SF555

SF555 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

City attorneys provisions modifications and authorizations

Related bill: HF698

AI Generated Summary

Senate File No. 555 is a bill introduced in Minnesota that aims to empower city attorneys with additional responsibilities in juvenile delinquency and criminal cases. Specifically, the bill proposes the following changes:

City Attorneys Handling Delinquency Petitions: The bill allows city attorneys to file delinquency petitions for certain offenses committed by juveniles if the county attorney decides not to do so.
Prosecution of Certain Felonies and Gross Misdemeanors: City attorneys are authorized to prosecute specific felony and gross misdemeanor offenses in situations where the county attorney declines to prosecute.
Administrative Subpoenas: City attorneys are granted the authority to issue administrative subpoenas in certain cases.
Amendments to Existing Laws: The bill includes amendments to various sections of Minnesota Statutes 2024 to make these changes possible.

The bill specifies that these new powers for city attorneys would apply under particular conditions such as when the incident involves an offense against a peace officer and the violation occurred within the city limits. This measure appears to be designed to ensure that criminal offenses, particularly those involving juveniles or serious crimes, are adequately addressed even if the county attorney opts not to take action.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 22, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 22, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New definitions for terms related to city attorney roles in juvenile cases."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill affects the general definitions for juvenile delinquency matters under section 260B.007.",
      "modified": [
        "Revises existing definitions to align with city attorney authorizations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.007"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows city attorneys in Hennepin County to file delinquency petitions under specific conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifies the procedures for filing juvenile delinquency petitions under section 260B.141.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the conditions under which city attorneys can act instead of county attorneys."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.141"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "City attorneys are given rights to participate under certain conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends provisions related to hearings in juvenile court under section 260B.163.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates rules regarding the presence and role of attorneys in court."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.163"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions ensuring records access for city attorneys."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Pertains to records maintenance relating to juveniles as per section 260B.171.",
      "modified": [
        "Delineates conditions under which records can be accessed by city attorneys."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.171"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Concerns the transfer to adult court procedures under section 260B.335.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates the authority city attorneys have in proceedings that may lead to a transfer."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.335"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Regulations related to appeals in juvenile matters under section 260B.425.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the appeal rights and involved parties, including city attorneys."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260B.425"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Addresses the duties and responsibilities of county attorneys under section 388.051.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts responsibilities where city attorneys are involved."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "388.051"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Covers aspects of prosecution under section 388.23.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies prosecutorial roles shared between county and city attorneys."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "388.23"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Coroner's duties regarding inquests under section 390.25.",
      "modified": [
        "Refines involvement of city attorneys in certain investigations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "390.25"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "City attorneys given specific prosecutorial powers."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Authorizes qualifications and duties under section 484.87.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts aligned responsibilities of judicial officers and attorneys."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "484.87"
  }
]