Dismissing a potential juror because of their race is illegal, but the statistics suggest it’s still happening. The practice of dismissing a juror based on race has been outlawed for more than 40 years, dating back when the practice was prohibited in the ruling Batson v. Kentucky. It seems to still be occurring though, and we take a closer look at the statistics in today’s blog on racial bias in jury selection.
The Innocence Project took a closer look at juror dismissal data and studies from across the US. Here’s what they found:
The Batson ruling has been in place for more than 40 years, but it doesn’t appear that the case is being applied as it should in the courtroom. A “public jury of one’s peers” should be a mix of men and women of all races, but it seems much more likely that you’ll be dismissed from jury duty if you’re Black. Maybe you secretly hope to be excused from jury duty, but that should happen the correct way, not because a lawyer or a prosecutor has a problem with someone’s skin color.
We analyze a number of factors when working to determine who would be right or potentially problematic for jury selection, and race certainly doesn’t factor into the equation in a negative way. We’ll also build an airtight defense that will put you in a favorable position no matter who is on the jury.
If you or someone you know is facing legal trouble, send them our way. We have decades of experience helping clients, and we want to be a resource for you in the event you’re charged with a crime. To get in contact with a lawyer, or to set up a free case evaluation, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
]]>In a recent study called “Prime Time for Crime? A Multi-City Analysis of Sporting Events, Sports Venues, and Crime,” researchers explored how major sporting events shape crime in surrounding areas. They took a closer look at crime data from 21 U.S. cities between 2015 and 2023 to see how game-day crowds influenced crime patterns around the stadium. They uncovered that not all crime follows the same playbook. For starters, researchers found that:
“Sporting events create predictable shifts in routine activity.” said study lead author Travis Carter, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Omaha School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “When large crowds gather, opportunities for both property crime and interpersonal violence increase—but not in the same way or at the same time.”
The findings add to what we already know about how major sporting events can influence crime rates. Previously we explored how sports results, particularly unexpected losses, can lead to higher rates of domestic violence, but now we can add theft and assault to the mix.
If you’re heading downtown to catch a Gophers or Vikings game this year, be aware that you’re heading to a potentially emotionally-charged event, and acknowledge the heightened crime risk. Keep your alcohol consumption in check, lock your vehicle and don’t pick fights with other fans. Of course, if something spirals and you or someone you know ends up being arrested, know that we’re here for you. Give Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm a call today and we can help sort out your criminal charges. For more information, or to set up a free case evaluation, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
]]>One of the main reasons why you’ll want a lawyer if you are arrested for drunk driving over Labor Day weekend is because most times you won’t be released from jail until you can be brought before a judge to have the charges formally read to you. As you are probably aware, Minnesota courts are closed on Saturday and Sunday, which means if you are arrested Friday evening, you could be held until Monday. With Labor Day weekend, the courts are also closed on Monday, meaning you could spend an extra day in jail waiting to be brought before a judge. It’s possible that you may not be released until Tuesday.
Not only do you not want to spend that many days in jail, but it could also have an impact on your family life or your career. You want to secure your release from jail as quickly as possible, but that’s not always easy to do from that side of the bars.
Enter a lawyer. They can get the process rolling and secure your release before you are brought before a judge, meaning you can be released days earlier. This allows you to get back on with your life and avoid major disruptions that could have significant long-term consequences. We answer our phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including throughout the nights of Labor Day weekend to ensure you can get in touch with a lawyer if you need one. It doesn’t matter if it’s 3:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m., we are ready to answer the call if needed.
Of course, we’d prefer that you make smarter choices this weekend and avoid run-ins with the law if possible. You know police will be out with extra force, so keep your speed in check, buckle up, put the distractions down and never get behind the wheel if you’ve had too much to drink. We can assist if it comes to that, but hopefully you, your friends and your family make wise decisions this Labor Day.
But if a mistake happens, make the next best decision and contact the team at Appelman Law Firm. Give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
]]>That’s because thousands of school buses in Minnesota are now equipped with “stop arm cameras” which begin recording every time the stop arm is engaged. Speed past a bus when it’s slowing down or approaching children? Odds are the camera caught it, and there’s a decent chance that police will issue you a citation if they deem that you are in violation of the law.
Back in March, Minnesota lawmakers updated a law in an effort to stop drivers from attempting to “beat the arm” when they noticed that a bus was starting to slow down. Instead of requiring that drivers halt for a bus that is stopped with its red flashing lights on and the stop arm engaged, now drivers must prepare to stop as soon as the red warning lights are turned on, which is before the stop arm is fully engaged. Requiring drivers to stop as soon as these earlier alerts occur – and equipping stop arms with recording devices – should help reduce the number of drivers who try to pass a school bus before it fully stops.
Per the law, drivers are required to stop at least 20 feet back in all directions from a bus whenever its red lights are flashing. It’s not just about the arm anymore. If you see the flashing warning lights, know that you need to give the bus at least 20 feet of space.
The data shows a concerning trend when it comes to stop arm violations across Minnesota over the last few years. Here’s a look at stop arm violation citation data by year:
2021 – 773
2022 – 1,012
2023 – 1,864
2024 – 2,105
2025 – 2,063
Although we did technically see a decline in stop arm violations last year, the numbers from 2025 are the second highest on record, and nearly three times as high as the numbers from 2021.
A citation for a stop arm violation isn’t cheap, either. Drivers can face fines up to $500 dollars if found to have committed a stop arm violation, and those penalties can increase if the driver passes the school bus on the right or injures a person in the process of passing the bus.
Speaking from personal experience, bus stop arm violation cases are tough to win. We all can empathize with normal speeding on the highway, but when you pass a school bus and put a child’s life in danger, you’re going to get less sympathy from the judge and court. We’ll help you any way we can, but your best bet is to make smart choices on the road and avoid a citation altogether. Remember, the bus arms are recording and can catch you passing on the left, so know that you can be ticketed even if police don’t witness the violation!
Stay safe and let’s ensure our children have a wonderful school year.
]]>We covered the original arrest story earlier this year when Engen told police he was “sober cabbing” two other passengers, including Republican Rep. Walter Hudson, when he was stopped by police in White Bear Lake. Hudson claimed that a “bottle of alcohol” in a child’s car seat in the rear passenger area of the pickup belonged to him, but police didn’t buy that Engen was completely sober behind the wheel. Engen was asked to take a breathalyzer, which revealed that he was operating the vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.13%, more than one and a half times the legal limit. He later told officers he consumed two beers that evening.
“To my family, colleagues and constituents. I am deeply sorry,” Engen said in a statement following his arrest. “I strive to be a man of great character, and my actions fell short last night. I will learn from this. I will do better.”
Engen officially pleaded guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor DWI with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 within two hours, according to court documents.
All in all, this is a pretty tame plea deal for someone who was well over the 0.08 limit. He did not cause an accident, he was not more than double the legal BAC (where upgraded charges become standard) and he doesn’t appear to have any previous drunk driving arrests on his record, so it’s not all that surprising that his legal team was able to negotiate a favorable plea deal. He’ll have to keep things in check during his probation period, but he’s not going to spend any time in jail, and he shouldn’t experience any real interruption with his legislative work. His case is a testament to having a competent legal time on your side when you make a mistake and want to avoid a worst case scenario.
If you run into a similar problem or you need help navigating a criminal matter, pick up the phone and reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today. We answer our phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us day or night at (952) 224-2277 and let us help you out of a sticky situation.
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