State argues sex offender status in court today

Attorneys for the Department of Human Services will appear in federal court to argue why a man should stay in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program after an expert panel said he should be released.

Officials have already filed documents saying the man is a danger to the public and still needs treatment. That differs from experts who say there's little evidence he's a risk.

The court-appointed experts are evaluating whether patients are receiving appropriate treatment at MSOP. The evaluations are part of a class-action lawsuit in which residents claim the program is unconstitutional because it keeps sex offenders locked up indefinitely.

The experts also recommended that a female offender be moved to another setting. The state has argued there are no other suitable options that would meet the woman's needs.

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