Category: Individual Law
Is There a New Cellphone “Touch Law” for Minnesota Drivers?
July 14, 2025 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
A rumor has been circulating on social media and across the internet that a new “touch law” went into effect on June 5, 2025, in 31 U.S. states, including Minnesota. The purported law bans handling or touching your phone while driving. This claim is misleading, however. Such a law did go into effect in Pennsylvania on June 5 and is known as “Paul Miller’s Law.” But the other states mentioned in the claim, including Minnesota, already have similar laws that have been in place for several years. In Minnesota’s case, the hands-free cell phone use law went into effect in 2019. So, while there is no new “touch law” in Minnesota, drivers should still act in accordance with the existing law. What is Minnesota’s Hands-Free Cell Phone Law? Minnesota’s hands-free law makes it illegal, in most cases, to use a handheld cell phone while driving. This includes when a driver’s vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or in a traffic jam. However, it is legal for drivers to use cell phones in hands-free mode. This means that drivers are permitted to use their phones through voice commands or with a single-touch activation. So, you are allowed to make or take phone calls, send or receive messages, listen to audio, and receive GPS…
Read MoreADA Compliance and Web Design: What You Need to Know
August 10, 2023 | Carole Clark Isakson
Is your website ADA compliant? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all electronic information and technology be accessible to those with disabilities. The US Department of Justice provided very specific guidance in this area in 2010, but MANY organizations are not compliant. In fact, according to a recent StarTribune article, citing a survey by the Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice at Utah State University, 96.3% of the most visited websites are not fully compliant with the accessibility requirements of the ADA. If the ADA applies to your business, it applies to your website. The Cost of Noncompliance What does this mean for you? Litigation is on the rise in this area with some lawyers and law firms focusing on filing lawsuits against companies with non-compliant websites. Lawsuit costs and alleged damages can easily exceed $100,000. If your website isn’t compliant and the ADA applies to you, it’s time to improve your website. Even better than legal compliance, however, is the fact that making your website compliant will expand your marketing to a group of potential clients and customers that you were missing (and that were perhaps missing you). How to Improve Your Website The best way to ensure that your website is ADA compliant is to contact your web developer or…
Read MoreDUI/DWI: What to do if you are pulled over
July 18, 2022 | Adriel B. Villarreal
Summertime is here and that means warm weather fun like going to the lake, cookouts, birthday parties, or even a Twins game. It can also mean overindulging when it comes to alcohol. If you do find yourself driving while intoxicated and end up getting stopped by the police, continue reading our blog here for information on DWIs and what you should do when pulled over. First thing’s first We first want to acknowledge that you should not be drinking and driving or taking any substances that will affect your motor skills, as it is against the law and should be avoided at all costs. A charge for a DUI or DWI in Minnesota is not taken lightly and you could potentially face jail time, large fines, and license revocation. More importantly, you keep everyone that shares the roads with you safe and unharmed. So please make sure that you have a designated driver or use a driving service to get you to your destination. Pull over and remain calm When you are first pulled over by an officer, you need to remain calm. We understand this can be a stressful moment, but it is important to stay levelheaded during this situation. When the officer approaches your car, have your ID, registration and insurance…
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