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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 25, 2015 <br />Paul, as an example, if the vehicle is stopped in Little Canada, it would be <br />the responsibility of the Little Canada City Attorney. <br />Kelly then discussed the charging of DWI offenses and their philosophy of <br />pleading a ls` offense to a careless driving depending on the specific <br />circumstances. Factors that would be considered are if this is a first <br />offense, of the blood alcohol level was low, the attitude of the offender, <br />and whether they commenced treatment before going to court. Beck noted <br />that the sentence for a first DWI and for careless driving is the same, the <br />difference is not having the DWI offense on a person's record. Beck <br />noted that the period of license revocation for careless driving is 30 days <br />versus 90 days with a first DWI, however. <br />With regard to fines, Kelly noted that the City of St. Paul receives 2/3rds <br />of fine revenues generated in that city, while suburban Ramsey County <br />cities only receive half. The City Administrator indicated this matter has <br />been discussed by the Ramsey County League of Local Governments, and <br />Representative Isaacson is working on this issue. Kelly also noted that <br />they are working with judges on the issue of fines, noting that fines <br />charged in Ramsey County are on the low end compared to the rest of the <br />state. <br />Patrick Kelly revisited the issue of domestic abuse, indicating that their <br />office aggressively prosecutes these cases. Kelly also noted that the <br />Ramsey County Sheriff's Department supports this stance. The goal is to <br />get the abusers and the victims the help they need so that the situation does <br />not continue. Kelly indicated that the City has good representation from <br />the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. He also reported that cases are <br />prosecuted in such a way that the result is both sides feel they were well <br />represented and treated fairly. <br />Joe Kelly estimated they decline to charge a low percentage of cases, but <br />if there are mitigating circumstances they will work with people to keep <br />their records clear. <br />Torkelson noted the different levels of crime and asked what degree of <br />leniency does the City have in making charging decisions. Kelly <br />described the differences between misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. <br />He also reported on the various sentencing guidelines as well as the City's <br />ability to offer diversion if his office feels there are enough mitigating <br />circumstances to warrant it. Torkelson noted his preference that people <br />without criminal records have the ability to keep their records clear <br />through diversion and restitution. Kelly agreed and spoke to various <br />instances when his office would feel that was the best option. <br />Kelly and Beck then discussed the changes that were made in the way <br />cases are handled in the court system which has resulted in cases being <br />2 <br />