Minnesota Criminal Defense

Charged with a Crime in Minnesota?

Criminal Defense Lawyers Explain Charges and Penalties

A criminal conviction can drastically affect the rest of your life. You may face the possibility of jail time, fines and other penalties, and your reputation may be damaged. Additionally, a conviction may prevent you from finding work and/or housing in the future. Since so much hangs in the balance, you should always work a criminal defense lawyer with a history of success. Even innocence is not always an ironclad defense – law enforcement and prosecutors may not care about your side of the story, but will simply focus on getting a conviction. An attorney can work to enforce your rights and expose any misconduct or negligence that may have led to your arrest. In many cases, a good lawyer can get your charges or penalties reduced, minimizing the negative impact on your life.

If you have been arrested or someone you know was taken into police custody, then you should find a lawyer as quickly as possible. No matter what kinds of charges you face, from a misdemeanor to a felony, finding an attorney you trust is essential. To speak with a local Minnesota criminal lawyer today, consult our local listings.

What Are the Basic Types of Criminal Charges?

The type of criminal charge you face may vary depending on the nature of the alleged crime. Although each state has its own specific classifications, the general types of charges are:

• Infraction. An infraction is the least serious type of charge you can face. In fact, some states handle infractions as civil cases, rather than criminal cases. Traffic violations and other minor offenses usually fall into this category. Jail is generally not a possibility for infractions, so you are not entitled to a jury trial and the state will usually not appoint you a lawyer. However, you can still hire one of your own.
• Petty offense. Some states, including Minnesota, categorize low-level criminal conduct as petty offenses. This may include illegal acts like gambling, disturbing the peace, public indecency, pollution violations and theft of items of low value.
• Misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is a more serious charge and county courts typically handle these cases. Common misdemeanor charges include assault, criminal trespass, theft and certain drug crimes, including possession and sale.
• Felony. This is the most serious type of criminal charge and state and/or federal courts usually handle these cases. Common felonies include murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, vehicular homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and certain drug crimes.

In some cases, a criminal defense lawyer can negotiate on your behalf with the prosecution to reduce the severity of the charges you face. If the court reduces your charge from a low-level felony to a misdemeanor, for example, then the repercussions you face may be much less serious.

What Is the Penalty for a Misdemeanor in Minnesota?

Each state has its own system for classifying misdemeanor and felony charges, and penalties may vary as well. In Minnesota, misdemeanors are categorized as gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors. The general penalties you may face for different types of criminal charges in Minnesota are:

• Gross Misdemeanors. These crimes are punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $3,000. Some examples of gross misdemeanor crimes in Minnesota are disturbing the legislature or intimidating a member of the legislature, assault on a peace officer, criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult, and stalking.
• Misdemeanors. These crimes are punishable by up to 90 days in jail, or a fine up to $1,000. Misdemeanors in Minnesota can include a first driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction, reckless driving (not resulting in serious injuries), assault in the fifth degree, trespass, and simple theft.
• Petty Misdemeanors. Petty misdemeanors are traffic offenses and other citations, and they are punishable by a fine of up to $300. Petty offenses will not result in jail time.

What Is the Penalty for a Felony in Minnesota?

Unlike most states, Minnesota law does not classify felony crimes into different classes. The Minnesota criminal statutes provide the possible penalties for each individual felony. In Minnesota, possible felony charges include:

• Murder in the first degree. While Minnesota doesn’t have the death penalty, convicted on charges of murder can result in life in prison.
• Criminal vehicular homicide, which may result in up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $20,000.
• Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, which can result in up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine up to $40,000.
• Domestic assault. If the offender has two convictions for domestic-related offenses within the prior 10 years, the crime is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000.
• Simple robbery, which can result in up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $20,000, or both.
• Controlled substance crime in the fifth degree (such as, sale of marijuana or possession of certain amounts of marijuana or other drugs), which can result in up to 5 years in prison or a fine up to $10,000.

Need a Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer? We Can Help

If you are facing any level of criminal charge, then a qualified lawyer may be essential to protecting your future. Additionally, if someone you know is currently in police custody, then you may wish to reach out to a lawyer on his or her behalf. To find a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer in your area, then consult our attorney listings. If you have general question about criminal law or certain charges, then do not hesitate to ask the lawyers™.