Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Minnesota Statutes Crimes; Expungement; Victims (Ch. 609-624) § 609.662. Shooting victim; duty to render aid

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

Subdivision 1. Definition. As used in this section, “reasonable assistance” means aid appropriate to the circumstances, and includes obtaining or attempting to obtain assistance from a conservation or law enforcement officer, or from medical personnel.

Subd. 2. Duty to render aid. (a) A person who discharges a firearm and knows or has reason to know that the discharge has caused bodily harm to another person, shall:

(1) immediately investigate the extent of the person's injuries; and

(2) render immediate reasonable assistance to the injured person.

(b) A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a crime and may be sentenced as follows:

(1) if the injured person suffered death or great bodily harm as a result of the discharge, to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $4,000, or both;

(2) if the injured person suffered substantial bodily harm as a result of the discharge, to imprisonment for not more than one year and one day or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both;

(3) otherwise, to imprisonment for not more than 364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.

(c) Notwithstandingsection 609.035or609.04, a prosecution for or conviction under this subdivision is not a bar to conviction of or punishment for any other crime committed by the defendant as part of the same conduct.

Subd. 3. Duty of witness. (a) A person who witnesses the discharge of a firearm and knows or has reason to know that the discharge caused bodily harm to a person shall:

(1) immediately investigate the extent of the injuries; and

(2) render immediate reasonable assistance to the injured person.

(b) A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a crime and may be sentenced as follows:

(1) if the defendant was a companion of the person who discharged the firearm at the time of the discharge, to imprisonment for not more than 364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both;

(2) otherwise, to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

Subd. 4. Defense. It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section if the defendant proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant failed to investigate or render assistance as required under this section because the defendant reasonably perceived that these actions could not be taken without a significant risk of bodily harm to the defendant or others.

Subd. 5. Repealed byLaws 1994, c. 623, art. 5, § 3.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Minnesota Statutes Crimes; Expungement; Victims (Ch. 609-624) § 609.662. Shooting victim; duty to render aid - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/mn/crimes-expungement-victims-ch-609-624/mn-st-sect-609-662/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard