Minn. R. Juv. P. 18.06

As amended through October 28, 2024
Rule 18.06 - Certification Determination

Subdivision 1. Presumption of Certification. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 260B.125, subdivision 3, it is presumed that a child will be certified for action under the laws and court procedures controlling adult criminal violations if:

(A) the child was sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years old at the time of the offense;
(B) the delinquency petition alleges that the child committed an offense that would result in a presumptive commitment to prison under the sentencing guidelines and applicable statutes, or a felony offense in which the child allegedly used a firearm; and
(C) probable cause has been determined pursuant to Rule 18.05, subdivision 3.

The presumption of certification is overcome if the child demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that retaining the proceedings in juvenile court serves public safety.

Subd. 2. Non-presumptive Certification. If there is no presumption of certification as defined by subdivision 1, the court may order certification only if the prosecuting attorney has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that retaining the proceeding in juvenile court does not serve public safety.

Subd. 3. Public Safety. In determining whether the public safety is served by certifying the matter, or in designating the proceeding an extended jurisdiction juvenile proceeding, the court shall consider the following factors:

(A) the seriousness of the alleged offense in terms of community protection, including the existence of any aggravating factors recognized by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, the use of a firearm, and the impact on any victim;
(B) the culpability of the child in committing the alleged offense, including the level of the child's participation in planning and carrying out the offense and the existence of any mitigating factors recognized by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines;
(C) the child's prior record of delinquency;
(D) the child's programming history, including the child's past willingness to participate meaningfully in available programming;
(E) the adequacy of the punishment or programming available in the juvenile justice system;
(F) the dispositional options available for the child.

In considering these factors, the court shall give greater weight to the seriousness of the alleged offense and the child's prior record of delinquency than to the other factors listed in this subdivision.

Subd. 4. Prior Certification. The court shall order certification in any felony case if the prosecutor shows that the child was previously prosecuted and convicted in adult proceedings that were certified pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 260B.125, subdivision 5.

Subd. 5. Extended Juvenile Court Jurisdiction.

(A)Presumptive Certification. If the juvenile court does not order certification in a presumptive certification case, the court shall designate the proceeding an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution.
(B)Non-presumptive Certification. If the court does not order certification in a non-presumptive certification case, the court may consider designating the proceeding an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution. Designation as an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution may only occur if the prosecuting attorney has shown by clear and convincing evidence that the designation would serve public safety, taking into account the factors specified in Rule 18.06, subdivision 3. Absent this showing the case shall proceed as a delinquency proceeding in juvenile court.

Minn. R. Juv. P. 18.06

Amended effective 9/1/2005.