Ramsey County Law Library Blog

This being May, we are embarking on the annual “wedding season” of summer, that time of year when we see upward numbers festive brides and grooms out and about enjoying their big day. This summer’s wedding season is expected to be bigger than ever, given the recent passage of legislation recognizing same sex marriage by the Minnesota Legislature, and signature of same by Governor Mark Dayton. This new law will officially take effect on August 1, 2013. So in addition to the many bride-groom couples, this year we can expect to see bride-bride and groom-groom couples about the region as well. Indeed, Como Park is preparing for a large-scale “flash” wedding event that will take place on August 1, with brief blocks of time to be leased out by couples for their vow exchanges. Minneapolis City Hall will open at 12:01 a.m. that day to accommodate the expected “wedding rush” in the neighboring county.

Couples of all three gender combinations need to know where to get accurate legal marriage information, such as what it takes to get a license, what the related fees are, where to get a government official to perform the ceremony, and so forth. On the Ramsey County website is a page that provides a link to a marriage license application, information on where to file it, plus information on Ramsey County District Court Judges available to perform wedding ceremonies.

After serving time for a criminal conviction, shouldn’t there be a point when a person can finally get a job, a home, or an education?

Three bills before the legislature this session stand behind this principle. One would give judges authority to close court proceedings and records for minors charged with felonies, one would remove the question on job applications that ask about felonies, and one would wrap stays of adjudication and plea diversions into the category eligible for expungement. Supporters of these bills say public safety would benefit from allowing offenders to successfully pursue a lawful existence, thus reducing their risk of falling back into old habits and reoffending. Opponents state that the legislation creates a “presumption of secrecy,” and that people have the right to know if their neighbors are convicted felons. Expungement, which is a judge-ordered “sealing” of public records, is not a complete remedy. Even defendants who successfully complete probation terms and have convictions expunged still have records that show up in background checks performed by private data companies. More information is available in the January 14, 2013 issue of Minnesota Lawyer (“Second chance bills spark debate in St. Paul” p. 1).

Regardless of its shortcomings, expungement is a useful tool in the criminal rehabilitation process. It can be used for contesting the denial of employment, housing, or professional licenses. We at the Ramsey County Law Library are proud to offer our criminal expungement clinic every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 1 to 4 PM in the Library. Attendees can pick up the necessary packet of forms on the 9th floor of the Courthouse.

The Federal Reserve’s new credit card rules give consumers new protections.  Here are 9 changes that everyone should know. 

1.  The credit card company must tell you when it plans to change rates.

2.  The credit card company must tell you how long it will take to pay off your balance.

3.  Interest cannot be increased during the first year.

4.  Interest increases apply only to new charges.

5.  Over-the limit transactions are limited.

6.  Fees on cards cannot exceed 25 percent of initial card limit.

7.  New protections have been created for under-age consumers.

8.  New Standardized payment dates and times.

9.  Payments are now directed to highest interest balances first.

For more information, visit the Federal Reserve website.