MN HF741

Defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses must be released on personal recognizance unless the court determines substantial likelihood they will not appear in court or pose a threat to victim safety.

Courts cannot impose financial conditions of release, including money bail, that result in pretrial detention of misdemeanor defendants.

If a defendant remains in custody more than 48 hours after a financial condition is imposed, courts must review the conditions and a rebuttable presumption arises that the financial condition caused pretrial detention.

Exceptions to these restrictions apply to violations of driving under the influence (169A.20), domestic abuse (518B.01), assault (609.224 and 609.2242), and harassment and stalking offenses (609.748 and 609.749).

The effective date is August 1, 2020.