Arrested For Theft In Minneapolis / St Paul?

There are a number of different criminal offenses that fall under the wide umbrella of theft crimes. Theft involves taking another person’s property knowingly and without consent. Theft crimes are often in connection to robbery or burglary, white collar crimes or corporate crimes and fraud cases. While some theft cases, such as shoplifting, may be classified as gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor offenses, others are convicted as felonies and come with serious implications.

Types Of Theft Crimes

Some of the more common theft crimes across Minnesota include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:

  • Identity theft
  • Mail theft
  • Receiving stolen property
  • Embezzlement
  • Shoplifting and possession of shoplifting gear
  • Employee theft
  • Stolen and counterfeit checks
  • Credit card theft
  • Issuance of dishonored checks
  • Theft by swindle

Theft often involves a conscious and premeditated plan to steal an item. However, it can often be hard to prove that the act constituting theft was intentional or premeditated. It is possible to walk away from a theft arrest without a criminal conviction.

Embezzlement and Employee Theft

Embezzlement is considered a white collar crime as it usually takes place within the workplace. Embezzlement involves taking funds from a higher authority who has entrusted you with the money. Other acts of employee theft include stealing money from a cash register, insider trading, stealing goods from the stockroom, forging receipts, voiding receipts, taking office equipment and shipping and billing scams.

Receiving Stolen Property

You may be convicted of receiving stolen property under the Minnesota theft laws if you receive, possess, transfer, buy or conceal any stolen property or goods obtained by robbery. In order to be convicted of this theft crime, it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt that you were aware that the goods were stolen or received in an illegal manner.

Mail Theft

You could be accused of mail theft is you intentionally take another person’s mail or intentionally remove someone’s mail from a mail box. You could also be accused of mail theft if you sign for a piece of mail that is not yours.

Stolen and Counterfeit Checks

It is also considered a theft crime to sell, possess, receive or transfer a check that is stolen or counterfeit if you are aware that the check is not valid, fake or stolen.

Shoplifting and Possession of Shoplifting Gear

You may be arrested for shoplifting if you are found to have stolen at item from a store or have switched the price tags on a certain item. Possessing gear to aid in a shoplifting scandal is also deemed a punishable crime. Your conviction and punishment will depend on the amount of goods stolen. Some shoplifting crimes are considered petty theft while others are considered grand theft.

Minnesota Criminal Lawyer & Defense Attorney

If you or someone you love has been accused of any theft or shoplifting offense, then it is important that you act fast before this serious criminal charge causes any more devastating problems. Keyser Criminal Defense will provide you with aggressive representation, a sound defense strategy and thorough research to ensure the best outcome possible. Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Christopher W. Keyser at (612) 338-5007 for a free, confidential and pressure-free case evaluation.

Serving Clients Throughout Minnesota

Keyser Criminal Defense represent clients throughout Minnesota, including the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Roseville and Woodbury.