WHAT THE WORDS MEAN

Also called speed limit

How a speed limit works inside a municipality. Elsewhere, going over the listed speed is prima facie evidence of an unlawful speed.

Also called dog bite liability

The condition for a dog owner's liability: a dog that attacks or injures, without provocation, a person acting peaceably in a place the person may lawfully be leaves the owner liable for the full amount of the injury.

Also called small estate affidavit, small estate

The affidavit that, with a certified death record, lets a claiming successor collect a decedent's money or property thirty days after the death, where the entire probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $75,000.

Also called deposit penalty

Keeping a deposit in bad faith, which adds punitive damages up to $500 per deposit, on top of the penalty equal to the portion withheld.

Also called car seat, child restraint

The seat, used with a safety belt, for a child who is at least four and past the forward facing seat's limit. A child who is at least nine, or past the booster's limit, moves to a safety belt that fits correctly.

Also called self help repossession limit

The one condition on a secured party that takes collateral back without judicial process, such as a car bought on credit. It may do that only if it proceeds without breach of the peace.

Also called data breach, breach notice

What a person discloses to each affected individual in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay. If more than 500 persons are notified at one time, the consumer reporting agencies are told within 48 hours.

Also called careless

Operating or halting a vehicle carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of others' rights, or in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger property or anyone. A misdemeanor.

Also called executive session, closed session

A meeting a public body closes on grounds the chapter permits. Before closing it, the body states on the record the specific grounds permitting the meeting to be closed and describes the subject to be discussed.

Also called debt collector, debt buyer

A business that collects debts for others. It, a debt buyer and their collectors are licensed or registered with the commissioner of commerce, and doing the business without one is a misdemeanor.

Also called small claims

Minnesota's small claims court, hearing civil claims where the money or property at stake does not exceed $20,000, or $4,000 if the claim involves a consumer credit transaction.

Also called habitability, repairs

The promises the landlord makes in every residential lease: premises fit for the intended use, in reasonable repair, in compliance with health and safety laws, with heat of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit from October 1 through April 30.

Also called security deposit, deposit

The deposit a landlord returns with interest, or explains in a written statement of the specific reason for keeping any part, within three weeks after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address.

Also called self defense

Intentionally taking another's life, authorized only when necessary to resist or prevent an offense the person reasonably believes exposes someone to great bodily harm or death, or to prevent a felony in the person's place of abode.

Also called disturbing the peace

Brawling, fighting, or offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous or noisy conduct or language, knowing it will tend to alarm, anger or disturb others or provoke an assault or breach of the peace. A misdemeanor.

Also called DWI, drunk driving

Driving, operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or cannabis products, or with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving.

Also called duty to help, duty to rescue

The duty of a person at the scene of an emergency who knows another is exposed to or has suffered grave physical harm to give reasonable assistance, to the extent they can without danger to themselves or others. A violation is a petty misdemeanor.

Also called ESST, sick time

At least one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year, accruing from the first day of work and usable as it accrues, for illness, a family member's care, safety needs, and closures for weather or emergency.

Also called Good Samaritan, helping at an accident

Care, advice or assistance rendered without compensation or the expectation of it at the scene of an emergency or on the way to professional medical care. The person is not liable for civil damages unless acting in a willful and wanton or reckless manner.

Also called 72 hour hold, mental health hold

A hold a facility may place, with its head's consent and an examiner's written statement, lasting up to 72 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the examiner signs the statement.

Also called fired for cause, misconduct

Intentional, negligent or indifferent conduct that seriously violates the standards the employer has a right to expect, the only discharge that makes an applicant ineligible.

Also called sealing, clearing a record

Sealing a criminal record on petition after a period without a new conviction: two years after discharge for a petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor, three for a gross misdemeanor.

Also called false name, lying about identity

A name other than a nickname, given to a peace officer with intent to obstruct justice during a lawful stop, arrest or other duty. A misdemeanor, and giving another person's name and date of birth is a gross misdemeanor.

Also called assault

An act done with intent to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death, or intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm. A misdemeanor.

Also called final paycheck, last paycheck

When an employee is discharged, the wages actually earned and unpaid are due immediately on the employee's demand, and unpaid 24 hours after it, the employer is in default.

Also called fleeing, eluding

Fleeing or trying to flee in a motor vehicle from a peace officer lawfully on duty, including speeding up, turning off the lights or refusing to stop after a signal. A felony.

Also called wage garnishment

Taking part of a debtor's disposable earnings, at most 25 percent where weekly income is more than 80 times the minimum wage, and less on lower incomes.

Also called public records, data practices

All data a government entity collects, creates, receives, maintains or disseminates, which are public unless a statute, a temporary classification or federal law classifies them otherwise.

Also called tips, tip credit

A tip, which is the employee's sole property. An employer may not require it to be shared with the employer or other employees.

Also called GM

Any crime that is not a felony or misdemeanor. Where no other penalty is set, it carries up to 364 days, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Also called phone while driving, texting while driving

Calls and messages in a voice-activated or hands-free mode, the only way a driver may use a wireless device while the vehicle is moving or part of traffic.

Also called door to door sale, cooling off period

A sale the buyer may cancel until midnight of the third business day after it, by written notice to the seller. A mailed notice is effective when deposited.

Also called test refusal, breath test

Every driver in the state consents to a chemical test of blood, breath or urine at a peace officer's direction when the officer has probable cause to believe the person drove while impaired.

Also called dying without a will, intestacy, heirs

What passes by law when a person dies without a will. The surviving spouse takes the entire intestate estate when there is no descendant of the decedent, or when every descendant is also the spouse's and the spouse has no other.

Also called no fault divorce, dissolution

The finding for a dissolution. If one spouse denies it under oath, the finding needs evidence of living apart for at least 180 days, or serious marital discord.

Also called late charge

A charge for overdue rent, allowed only when landlord and tenant agreed in writing that one may be charged and when, and never more than eight percent of the overdue payment.

Also called lemon

The rule that a nonconformity reported during the warranty or within two years of delivery, whichever ends first, is repaired, and if it cannot be after a reasonable number of attempts, the vehicle is replaced or refunded.

Also called alimony, spousal support

Support the court may order for a spouse who lacks enough property for reasonable needs or cannot provide adequate self-support. It may be transitional or indefinite.

Also called required reporter, child abuse report

A professional in the healing arts, social services, hospital administration, psychological treatment, child care, education, correctional supervision or law enforcement, or clergy in ministerial duties, who immediately reports a child known or believed to be maltreated, now or within the preceding three years.

Also called dividing property

Property the court divides justly and equitably without regard to marital misconduct, weighing each spouse's contribution, including as a homemaker.

Also called 911 good samaritan

A person under 21 who calls 911 to report that someone needs medical help is not prosecuted for consuming or possessing, if the caller is the first to report, gives a name and contact information, stays until help arrives and cooperates.

Also called cash bail, bail

Bail deposited in money, which belongs to the accused whoever deposited it, held until the case is finally disposed of. On most misdemeanors it can be no more than double the highest cash fine.

Also called unannounced entry

A warrant letting officers enter without first loudly and understandably announcing their presence and purpose and waiting a reasonable time, issued only where specific, objective facts show the occupants present an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm.

Also called traffic ticket, citation

The written notice an officer prepares for a traffic violation to appear in court. On a petty misdemeanor, failing to appear is treated as a guilty plea and a waiver of trial, unless the failure is due to circumstances beyond the person's control.

Also called resisting arrest, obstruction

Intentionally obstructing, resisting or interfering with a peace officer performing official duties, or obstructing an arrest. Up to 90 days, a $1,000 fine, or both, and more with force or violence.

Also called recording consent

The rule that a person may intercept a wire, electronic or oral communication when they are a party to it, or one of the parties has given prior consent, unless it is for the purpose of committing a criminal or tortious act.

Also called open container

An opened bottle or receptacle of an alcoholic beverage in a private motor vehicle on a street or highway. Possessing one, drinking there, or as owner allowing one, is a misdemeanor.

Also called transport hold, mental health hold, taken in for an evaluation

Custody a peace officer or health officer takes on reason to believe a person has a mental illness or developmental disability and is in danger of harming self or others without immediate detention. An examiner examines the person within 12 hours of arrival, and the hold ends at 12 hours if nothing else has ended it first.

Also called carry permit, concealed carry

The permit required to carry a pistol in a vehicle, on or about the person, or otherwise in public. Carrying without one is a gross misdemeanor.

Also called petty

An offense that is not a crime, punishable by a fine of not more than $300.

Also called insurance card

Proof of insurance covering the vehicle, which every driver has and produces on an officer's demand. Not producing it is a misdemeanor, with a fine of at least $200.

Also called landlord entry, 24 hours notice

The only reason a landlord may enter, such as showing the unit, maintenance or a code inspection, and only after a good faith effort to give reasonable notice of at least 24 hours, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Also called get the car back, redeem a repossessed car

Getting collateral back by tendering fulfillment of all obligations it secures, plus the reasonable expenses and attorney's fees the Code describes. A debtor, a secondary obligor, or another secured party or lienholder may do it.

Also called pay and stay, redeeming the tenancy

In an eviction for nonpayment, restoring the tenancy at any time before possession is delivered by paying the rent in arrears with interest, costs and an attorney fee not to exceed $5.

Also called paying rent to the court

Depositing the rent due with the court administrator, with an affidavit, once written notice of a violation has gone 14 days uncorrected.

Also called retaliatory eviction, penalty

An eviction, a raised obligation or a cut service imposed as a penalty for a tenant's good faith complaint of a violation or attempt to enforce rights.

Also called medical records fee, charge for records

Part of what a provider may charge for paper copies of a health record: $1 per page, plus $10 for retrieving and copying, within the totals the section caps.

Also called time limit, time to sue

The time to bring a claim: six years on a contract with no other limit, two years for libel, slander, assault or another tort resulting in personal injury.

Also called month to month

A tenancy with no fixed end, which ends on written notice at least as long as the interval between rent payments, or three months, whichever is less.

Also called lockout, self help eviction

Removing or excluding a residential tenant outside the court process, which can include cutting utilities or removing doors, windows or locks. If it clearly appears unlawful, the court immediately orders the tenant back into possession.

Also called shutoff, heat turned off

A landlord interrupting electricity, heat, gas or water service to the tenant, for which the tenant may recover treble damages or $500, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees.