This bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system by requiring county attorneys in Minnesota to document and report the reasons for dismissing felony charges. Specifically, it mandates that when a county attorney dismisses any part of a criminal action, they must record detailed information, including the defendant's name, the date of the offense, all crimes charged, any charges dismissed, victim support for the dismissal, the date of dismissal, and the reasons for the dismissal. This information must then be forwarded to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and published on the county attorney's publicly accessible website, ensuring that victim identities remain confidential.

Additionally, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission is tasked with including a summary and analysis of these dismissal reports in its annual report to the legislature. The new provisions are set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and will apply to dismissals occurring on or after that date. This legislative change is intended to provide greater oversight of prosecutorial decisions and improve public access to information regarding criminal case dismissals.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 244.09