1998 Minnesota Statutes

     97A.255 Prosecutions. 

    Subdivision 1.    Statute of limitations.  A prosecution 
 under the game and fish laws may not be brought more than three 
 years after commission of the offense.  

    Subd. 2.    Burden of proof.  (a) In a prosecution that 
 alleges animals have been taken, bought, sold, transported, or 
 possessed in violation of the game and fish laws, the burden of 
 establishing that the animals were domesticated, reared in a 
 private preserve, raised in a private fish hatchery or aquatic 
 farm, taken for scientific purposes, lawfully taken, or received 
 as a gift, is on the defendant. 

    (b) The commissioner may by rule prescribe the 
 documentation or other evidence sufficient to demonstrate lawful 
 possession of: 

    (1) a wild animal received as a gift; and 

    (2) a wild animal taken on an Indian reservation or in 
 another state, province, or country. 

    Subd. 3. Repealed, 1987 c 149 art 1 s 54 

    Subd. 4.    Each violation a separate offense.  Each 
 wild animal unlawfully taken, bought, sold, transported, or 
 possessed is a separate offense.  If acquitted, a person may not 
 be prosecuted for a similar offense involving another animal in 
 the same incident.  

    HIST: 1986 c 386 art 1 s 44; 1987 c 149 art 1 s 20; 1993 c 231 
 s 16