Crimes motivated by bias include assaults, criminal damage to property or vandalism, and harassment or stalking crimes.
Crimes motivated by bias carry more severe penalties than the underlying crimes.
Most crimes in Minnesota are investigated by the local police department if they occurred within a city, or by the County Sheriff s Department if they occurred outside the city limits, but within the County. A Sheriff s Department may also assist with an investigation in a city upon request. Bias crimes and other crimes are prosecuted by the County Attorney or the city attorney, depending on the severity level of the crime, and where the crime occurred. The County Attorney also prosecutes all offenses that occur outside of city limits. Gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors that occur within city limits are prosecuted by city attorneys.