2025 Session Last amended: 2023 session

§ 609.035 — Crime Punishable Under Different Provisions

Plain-Language Summary

Establishes that when one act violates multiple criminal laws, a person can generally only be punished for one offense. However, there are exceptions for DWI-related offenses, firearms crimes, arson used to conceal crimes, fleeing police, and sexual assault with force.

Practical Notes
This is a key protection against being punished twice for the same conduct. However, important exceptions exist: repeat DWI offenders can face consecutive sentences for related driving offenses, and firearms, arson, fleeing police, and violent sexual assault charges can be stacked on top of other charges from the same incident.