Shoplifting / Theft Laws

Being accused of shoplifting or a theft crime can be a real wake up call. You may have made a big mistake or had a lapse in judgement that you seriously regret.  Or you may be completely innocent! Cases of mistaken intenions happen all the time. Either way, you have to fight the criminal court system now, and we can help.

Under Minnesota law, theft offenses are extremely varied. You may have walked out of a store without paying or you might be accused of deceiving someone for monetary gain. Our defense attorneys know the ins and outs of Minnesota theft laws and can make sure you get the treatment you deserve while involved in the criminal justice system.

As your attorney, it would be our responsibility to make sure your rights are protected at every stage of the criminal justice process. We will work to ensure you get the best possible results on your day in court. Contact us to discuss what led you to these charges and how we can help.

Theft & Shoplifting Laws in Minnesota

There are numerous acts that constitute theft. If you do any of the following you could be charged with this offense:

• Intentionally take, use, transfer, conceal, or retain possession of property of another without consent and with the intention of depriving the rightful owner of possession,
• Obtaining possession, title, or services through false representation
• Obtaining property or services from another by trick or swindle
• Finding lost property and failing to attempt to find the right owner and surrender the property
• Intentionally obtaining property out of a money operated machine without depositing money
• Converting a trade secret or article representing a trade secret to your own use
• Renting or leasing property with the intent to obtain unlawful permanent possession
• Altering or removing identification numbers on property with the intent to prevent identification of rightful owner
• Stealing cable through unauthorized connections
• Diverting corporate property for use not in accordance with general business purposes

These examples are just a portion of those that are considered “theft” under Minnesota law.

How you are charged and sentenced depends on many factors and the circumstances surrounding the alleged offense. Obviously the value of the property or services plays a big role but so does the manner in which it was taken.

There are many exceptions to the following possible sentence impositions. For this reason, you should discuss your theft case with a qualified attorney as soon as possible to ensure you know exactly what you are up against and can improve the likelihood of a positive outcome in court.

Shoplifting/Theft Penalties in Minnesota

If the value of the property or services is more than $35,000 or the property is a firearm, you will face felony charges and a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

If the value is greater than $5,000 but less than $35,000 or the property is a trade secret or explosive, you will also face felony charges and up to 10 years in prison with fines reaching $20,000.

If the value of the property or services is more than $1,000 and less than $5,000 you will face up to 5 years in prison and fines of $10,000.

If the value is between $500 and $1,000 your charge will likely be a gross misdemeanor and your potential sentence could reach up to one year in jail and $3,000 in fines.

Any cases involving property or services valued at less than $500 is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000.

Ref: Minnesota Statutes §609.52

Confused? Get a Free Consultation on a Theft or Shoplifting Charge in Minnesota

There are a number of theft/shoplifting offenses under Minnesota law. Many of them are confusing and very complex. To be certain you know what you are up against when facing theft charges in court, call to discuss your case today.

We will provide a thorough case evaluation of the facts against you, and apprise you of all the possible defense options, and what you can expect might be the most likely and possible outcomes.

Find out what we can do to help by calling us today.