the City Attorney’s Office by calling 3-1-1 or if outside the Minneapolis area, by contacting 612-673-3000. I am the victim of a domestic assault or related crime. What should I do or what services are available?Tips on what you should do if you are the victim of a domestic assault |