Minnesota law defines theft as the act of intentionally taking, using transferring, concealing, or retaining property that belongs to another person with the intent of depriving that person of the property; filing a false medical claim; obtaining custody, possession, or title to services or property by intentionally deceiving through false representation; finding lost property and making no effort to return it to its owner; intentionally depriving a company of a lawful charge for telecommunications service or cable television; or driving a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner.
If you are charged with any of these actions, then you will want a theft lawyer Minneapolis has seen successful in this area when it comes to helping clients receive the best results in their case. Perhaps you made a mistake or your case is one of mistaken identity. Either way, it is your right to secure the proper representation.
Focused Defense Against Petty Theft Charges
One common form of theft in Minnesota is petty theft. It is one that many individuals feel they do not need a Minneapolis theft lawyer for. They reason why they do not think they need an attorney is because the sentence is a slight one compared to other theft sentences and a guilty plea can actually result in a stayed sentence, which means the individual can stay out of jail. However, the guilty plea for a theft crime can result in issues retaining and obtaining employment and even finding a place to live.
Petty theft is defined as the lowest theft offense in Minnesota and involves property or services that are valued at $500 or less. A person who commits this form of theft will receive a jail sentence that is no more than 90 days and/or a maximum fine of $1,000.
Achieving The Best Results For You
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the case, a theft attorney Minneapolis courts are experienced with and who knows how to achieve the best result can get that result. It is possible for petty theft cases to be dismissed completely. Sometimes they are the result of misunderstandings and other times the value of property is exaggerated or the property may not have been stolen at all. There are many situations that can surround an accusation of petty theft and your attorney will get to the bottom of it.
Contact A Minneapolis & St. Paul Theft Attorney
An act of theft is placed in one of a number of categories, which determines the penalties if a conviction takes place. If you are accused of petty theft, you may feel like it is not a serious crime that will not follow you around for the rest of your life. This is a misconception since it is the lowest theft offense in Minnesota. It can still cause a number of issues when a background check is performed on you. When working with an experienced Minneapolis criminal attorney, it is possible to achieve a much better result. To learn more about how the Law Office of Mark Herman can help you, call 24/7 at 612-382-4545 to schedule a free consultation.