It’s what everyone hopes to avoid while driving: the dreaded “flashing blues” in their rear-view mirror, an indication that someone’s about to be pulled over. Hopefully it isn’t you. At one point or another, just about everyone drives faster than the posted speed limit. Generally speaking, traffic enforcement officers give motorists some latitude – allowing motorists to drive between 5 and 10 miles per hour faster than what’s allowed for – but anything more than that and a ticket is probably in your future. If you have received a ticket --- speaking to an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.
A ticket has lasting effects. It can cause auto insurance premiums to increase for motorists who are convicted and attaches points onto the driving record. Get too many tickets, and it could result in a license suspension.
Think About It
Generally speaking, most courts decide in favor of the police officer, typically because they have proof that confirms their observation. Furthermore, even if you think you have a compelling argument, there’s no guarantee that the judge will decide in your favor. Thus, you can wind up spending hours in court hearings and you don't get the result you want/need. .
That being said --- having help (ie., a lawyer) can might be the best use of your time/defense to beat a charge and/or negotiate an outcome with the prosecutor to keep it off of your record.
If you think spending a few dollars is worth the saving in the long-term. Call the Rolloff Law Office - our fees for citations start at under $200. Call for FREE ANSWERS today: (612) 234-1165.
The laws of the State of Minnesota list a number of specific actions that, when committed, would constitute the offense of theft. To get to the bottom of this - read on - and consider calling an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.
Theft (Defined)
A person commits theft under Minnesota law when he or she: intentionally takes, uses, transfers, conceals or retains possession of property belonging to another, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property
obtains possession, custody, or title to property or services by intentionally deceiving another person with a false representation files a false medical claim, finds lost property but makes no reasonable attempt to restore it to its owner
leases or rents personal property but fails to return the property or pay for the property, intentionally deprives another of a lawful charge for cable television or telecommunications service, or, takes or drives a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. (Minn. Stat. Ann. § 609.52 Subd. 2.)
Classification of Theft Offenses and Penalties in Minnesota
Like many other states, Minnesota classifies theft offenses according to the dollar value of the property or services taken (and sometimes according to the type of property).
Property Valued at Less than $500
The lowest level theft offense in Minnesota -- often called petty theft -- occurs when the value of the property or services stolen is $500 or less. A person who commits theft at this level will receive a sentence of imprisonment of not more than 90 days and/or a fine of not more than $1,000. (Minn. Stat. Ann. § 609.52 Subd. 3(5).)
$500 to $1,000
If the value of the property or services is more than $500 but not more than $1,000, a theft offense is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than one year, or a fine of not more than $3,000, or both. (§ 609.52 Subd. 3(4).)
$1,000 to $5,000
When the value of the property or services stolen is more than $1,000 but not more than $5,000, a theft offense is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of no more than five years, or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
Theft offenses at this level also include:
- theft of a Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substance
- theft when the value of the property or services stolen is more than $500 but not more than $1,000, and the person has a conviction of a similar offense within the preceding five years, either in Minnesota or elsewhere, or
- the property stolen is not worth more than $1,000, and is taken from a corpse, grave, or coffin; or is a public or court record; is taken during a riot or disaster; or is a motor vehicle. or court record. (§ 609.52 Subd. 3(3).)
More than $5,000
Where the dollar value of property or services stolen is more than $5,000, the offense is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or a fine of not more than $20,000, or both. Theft offenses at this level also include: theft of a trade secret, theft of an explosive or incendiary device, or, theft of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, other than marijuana. (§ 609.52 Subd. 3(2).)
More than $35,000
Finally, the most serious form of theft under Minnesota law is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than 20 years, or a fine of $100,000, or both. Theft offenses at this level include: theft of property or services valued at more than $35,000 when certain aggravating circumstances exist, which include fraud, deceit, or a vulnerable adult victim, or theft of a firearm of any value (§ 609.52 Subd. 3(1).)
For more information on how to defend yourself - even if you think you're guilty of Theft --- perform your own legal research or call the Rolloff Law Office to set up a FREE consultation (612) 234-1165.
