St. Paul Shoplifting Defense Lawyer

What constitutes shoplifting in Minnesota?

Shoplifting is defined as the unlawful removal of goods from a retail establishment such as a grocery store, clothing store, equipment store and others. Whether this criminal act was intentional is the question posed to the court in the event of a shoplifting charge, and it can sometimes be quite challenging for a prosecutor to sufficiently prove that the defendant knowingly committed the act. An adept St. Paul criminal defense lawyer can provide the high-level defense counsel necessary if you hope to beat shoplifting charges in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The penalties for shoplifting may vary greatly depending on the amount of goods stolen. Shoplifting of less than $500 in goods is a misdemeanor and can result in up to 90 days in jail, and fines of up to $1,000. Those who shoplift goods totaling between $500 and $1,000 may be charged with a gross misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail and fines not exceeding $3,000. Stealing items with a total value ranging between $1,000 and $5,000 face felony charges with up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Those who shoplift between $5,000 and $35,000 in goods also face a felony in addition to up to 10 years in prison and fines not exceeding $20,000. The most severe penalty for shoplifting is a felony and occurs when the value of items stolen exceed $35,000, or include firearms. Those convicted of this type of theft crime may face up to 20 years in prison in addition to fines up to $100,000.

St. Paul Shoplifting Defense Strategies That Work

The firm has worked for years to protect the rights of all clients throughout the process who have been charged with a shoplifting offense throughout St. Paul. Our firm has consistently provided invaluable guidance, legal support and court representation for many satisfied defendants, and could play an integral role in securing your freedom. We understand that it can be very difficult to prove intent in shoplifting cases, and we will work hard to present a case that provides sufficient doubt is established as to your guilt.

Contact a St. Paul shoplifting lawyer if you have been charged with shoplifting and want to discuss your legal options for defense.