2025 Session Last amended: 1984 session

§ 1.02 — Jurisdiction Over Waters

Plain-Language Summary

Courts and officials in Minnesota counties that border Big Stone Lake, Lake Traverse, Bois de Sioux River, or the Red River of the North can handle both civil and criminal cases on those waters. They share this power with courts in neighboring states that also border those waters.

Practical Notes
If an incident occurs on these shared border waters, either Minnesota or the neighboring state can take the case. This prevents criminals from escaping justice by claiming they were on the other state’s side of the water.