Minnesota Theft & Burglary Defense Lawyer

Minnesota Theft Defense Attorney & Criminal Lawyer

A theft or burglary charge anywhere in Minnesota brings a lot of confusion and uncertainty about the future. You are most likely looking for an answer and a way to overcome the charge and move on with your life. With a qualified and skilled Minnesota theft and burglary defense lawyer in your corner, you can work toward a fair result in your case. It doesn't matter if you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, you deserve to be defended and for your rights to be protected.

Charles Segal can be that advocate, putting to work his years of legal experience in your case. He has a track record of successful outcomes that have resulted in dismissed charges, acquittal, or reduced penalties. Regardless of the type of theft committed, you are entitled to the help of a criminal defense attorney who will stay with you every step of the way.

Aggressive Advocate Against Theft Charges

Theft comes in many forms. It can involve an act as simple as shoplifting or an act as complex as armed robbery. White collar crimes are also considered types of theft and can include:

• Credit card fraud
• Identity theft
• Internet crimes
• Health care fraud
• Embezzlement
• Extortion
• Money laundering

These are just some examples of criminal acts that are considered theft in the white collar sector. They involve fraud for the sake of financial gain. Nonetheless, it is possible to be falsely accused of theft. It comes down to identifying the facts and using them and the law to make sure the outcome in the case is fair. The goal is to obtain the best possible outcome so you don't have to pay unnecessary penalties.

Creative And Strategic Defenses That Get Results

When evaluating your case, Charles Segal will create a strategic defense for you based on the facts. He looks at every area of the case to determine if your rights were violated, if the arrest process wasn't carried out properly, and how evidence was gathered. Any violations can work in your favor. He will also look at the evidence, statements, and other materials relevant to the case. Your past could also be used in your favor.

From burglary to fraud, it is imperative to have a Minnesota theft and burglary defense lawyer by your side who defends clients throughout the state, from the Twin Cities metro to greater Minnesota, as they work toward the result they are fighting for.

Minnesota Burglary Defense Attorney

Burglary is a separate crime from theft, and the distinction matters for your defense. Under Minnesota law, burglary is defined as entering a building without consent and either committing a crime inside or intending to commit one. The key fact is the unauthorized entry itself. You can be charged with burglary even if nothing is ultimately taken, because the charge turns on entering a structure without permission with criminal intent, not on whether a theft was completed. Burglary is charged under Minn. Stat. §609.582, and Charles Segal defends these cases for clients across Minnesota.

Many people use the words burglary, robbery, and theft as if they mean the same thing. They do not. Understanding how they differ helps you understand exactly what you are up against:

• Theft (Minn. Stat. §609.52) involves taking or using someone else's property without consent and with intent to keep it. No entry into a building is required.
• Burglary (Minn. Stat. §609.582) centers on entering a building or dwelling without consent with intent to commit a crime inside. It is about the unauthorized entry, not force against a person.
• Robbery (Minn. Stat. §609.24) involves taking property directly from another person through force or the threat of force. The use or threat of force is what sets robbery apart.

The Degrees Of Burglary In Minnesota

Minnesota grades burglary by degree under Minn. Stat. §609.582, and the degree charged drives how serious the case is. In general terms, the degree rises with factors such as whether the building was a home, whether anyone was present, whether a weapon was involved, and whether anyone was harmed.

• First-degree burglary is the most serious. It typically involves entering a dwelling, another person being present, possession of a dangerous weapon, or an assault on someone inside. It is a felony carrying the steepest potential penalties.
• Second-degree burglary commonly involves entering a dwelling, or entering certain buildings such as a bank, pharmacy, or school, or using tools to gain entry. It is a felony.
• Third-degree burglary generally involves entering a building with intent to commit a crime, or committing a crime once inside, without the aggravating factors above. It is a felony.
• Fourth-degree burglary generally involves entering a building with intent to commit a misdemeanor other than stealing. It is the lowest level under the statute.

Because the consequences escalate so sharply with each degree, one of the first jobs in any burglary case is examining whether the charged degree actually fits the facts. Pushing an overcharged first- or second-degree allegation down to a lesser degree, or out entirely, can change the entire outlook of a case.

Defending Against A Burglary Charge

Because a burglary conviction depends on proving unauthorized entry plus criminal intent, there is often more room to challenge the state's case than people expect. Charles Segal reviews each burglary case for weaknesses that can be used in your favor, including:

• Consent or lawful entry. If you had permission to be there, or a reasonable belief that you did, the unauthorized-entry element is in doubt.
• No criminal intent. Entering a building is not burglary unless the state can prove intent to commit a crime inside.
• Mistaken identity. Burglary cases often rest on circumstantial evidence, and the wrong person is sometimes accused.
• Constitutional violations. If a search, seizure, or arrest was carried out improperly, evidence may be subject to suppression.
• Overcharging. Facts that do not support the degree charged can support a reduction to a lower degree or a different charge.

Contact A Minnesota Theft & Burglary Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of a theft or burglary crime, defending against the charge matters because of the lasting impact a conviction can have on your future in the form of a criminal record. With a solid criminal defense lawyer by your side, you can work toward the best possible outcome in the case. To learn more, call Segal Defense, P.A. at 612-299-1110 to request a free consultation. Charles Segal defends clients throughout Minnesota.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burglary Charges In Minnesota

What is the difference between burglary, robbery, and theft in Minnesota?

Theft (Minn. Stat. §609.52) is taking someone's property without consent and intending to keep it, and it requires no entry into a building. Burglary (Minn. Stat. §609.582) is entering a building without consent intending to commit a crime inside, so the focus is on the unauthorized entry rather than on force. Robbery (Minn. Stat. §609.24) is taking property directly from a person using force or the threat of force. A single situation can sometimes involve more than one of these charges, which is one reason an early case review matters.

What are the penalties for burglary in Minnesota?

Penalties depend on the degree charged under Minn. Stat. §609.582. First- and second-degree burglary are the most serious felonies and carry the steepest potential prison time and fines, particularly when a dwelling, another person, a weapon, or an assault is involved. Third- and fourth-degree burglary are less severe but are still serious charges that can result in a permanent record. Because the exact exposure turns on the specific facts and degree, it is worth having a lawyer review your particular charge.

Do I need a lawyer if I have been charged with burglary in Minnesota?

Possibly. Most burglary charges in Minnesota are felonies, and a conviction can carry long-term consequences for your record, your work, and your freedom. Whether hiring an attorney makes sense depends on the facts of your situation, so the best step is to contact Charles Segal to find out whether it makes sense in your case. He defends burglary and theft clients throughout Minnesota and offers a free consultation.