Polk County, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—On January 8, 2025, law enforcement in Polk County arrested Devin James Bigbear, born December 3, 2003, for failure to appear in court following a felony charge. This offense is classified under Minnesota Statute 609.49, which addresses individuals who, after being charged with or convicted of a felony and released from custody, intentionally fail to appear in court as required.
According to Minnesota law, such an offense may result in a sentence of up to one-half of the maximum term of imprisonment or fine prescribed for the underlying crime, with a minimum sentence of one year and one day of imprisonment or a fine of $1,500, or both.
Failure to appear charges are taken seriously in Minnesota, as they impede the judicial process. Individuals released from custody are legally obligated to attend all scheduled court appearances. Non-compliance can lead to additional charges and more severe penalties.
In a similar case, Danielle Alexis Ochoa was charged in October 2024 for failing to appear in court following a felony conviction, highlighting the legal consequences of such actions.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office maintains records of arrests and charges, which are accessible to the public for informational purposes. These records are subject to change and may be updated periodically.
It is important to note that an arrest does not equate to a conviction. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me