Potentially Dangerous Minnesota County Court Order Reversed Just Three Weeks After Being Issued

by Crime Watch MN

A recently enacted Hennepin County Court policy that could have had deadly or dangerous results for domestic abuse victims was suddenly reversed over the weekend.

In mid-June, Hennepin County District Court’s Chief Judge Kerry Meyer issued a Standing Order altering the pre-appearance release procedures and bail for some domestic abuse suspects. The order replaced a prior Standing Order that had been in place since 2019 that required suspects arrested on probable cause misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor domestic assault charges to be held without bail until they were brought before a judge to have bail and/or conditions set, such as a no-contact order with the victim.

The new Standing Order issued on June 18, 2024, by Chief Judge Meyer replaced and revised the pre-appearance procedure and bail policy allowing for suspects arrested on probable cause misdemeanor domestic abuse to be released from custody on cash bail as low as $150 just hours after their arrest and before seeing a judge. Suspects arrested on a probable cause gross misdemeanor domestic abuse charge could post cash bail as low as $1,000 and be released from custody before being brought before a judge, or having no-contact orders issued in either case.

4/
The new “standing order” issued in late June allows for the arrested party to be released BEFORE seeing a judge on “$1,000 bond or $150 cash bail" (or $1,000 cash on GM charges). pic.twitter.com/6J2C4vwoHr

— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) July 13, 2024

Crime Watch Minneapolis posted about the updated Standing Order late Friday evening and provided several examples of domestic assault suspects who had been arrested after the order had gone into effect. Jail and court records showed that the suspects had been released just hours after arrest on $150 cash bail and before having an initial court appearance before a judge where conditions or higher bail could be set.

Less than 24 hours after the information was posted on Crime Watch’s X feed, Chief Judge Meyer issued a new order on Saturday evening rescinding the portion of the June 18 Standing Order that applied to misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor suspects jailed on probable cause domestic abuse.

The new order issued by Chief Judge Meyer on Saturday stated, in part: “This Order is intended to revert misdemeanor domestic offenses to the 2019 Standing Order provisions, put gross misdemeanor domestics in that same position, and clarify no contact orders will issue upon release until future amendment.” Meaning, arrested parties in those categories would, again, need to appear before a judge instead of having the option to be released on low cash bail prior to making a court appearance.

12/
Our followers respond to this now rescinded policy. pic.twitter.com/GUTtn0c6rn

— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) July 15, 2024

Crime Watch posted a comment from one of its social media followers who expressed concern over why the policy had been changed in June. The person stated that as a prior victim, she needed time while her abuser was in jail to get safe and get help for her and her kids before he was released from jail.

Alpha News reached out to Chief Judge Meyer in an email with questions about why the policy was changed in June and whether it was Meyer’s sole decision to do so, as well as why the policy was suddenly rescinded over the weekend and whether she had been contacted by victims or the public about the new policy.

A staff member for Chief Judge Meyer replied via email stating: “Judge Meyer has no further comment beyond what is contained in the attached order.”

– – –

Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Photo “Judge Kerry Meyer” by Minnesota Judicial Branch. Background Photo “Hennepin County Courthouse” by Minneapolis City Hall / Hennepin County Courthouse.