2025 Session
Last amended: 1993 session
§ 609.251 — Double Jeopardy; Kidnapping
Plain-Language Summary
A person can be convicted and punished for kidnapping and for any other crime committed during the kidnapping. The usual rule against being punished twice for the same act does not apply to kidnapping cases.
609.251 DOUBLE JEOPARDY; KIDNAPPING.
Notwithstanding section 609.04, a prosecution for or conviction of the crime of kidnapping is not a bar to conviction of or punishment for any other crime committed during the time of the kidnapping.
History:
1983 c 139 s 2; 1993 c 326 art 4 s 16
History: History: 1983 c 139 s 2; 1993 c 326 art 4 s 16
Practical Notes
This means prosecutors can charge a defendant with both kidnapping and any other crimes that happened during the kidnapping, such as assault, robbery, or sexual assault. The defendant can be sentenced separately for each crime. This is an exception to Minnesota’s general double jeopardy protections.