Minnesota Burglary Lawyer

Burglary, robbery, shoplifting and theft are different though related crimes with various degrees of severity accompanying each.  As one of the most widespread crimes today, the law in this area is constantly changing.  The sooner you connect with a committed criminal defense attorney, the better we can prepare for your case and secure a favorable outcome.

These property crimes are rampant with detailed nuisances creating difficult legal issues.  The various theft crimes include everything from intentionally using cable services without paying for them to shoplifting and filing false claims for medical care reimbursement.  Some of the basic definitions of these crimes are as follows.

Theft is the act of intentionally taking property or services of another person with intent to permanently deprive the owner of possession and without their consent.  It can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony.  The level of offense often is determined by the value of property or services stolen, as well as, whether the theft involved a firearm, vehicle, explosive, and other dangerous items.

Robbery is a theft of personal property from another or in the presence of another with the use of force.  Minnesota classifies robbery either as simple or aggravated in the first or second degree based on the presence or absence of a weapon.

Burglary, on the other hand, can be committed without the taking of any property.  Burglary’s essential element is entering the building of another without consent to do so.

Armed Robbery, Theft, Burglary

There are several factors that are considered during the sentencing phase of a burglary, robbery, or theft case. Those factors include:

• The type and value of property at issue;
• The presence or absence of people on the property at the time of the crime;
• Possession or use of a weapon during the commission of the crime;
• The presence or effect of illegal drugs during the commission of the crime; and
• The ultimate act intended to be committed.

These and other factors will affect the charges brought by the prosecution and the penalties imposed by the judge. Punishments can vary drastically.  The sentence can be something as small as probation, but as large as prison time with steep fines.

Minneapolis Criminal Lawyer

If you have been accused of theft or any similar crime you need a Minnesota theft crimes attorney to represent your interests. You need aggressive and compassionate representation to craft a winning strategy to bring a favorable end to your case. You need someone who knows the ins and outs of criminal defense and can use even the smallest details in your case to work for you.  Call Kevin A. Sieben to receive that representation.