The police department: 

• Investigates the crime
• Arrests person or people who commit the crime, when appropriate
• Files a report about the crime

Charges are filed by either the City or County attorney

• Misdemeanors by adults are handled by the Minneapolis City Attorney.
• Felonies by adults and all cases involving juvenile offenders are handled by the Hennepin County Attorney.

See examples of misdemeanors and felonies

If charges are filed, a court case is opened in Hennepin County

To find out if charges have been filed:

• Call 311 about misdemeanors
• Call 612-348-5561 about felonies and crimes by juveniles

To find the next court date for a case:

• Call the Hennepin County Clerk of Court at 612-348-2040, or
• Use the case number to check the court calendar

To learn more about misdemeanors and felonies:

Read the definitions in Minnesota statute

Read about how things work in Hennepin County

If charges are filed, the City will send a letter to victims identified in the police report. The letter will tell you:

• The next court date
• The name of the victim/witness specialist assigned to your case
• Your rights as a crime victim
• How to give input into the decision of the criminal case
• How to ask for restitution from the defendant

Learn about the role of your victim/witness specialist

Read about restitution

The steps in the court process are:

• Arraignment — the defendant's first court appearance
  • If the defendant is in custody, the court may set bail or grant release with certain conditions.
  • The defendant may enter a plea or ask for additional time to get an attorney.
• Pretrial — a preliminary hearing
  • The defendant, judge, prosecutor and defense attorney may attempt to resolve the case and avoid a trial.
• Trial —The attorneys present evidence to the judge.
  • Victims and witnesses may be called to testify.

After arraignment

• A victim/witness specialist might contact you to:
  • Get more details about the incident
  • Find out if you want to seek restitution 

If there is a trial

• You will likely receive a subpoena requiring you to appear to provide evidence.

Learn how our victim/witness specialists can help you

If defendants are found or plead guilty they are punished.

• The process of determining the punishment is called sentencing.
• It is the last step of the court process.
• Common forms of punishment are: 
  
  • Fines
  • Time in jail or prison

See the sentencing process for misdemeanors

See the sentencing process for felonies

At the time of sentencing, you can give a Victim Impact Statement

• This is your chance to tell the person who committed the crime how their actions affected you.
• Victim impact statements may be written or presented orally.
• The Victim/Witness Specialist assigned to you can help you with your statement.

See Minnesota Statute 611A.038 — Right to submit a statement at sentencing

Read more about victim impact statements