The Minnesota House unanimously passed legislation that would increase criminal penalties for impersonating law enforcement late last week.
Under the change, offenses that would currently be classified as a misdemeanor would be elevated to gross misdemeanors, which carry the potential of up to a year in prison and fines up to $3,000. Any current gross misdemeanor offenses would be classified as a felony under the new legislation, carrying a maximum three-year prison sentence. Current felonies will have five years added to potential sentences under the new law.
The bill was co-authored by Democratic Representatives Ginny Klevorn of Plymouth and Kristin Bahner of Maple Grove. They felt the need to increase the potential penalties for impersonating a police officer in the wake of the murders of Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband by a man impersonating a police officer at their home.
The bill has widespread support from police associations and law enforcement groups across Minnesota. A Senate companion bill passed the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee unanimously in March. The legislation will now head to the governor’s desk for a signature.
Impersonating Police
This is a smart set of changes that we expect to be signed by the governor. Law enforcement command a sense of authority, respect and obedience, and it can be dangerous if someone attempts to impersonate an officer of the law in order to gain authority or power over another individual. We are told to comply (within reason and within our rights) with authority, but that can end up hurting us if it’s not actually a law enforcement officer making the demands.
Anyone who wants to cosplay as an authority figure will want to think twice about their actions. Whether it is “just a prank bro” or for more nefarious purposes, impersonating a law enforcement figure with intent to deceive is about to be punished much more harshly in Minnesota.
Stay up to date on legal news and law changes in Minnesota on our blog, and as always, reach out if you or someone you know is in need of criminal defense in the greater Twin Cities area. For assistance with all your legal needs, give Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm a call today at (952) 224-2277.
