Minn. R. Crim. P. 4.03

As amended through October 28, 2024

Rule 4.03 - Probable Cause Determination

Subd. 1.Time Limit. When a person arrested without a warrant is not released under this rule or Rule 6, a judge must make a probable cause determination without unnecessary delay, and in any event within 48 hours from the time of the arrest, including the day of arrest, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. If the Court determines that probable cause does not exist or does not make a determination as to probable cause within the time provided by this rule, the person must be released immediately.

Subd. 2.Application and Record. The facts establishing probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed, and that the person arrested committed it, must be submitted under oath, either orally or in writing, or signed under penalty of perjury pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 358.116. The oath may be administered by the court administrator or notary public for any facts submitted in writing. If oral testimony is taken, the oath must be administered by a judge, but it may be administered by telephone, ITV, or similar device. Any oral testimony must be recorded by reporter or recording instrument and must be retained by the court or by the judge's designee.

The person requesting a probable cause determination must advise the reviewing judge of any prior request for a probable cause determination on this same incident, or of any prior release of the arrested person on this same incident, for failure to obtain a probable cause determination within the time limit as provided by this rule.

Subd. 3.Prosecutor. No request for determination of probable cause may proceed without the approval of the prosecutor authorized to prosecute the matter, or by affirmation of the applicant that the applicant contacted the prosecutor and the prosecutor approved the request, or unless the judge reviewing probable cause certifies in writing that the prosecutor is unavailable and the determination of probable cause should not be delayed. A complaint complying with Rule 2, approved by the court, satisfies the probable cause requirement of this rule.

Subd. 4.Determination. If the information presented satisfies the court that probable cause exists to believe that an offense has been committed and the person arrested committed it, the court may set bail or other conditions of release, or release the arrested person without bail, under Rule 6. If probable cause is not found, the arrested person must be released immediately. The court's finding of probable cause must be in writing, and must indicate the offense, whether oral testimony was received, and the amount of any bail or other conditions of release the court may set. A written notice of the court's determination must be provided promptly to the arrested person.

Minn. R. Crim. P. 4.03

Amended effective 7/1/2015.

Comment-Rule 4

It is anticipated that complaints will be requested by defendants in only a small percentage of misdemeanor cases because discovery is permitted under Rule 9.04, and most defendants will not wish to make an additional appearance to receive the complaint.

Where a charge has been dismissed by the court for failure of the prosecutor to file a valid, timely complaint (Rule 4.02, subd. 5(3)) as required, and the prosecutor subsequently files a valid complaint, a summons must issue instead of a warrant. If it is impossible to locate the defendant to serve the summons or if the defendant fails to respond to the summons, a warrant may be issued. See also Rule 3.01. This restriction is necessary because it is unfair to subject a defendant to a possibly unnecessary arrest when the defendant has appeared in court once to answer the minor charge, and, through no fault of the defendant, a complaint was not issued.

Rule 4.03 is based upon the constitutional requirement as set forth in County of Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U.S. 44 (1991) for a prompt judicial determination of probable cause following a warrantless arrest. Pursuant to that case and Rule 4.03, subd. 1, the determination must occur without unreasonable delay and in no event later than 48 hours after the arrest. There are no exclusions in computing the 48-hour time limit. Rule 6.01 provides for the mandatory and permissive issuance of citations and an arrested person released on citation prior to the 48-hour time limit need not receive a probable cause determination pursuant to Rule 4.03.

Under Rule 4.03, subd. 2 the facts submitted to the court to establish probable cause may be either by written affidavit, under penalty of perjury, or sworn oral testimony. See Form 44, Application for Judicial Determination of Probable Cause to Detain, following these rules.

Rule 4.03, subd. 4, sets out the elements to be included in the court's written determination of probable cause. See Form 45, Judicial Determination of Probable Cause to Detain, following these rules.