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Legal FAQsGeneral
Crime victims and witnesses
Neighborhood quality-of-life issues
Criminal defendants
GeneralDoes the City Attorney’s Office represent private individuals?No. The City Attorney’s Office exists to serve the municipal corporation that is the City of Bloomington, as well as its elected officials, staff and boards and commissions. It does not provide legal advice or representation in private legal matters. Individuals with private legal disputes, issues or questions should contact a private attorney. Lawyer referral services can be found at Minnesota Courts, the Hennepin County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, 612-752-6666 and Minnesota Find a Lawyer. How do I file a claim against the City?Contact the Risk and Litigation Manager at 952-563-4932. Typical claims include property damage caused by a squad car, snow plow or other City vehicle. How do I file a complaint against the Bloomington Police Department?The City Attorney's Office does not oversee any of the operations of the Police Department. Complainants should contact the Police Commander of Professional Standards, 952-563-4900, to request an investigation. How can I address private trespass issues such as intruding tree branches, fallen trees or branches, snow placement, fence placement or other boundary issues?These are private property disputes between neighbors that are not regulated by City ordinance. The City Attorney cannot advise or represent you in this type of matter and you need to contact private legal counsel. Lawyer referral services can be found at Minnesota Courts, the Hennepin County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, 612-752-6666 and Minnesota Find a Lawyer. Crime victims and witnessesI'm the victim of a domestic assault. Is there someone I can call for help?Call the Police Department at 9-1-1- for emergencies or 952-563-4900 for non-emergencies. A valuable resource for Bloomington residents is Cornerstone Victims Advocacy Service 952-884-0330 (24 hours)/ 1-866-223-1111 (crisis line). Someone has committed a crime against me. What is the legal process?The City Attorney’s Officer cannot pursue criminal charges without a police report. First, file a police report with the Bloomington Police Department. If it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters call 952-563-4900. If police determine that there is sufficient evidence that an offense has been committed, the Police Department will forward the report to either the City Attorney's Office or the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. Either a citation or a criminal complaint, depending on the type of offense, will be issued and the defendant will be issued a court date by the Hennepin County District Court. The defendant's first appearance before the court is called an arraignment. The defendant will be asked to plead either guilty or not guilty to the offense. If the defendant pleads not guilty, a new court date will be assigned for either a court trial or pretrial, depending on the type of offense. If a pretrial date is assigned, the victim of the offense will be notified by mail. At this time, the City Attorney's office will ask that the victim give pertinent information about the crime, its impact on the victim and inform the attorney of any restitution required. The victim may not need to appear at the pretrial to give testimony. At the pretrial, if the defendant pleads not guilty, a date for a jury trial will be assigned. At this time the victim and all witnesses will receive notices or subpoenas to appear in court to give testimony. The notice will ask that the victim/witnesses contact the City Attorney's Office one week prior to the trial date for specific instructions. In most instances the victim/witnesses will be asked to be on standby and to call the City Attorney's Office on or before the day of the trial for a court appearance time. Jury trials are conducted downtown at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis. How do I get a domestic order for protection (“OFP”)?If you are a Bloomington resident, call Cornerstone Victims Advocacy Service, 952-884-0330. Non-Bloomington residents can call the Domestic Abuse Service Center at 612-348-5073. An OFP is a court order that a victim of domestic abuse by a family or household member can apply for to prohibit the abuser from future contact or abuse. How do I get a harassment restraining order (“HRO”)?Go to the Self-Help Center on the 2nd floor, Public Service Level, of the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, located at 300 South 6th Street. This is a walk-in service only that does not take appointments. There you will find the necessary court forms. An HRO is a court order that a victim of harassment by another person, who is not a household or family member, can apply for to prohibit that person from having any contact with the victim and to prohibit future harassment. How do I obtain information about my participation in a criminal case as a witness or victim?You will receive in the mail a letter from the prosecutor advising you of any court date in which your appearance may be necessary and instructing you how to contact the prosecutor assigned to the case. That letter will also indicate the procedure by which you may seek restitution for any property damage or other out-of-pocket financial loss you suffered as a victim of the crime. Restitution requests must be submitted prior to the court date in writing and provide proof or verification for the costs being claimed. Further information can be obtained by calling 952-563-8753. How do I respond to a subpoena?A subpoena is a court order requiring you to appear in court on the date and time stated in the document. If you fail to respond to the subpoena you may be subject to arrest. If you need to discuss scheduling options, contact the person listed on the subpoena as soon as possible. Neighborhood quality-of-life issuesHow do I report nuisance conduct or conditions on my neighbor’s property?For cases where your neighbor has an accumulation of junk or abandoned vehicles on his or her property, buildings with dilapidated conditions, long weeds or brush accumulations or a home business you need to contact the City’s Environmental Health Services Division at 952-563-8934 or envhealth@ci.bloomington.mn.us with the property’s address, the problems you observed and optional contact information. Your complaint will remain anonymous. How do I respond to an administrative citation?When you receive a citation, you must respond within 25 calendar days. You have two options: (1) pay the amount of the fine listed on the citation and correct the violation; or (2) contact the City Attorney’s office at (952) 563-8753 to request mediation and a hearing. If you do nothing, you are admitting that you violated the City ordinance and the fine will be increased by a 10% late fee. That amount will be charged against your real property in the manner of an assessment, along with interest thereon. In addition, the City may bring criminal charges against you or file a civil action against you. If you do not correct a continuing violation, even if you pay the amount of the fine, the City may issue a second citation and/or take other action to achieve compliance with the ordinances. How can I get help in resolving an on-going dispute with my neighbor, such as animal control issues, private trespass issues or other nuisances that do not qualify as a criminal offense or City code violation?The City is a contributing member of the Conflict Resolution Center which provides mediation services aimed at resolving these types of neighborhood disputes. You may directly contact the Conflict Resolution Center by e-mail at mediation@crcminnesota.org, fax: 612-822-9890, or mail: Conflict Resolution Center, 2101 Hennepin Ave. S, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55405. Further assistance can be provided through the Bloomington Police Department Proactive Police Services Unit at 952-563-4900. Criminal defendantsWhat should I do in response to a traffic ticket?Traffic citations can be paid online. By paying the ticket, you are pleading guilty to the offense. If you wish to contest a traffic ticket, you can make arrangements to discuss the matter with either a Bloomington prosecutor on a special calendar without a judge or meet with a Court appointed hearing officer. More information is available at Minnesota Courts. The City Attorney’s Office does not discuss or negotiate traffic cases outside of the courtroom. How do I find out if there's a warrant against me?Call the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, 612-348-2000. What should I do if I missed, or need to continue, my court date?The City Attorney’s office cannot change existing court dates for you or quash or invalidate a warrant. To find out if you have missed a court date or to continue a court date you must call the Hennepin County Clerk of Court at 612-348-2040. If you have missed your court date, it is likely that a warrant for your arrest (a bench warrant) was issued by the judge. Contact the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, 612-348-2000. If you are charged with a crime and given a court date, even if you live outside of Minnesota or the metropolitan area, you will need to appear in court on the date your court appearance is scheduled or arrange to have a private attorney appear on your behalf. How do I get a copy of a police report, accident report or other discovery in a criminal case?If you are a defendant or defense attorney in a criminal case that has been charged or is being prosecuted by the City Attorney’s Office, you must make a written request for these documents to the Bloomington City Attorney’s Office, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431. Include the date, time and location of the offense, your name, address and telephone number. The City Attorney’s Office requires prepayment of between $5- $20 (dependant on the type and level of offense) for the cost of providing these reports. DVD’s of police recordings will cost $40. How do I have my criminal conviction expunged?Go to the Self-Help Center on the 2nd floor, Public Service Level, of the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, located at 300 South 6th Street. This is a walk-in service only that does not take appointments. There you will find the necessary court forms to obtain an expungement. You may also access the Court’s website for expungement information at http://www.mncourts.gov/district/4 How do I get my property back from the police?Contact the Bloomington Police Department at 952-563-8843. You will have to make an appointment with the police property clerk. Property held as evidence in a criminal case will not be released until the case is completely concluded. Property subject to state forfeiture laws will only be released in compliance with those laws at the discretion of the police department. Some property may be subject to confiscation if it constitutes contraband, which is property that is illegal to own or possess in the state. How do I speak with the prosecutor about my criminal case?The City Attorney’s Office does not discuss or negotiate criminal cases prior to the court appearance or outside of the courtroom. If you are a criminal defendant or defense attorney, you must appear in court when your case is scheduled and request to speak with the prosecutor at that time.
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