The crime of theft can be planned out far in advance or can occur as a result of an impulse decision, but either way, if you are caught in the act, you can face significant punishments in Minnesota. Moreover, a theft conviction can cause major problems for you later in life, as schools, employers and landlords may not want to deal with someone who has shown a propensity for theft in the past. Because of this, it’s incredibly important that you connect with a lawyer if you are facing a theft charge. It doesn’t matter whether it’s petty theft or felony theft, you’ll want to consult with a lawyer to determine the best path forward for your case. If you’re facing a theft charge, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm to set up a free case evaluation.
Minnesota Theft Lawyer
There are many different forms of theft on the books in Minnesota. In fact, the statute governing what constitutes theft in Minnesota lists 19 different types of thefts, and many of those acts have sub-definitions that only further expand on theft charges in Minnesota. Theft can be as simple as taking someone else’s belongings, or more complicated, like using a device to steal cable or promising to perform work on someone’s property and never following through with the job. Theft charges are each unique, which is why you need a lawyer who can look at the facts of the case and come up an with individualized defense that puts you in the best position to earn a favorable outcome. We’ve done it for countless clients in the past, and we can do the same for you.
“Two theft cases resulted in a dismissal recently because of Avery, Jennifer and Alexa. Hiring Avery and his amazing team was the best decision I could’ve possibly made. They’re absolutely amazing. He immediately calmed me down and was determined to get the best possible result. Case dismissed! Thank you Avery, Jennifer and Alexa.”
Theft Laws & Consequences in Minnesota
As we mentioned above, there are a number of different ways a person can end up facing theft charges in Minnesota. Some actions that can result in a theft charge include:
- Intentionally taking, using, transferring, concealing or retaining possession of movable property of another without the other’s consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of the property.
- Obtaining moveable property with intentional deceit or swindle.
- Promising goods or services without intent to perform.
- Finding lost property and failing to attempt to return it while having reasonable means of ascertaining the true owner.
- Altering numbers or symbols on moveable property in order to conceal the identification of a true owner (altering mailing addresses, serial numbers, etc.).
- Obtaining cable services through unauthorized connections.
- Taking a car without the owner’s consent.
The most common theft charge comes from attempting to take someone else’s rightful property, but if you commit acts in order to obtain or sell goods under false pretenses, you can be charged with criminal theft under the law.
The penalties you’ll face will be based on your actions and the value of the goods that are allegedly stolen. Mail theft may not seem like a very serious crime, but if you take high value packages, you can end up facing a felony because of the cost of the stolen goods. Stealing a Kit Kat bar at Wal-Mart will result in different charges than stealing an iPhone from Wal-Mart, so know that risk increases as the value of the item increases.
A person can face felony charges and a potential sentence of up to 10 – 20 years in prison and $20,000 – $100,000 in fines if:
- The stolen property or services is valued at $5,000 – $35,000.
- The property is a firearm.
- The property is a trade secret or explosive.
If the stolen property or services is valued at $1,000 – $5,000, a person can face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. A person can be charged with a gross misdemeanor theft offense if they steal property or services valued between $500 and $1,000. This carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and/or $3,000 in fines. A misdemeanor theft charge occurs when a person steals property or services valued at less than $500. This offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
Common Theft Defenses in Minnesota
A theft defense will be crafted to your unique case, but some angles your lawyer will explore include:
- Ownership– You can’t steal something that is rightfully yours, and sometimes you can get the charges dropped if you can prove that you are the rightful owner of the item in question. If you have receipts, messages or documents that suggest you purchased the item or were simply taking back property that was already yours, you may be able to win your case.
- No Intent– A theft conviction requires intent, so if you did not knowingly steal the item, you could see the charges dropped.
- Falsely Accused – If you were falsely blamed for stealing something from a store, you may work to prove that you were not in fact the individual who stole the item.
- Coercion/Duress– If you were coerced into stealing or you were threatened into the act, you may have a viable defense. This tends to be a better defense for younger individuals who may be more impressionable or unable to fully comprehend the consequences of their actions.
- Someone Gave You The Item– This defense is a mix of the first two defenses, but if you believed that someone gave you the item, then there was clearly a lack of intent to steal, and you can get the charges dropped.
Use Our Free Pocket Guide for Minnesota Theft Crimes
Use our free interactive guide for Minnesota theft crimes on the Ask Appelman App.
Twin Cities Theft Attorney
If you or someone you know is facing theft charges, it’s important not to ignore the charge and hope the judge is lenient. A theft conviction can have long-term consequences, and it’s best to have the whole situation sorted out with the help of an experienced lawyer. Let the team at Appelman Law Firm be your guide. Give our team a call today for a free case strategy session at (952) 224-2277.
