Analysis of cases declined in Ramsey County, Minnesota

As the Ramsey County Attorney, I commissioned this report to support our office’s commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making. Prosecutorial declination decisions are a critical but often overlooked component of our work, and comprehensive analyses of these decisions remain rare across the nation. In recent years—particularly during the pandemic—questions and occasional rumors circulated about whether prosecutors were declining more cases or taking a different approach to charging decisions. While these narratives often lacked context, they underscored the need for clear, accessible information about how declination decisions are made. This report is one step toward providing that clarity.

Minnesota’s criminal prosecution structure is distinct from most jurisdictions in the United States. County Attorneys are responsible for all adult felony-level prosecutions, while City Attorneys handle gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors. Because the County Attorney’s Office holds exclusive authority for felony charging decisions, this report focuses solely on felony level matters. Some cases declined at the felony level may later be pursued by City Attorneys as lesser offenses, but those outcomes fall outside the scope of this analysis. County Attorneys review cases presented by investigators to determine whether the evidence establishes probable cause for charging. Appropriate declinations are an essential part of that independent review, particularly when the evidence does not meet statutory elements. While no national benchmarks exist, the declination rates in this report reflect a reasonable balance between investigative work and legal scrutiny, and have remained consistent since 2011, with the exception being the height of the pandemic.

As the report notes, very few federal, state, county, or city prosecuting authorities across the country keep or publish comparable information. By investing in this work, our office is affirming its commitment to a data-driven practice that promotes a thoughtful, evidence-based review of our decision making and enhances our operational practices in partnership with the broader justice community. Humility, openness, and curiosity in pursuit of continuous improvement are important values and strategies for me as I lead our office.

This report was developed by the Justice Innovation Lab, and I extend my sincere thanks for their rigorous analysis and thoughtful approach. Their work has been invaluable in producing a clear, actionable examination of our felony-level declination patterns. I am also grateful to the many justice system and community partners who reviewed and provided feedback on earlier drafts. Their perspectives strengthened both the accuracy and the usefulness of this report.

The findings and insights presented here confirm many good practices and will guide our work going forward. They will also inform the development of a new second-look declination policy and a new drug-addiction intervention strategy, improve communication and coordination with our law enforcement and city prosecution partners, and strengthen our engagement with victims. This report represents an important step in our ongoing efforts to serve the community with fairness, accountability, and integrity.

As we move ahead, we will use this data and thoughtful feedback from our partners to sharpen our practices, deepen collaboration across the justice system, and improve our service to the people of Ramsey County. This work is not simply about measuring outcomes and evaluating patterns, it is about building a system that is transparent, equitable, and responsive to the community we serve. I remain committed to ensuring that these insights lead to meaningful action and continued progress toward a vision of safety and justice for all.