Minneapolis & St. Paul Burglary Defense Lawyer
Burglary is undoubtedly a serious crime and it has the potential to send you to prison for an extended period of time. When you are up against such a crime, it can feel like no one is there to support you. You have the cops and the prosecutor working to secure a conviction and have you pay the maximum penalties. When you have an aggressive Minneapolis criminal defense attorney by your side, you can secure a better outcome while your rights are protected throughout the entire legal process.
The reason why burglary is pursued so aggressively is because it is much more than theft and the penalties a person must pay reflects this fact. The Minnesota laws that govern burglary are quite confusing. They are charged in four degrees and each carries its own set of penalties. Regardless of which degree you are charged with, your attorney will fight for you every step of the way.
Challenging All Degrees Of Burglary
Minnesota law divides burglary into the following categories:
- 4th Degree Burglary – If you are accused of entering a structure without the consent of the owner or tenant and the intent is to commit a misdemeanor crime other than theft, you could be charged with 4th degree burglary. The penalties are up to $3,000 in fines and 1 year in prison.
- 3rd Degree Burglary – If you are accused of entering a structure without the consent of the tenant or owner and the intention is to commit any type of crime. A person can be charged with 3rd degree whether they are the primary offender or an accomplice. A conviction can result in up to $10,000 in fines and 5 years in prison. `
- 2nd Degree Burglary – If you are accused of entering a structure without the permission of the owner or tenant with the intent to commit a criminal act. This is the charge if at least one of the following is true: the section of the building entered houses a business or bank and the entry was by force, the section of the building contains a pharmacy or related business and the entry is forced, the structure is a dwelling, a tool is used to gain access to property or money during the criminal act. The penalty for 2nd degree is up to $20,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
- 1st Degree Burglary – This is the most serious charge under Minnesota law. It is the charge that you could face if you entered a building without the consent of the tenant or owner and the intention of the entry was to commit a crime. One of the following should be true: The building is a dwelling, a dangerous weapon was present, or someone was assaulted during the offense. The potential sentence is up to $35,000 in fines and up to 20 years in prison.
Seeking The Best Result For You
The goal of your Minnesota criminal defense attorney is to achieve the best result for you. Even if there is legitimacy to the accusations against you, there may be factors in the case that play in your favor. It is a must to use those elements toward securing a much better future for you.
Contact A Minneapolis Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been accused of burglary, the consequences can be very serious. In order to possibly avoid as many of the consequences as possible, you can engage the assistance of a highly qualified criminal defense attorney. At the Anderson Law Firm, PLLC, we are concerned with your future and doing everything possible to ensure you reach the best conclusion in your case. To learn more about how we can help you in your burglary defense matter, call us at 952-582-2904 for a free consultation.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Please contact attorney Kirk Anderson for an initial consultation.