1998 Minnesota Statutes

     260.315 Criminal jurisdiction for contributing to need 
  for protection or services, status as a juvenile petty offender, 
  or delinquency. 

    Subdivision 1.    Crimes.  (a) Any person who by act, 
 word, or omission encourages, causes, or contributes to the need 
 for protection or services or delinquency of a child, or to a 
 child's status as a juvenile petty offender, is guilty of a 
 gross misdemeanor.  

    (b) This section does not apply to licensed social service 
 agencies and outreach workers who, while acting within the scope 
 of their professional duties, provide services to runaway 
 children. 

    Subd. 2.    Complaint; venue.  A complaint under this 
 section may be filed by the county attorney having jurisdiction 
 where the child is found, resides, or where the alleged act of 
 contributing occurred.  The complaint may be filed in either the 
 juvenile or criminal divisions of the district court.  A prior 
 or pending petition alleging that the child is delinquent, a 
 juvenile petty offender, or in need of protection or services is 
 not a prerequisite to a complaint or a conviction under this 
 section.  

    Subd. 3.    Affirmative defense.  If the child is 
 alleged to be delinquent or a juvenile petty offender, or if the 
 child's conduct is the basis for the child's need for protection 
 or services, it is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under 
 subdivision 1 if the defendant proves, by a preponderance of the 
 evidence, that the defendant took reasonable steps to control 
 the child's conduct.  

    HIST: (8662) 1917 c 397 s 27; 1927 c 192 s 7; 1953 c 436 s 1; 
 1983 c 217 s 1; 1984 c 588 s 3; 1988 c 673 s 36; 1989 c 208 s 5; 
 1998 c 367 art 10 s 12