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Charlie Rooney

Charlie Rooney

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Eric Nelson

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Debbie Lang

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Dave Risk

Dave Risk

Super Lawyer (2014-present)

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Christina Zauhar

Christina Zauhar

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Marsh Halberg

Marsh Halberg

Top Six Criminal Defense Attorneys (Mpls/St. Paul Magazine)

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Lucas Dawson

Lucas Dawson

Super Lawyer Rising Star (2017-present)

Human Services Background Study Eligibility Task Force - Remedies Subcommittee Chair 2022

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Zach Graham

Zach Graham

J.D. St. Thomas School of Law, cum laude

Licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Achieved successful outcomes for clients in district court and on appeal

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Felony Sentencing Part II


HomePractice AreasBlogs - Felony Sentencing 2

Felony Sentencing in Minnesota – Part II: Sentencing Guidelines and Repeat Offenders

In Part I of our blog on felony sentencing in Minnesota, we looked at the differences between those states which use a determinate sentencing structure – such as Minnesota – and ones which have an indeterminate sentencing system.

Here, inPart II, we will examine the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines and describe how they apply to almost every felony conviction in the state.

In 1978, the Minnesota legislature took the first step to transition to a determinate sentencing structure by establishing the nation’s first sentencing guidelines commission – The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission (MSGC). The stated goals of MSGC were to develop and maintain rational and consistent sentencing standards that promote public safety; reduce sentencing disparity; and ensure proportionality in sanctions based on the severity of the offense and the offender’s criminal history (taking into account whether the individual is a repeat offender).

Based on the Commission’s findings, in 1981 Minnesota became the first state to implement a sentencing guidelines structure leading to the elimination of Minnesota’s Parole Board in 1982.

The MSGC meets each year to determine what “presumptive” sentence will apply to each of Minnesota’s felony level crimes (expressed as a number in months that is well below the maximum sentence for the crime charged). First, the offense is ranked on a scale of one (least severe) to ten (most severe).

Next, the MSGC outlines how a criminal history score will be computed. The criminal history score considers whether the person is a repeat offender of the crime charged or has a prior criminal history expressed from zero (no criminal history) to six or more (significant criminal history).

Finally, the Commission fixes the actual number of months that an offender is expected to serve – the “presumptive” sentence. This is factored on the severity level of the offense as well as the criminal history score. For some crimes, the number is calculated within a range of months. The guideline sentence will be within this range, and judges are expected to sentence at the presumptive level and never outside of the range unless a departure is warranted.

The guidelines also determine whether an offender will receive a probationary sentence or will be immediately transferred to prison from the courthouse. The vast majority of felony offenders in Minnesota will receive a probationary sentence, while some repeat offenders will be sentenced to lengthy prison sentences.

With a probationary sentence, an offender can be sentenced to up to one year in a county jail, where he or she may be eligible for work release, monitored community service, home detention, and other programs unavailable in prison.

An offender serving a probationary sentence will not face incarceration in a state-run prison facility unless he or she has violated the terms and conditions of probation.

Guideline sentences are calculated by the MSGC based on ‘typical’ circumstances. A typical cases where the crime was committed in a manner either more or less severe than usual, may justify a departure from the Guidelines. A departure is any sentenced pronounced by the court that is different than the sentence recommended by the guidelines. By law, whenever a judge departs from a guideline sentence –upwards or downwards –the reasons for the departure must be specifically articulated and placed in the court record for later review if the sentence is appealed by the prosecutor or the defendant.

In over 95 percent of cases resulting in a felony conviction in Minnesota, the offender receives a presumptive sentence. And, except for the range, it is the guidelines – not the Judge – that will determine the length of the sentence, or whether the offender goes to prison.

With the determinative sentencing structure set forth in the Guidelines by the MSGC and approved by the legislature, Minnesota judges have little individual discretion regarding whether or not an offender goes to prison and what time must be served. This is true regardless of whether the person is a repeat offender or facing his or her first felony conviction.

Whether you find yourself facing felony charges for the first time or the state is prosecuting you a repeat offender, you need a criminal defense attorney with deep legal knowledge of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines and a willingness to fight on your behalf in any court.

At Halberg Criminal Defense, our team approach puts the firm’s collective knowledge and experience in your corner. Our attorneys are available 24-7 — Call us at 612-DEFENSE (612-333-3673).

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