Charged With Receiving Stolen Property? Call Judith Samson Today!
If you have been accused of receiving stolen property, you may be unsure about what that means. It doesn’t sound serious, but the truth is that it can be, especially in Minnesota.
So, What Does It Really Mean?
If you are charged with receiving stolen property, you are being accused of having something that was stolen.
You may even try to transfer it or sell it to someone else, not realizing that you got it illegally.
What are the Consequences?
In Minnesota, receiving stolen property is considered the same crime as theft, according to Minnesota Statute 609.53, which states that the consequences are the same as they are for theft.
So, what does this mean for you? Depending on the value of the piece of property, your charge and punishment will vary.
If the property was worth more than thirty-five thousand dollars, you could spend up to twenty years of your life in jail. You might also be required to pay fines up to one hundred thousands dollars. You may also be facing this consequence if you were dealing with firearms or explosives.
If the property was valued over one thousand dollars, it is considered a felony in this state. You could be faced with five to ten years in jail, along with significant fines (up to ten thousand dollars).
If the value was less than one thousand but more than five hundred dollars, you are looking at a gross misdemeanor. You could spend up to a year in jail. You may or may not also be required to pay a fine which could cost you up to three thousand dollars.
It is considered a misdemeanor if you had something that was worth less than five hundred dollars. You could spend up to ninety days in jail and may have to pay up to one thousand dollars in fines.
What Are Common Defenses?
Any time that you are faced with a charge of receiving stolen property, you are going to need to come up with a defense. The most common defense is fighting that you didn’t realize that the property was stolen. To be charged with theft essentially, you have to realize that you were doing it.
If they can’t get the charges dropped due to ignorance, a good lawyer may also fight about the value of the property. The less value that it has, the less time you will spend in jail (and the less amount of money you will have to pay in fines).
Why Do You Need a Lawyer?
Any time that you are accused of a crime, you need a lawyer. Being arrested for receiving stolen property is no different.
You are facing serious consequences. Since receiving stolen property is essentially theft, you are facing jail time and significant fines. The more expensive the property was, the worse off that you are. You can’t leave that up to fate. You need someone who is going to be able to help you.
You are going to need someone on your side to help you fight. When you are in trouble with the law, you are going to feel like nobody is on your side. You may end up losing friends and family. However, your lawyer is going to stand by you, from the beginning all of the way to the end.
Your lawyer will help you come up with a good defense. Having a good defense could be the difference between getting the charges dropped and losing everything. It can also be the difference between one year in jail and twenty.
You need a good lawyer with a good defense who is willing to fight for you. Contact us for all of your legal needs. We will help you get through this difficult time.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
