What are my constitutional rights in criminal matters?
The United States Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution set out constitutional rights that affect every individual finding themselves facing criminal matters in Minnesota courts. Your constitutional rights are your strongest protection against improper police conduct and wrongful conviction. Your constitutional rights include, but are not limited to, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, protection from “ex post facto” laws (the State cannot pass a law after a person has committed an act, and then prosecute the person for the prior act), the protection against excessive bail, the protection against double jeopardy, the right to remain silent, the broad rights to due process and equal protection, and the right to be informed of the nature of the charges that have been filed against you and of potential punishments. The most important trial rights include the right to legal counsel, the presumption of innocence and requirement that the State prove guilt by p
