'Gift to criminals': Minnesota county to end most felony prosecutions from low-level traffic stops

Starting October 15, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will no longer prosecute most felony cases that stem solely from low-level traffic stops.

County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office has argued that law enforcement in Hennepin County, Minnesota, have disproportionately targeted minorities for vehicle and traffic violations. Under the new policy, felony charges such as drug or weapons possession discovered during stops for minor infractions will generally not be pursued.

“We’re not talking about dangerous driving behavior,” Moriarty told the Star Tribune. “When we’re talking about limited resources with law enforcement, you would rather have them focus on dangerous driving rather than these kind of things.”

Infractions covered by the new policy include failure to display or expired tabs, failure to illuminate or partially obscured license plates, broken headlights, brake lights, or taillights, missing side or rearview mirrors, items dangling from mirrors, broken windshield wipers, failure to signal while otherwise driving safely, cracked windshields, and excessive window tint.

Moriarty cited a 2017 report showing that of 20,170 Minneapolis Police Department stops for moving and equipment violations, less than 0.5 percent resulted in a gun charge, and 2.71 percent resulted in a drug charge. She further argued that squad car footage has shown officers sometimes used minor violations as a pretext for stops when drivers were not otherwise being pursued or driving dangerously.

“If you’re listening they’re like, ‘What should we pull that guy over for?’” Moriarty said. “They’re making an assumption, or they’re curious. ... Cops will tell you, I can follow you for a block or two or three and you’re going to commit something. You’re not going to signal in advance. You’re not going to do something.”

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association responded to this announcement, condemning the policy change and characterizing it as a “gift to criminals.”

“The city of Minneapolis is under siege with violent crime—and this is what County Attorney Moriarty chooses to prioritize?” said Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association General Counsel Imran Ali. “Her new policy is a gift to criminals and a slap in the face to law-abiding Minnesotans. Guns, drugs, and fugitives discovered during traffic stops will now walk free, while officers are left powerless to act. This reckless decision doesn’t just weaken law enforcement—it puts every family in greater danger.”