Legal Question in Criminal Law in Minnesota

Re: What is a contested omnibus hearing

In a criminal case in Minnesota, the Rules of Criminal Procedure provide for an "omnibus hearing" regarding defenses, objections, issues or requests to the court which are capable of determination before trial, and which are asserted by defense motion to dismiss or grant other appropriate relief (such as suppression of illegally obtained evidence). Other issues may be addressed at such a hearing as well, including a pre-trial dispositional conference (regarding plea bargaining, etc.) By common practice, the state courts in many counties call a pre-trial dispositional conference an "omnibus hearing" appearance; but, call the actual contested hearing on pre-trial defense motions the "contested omnibus hearing."

Re: What is a contested omnibus hearing

A contested Omnibus heaaring is a hearing to challenge the probable cause for the stop and the charge. At the omnibus, the arresting officer will take the stand and testified to the reasons you were stopped and ultimately charged. After testimony the Judge will make a determination whether or not pronbable cause exists after the hearing to support the charge