Did you know these three crimes are different, even though they are often used interchangeably? If you have been arrested for any of these three, it is important to know what makes the crimes different under Minnesota law, and what it means if you have been charged with any of them.
What is theft?
Like many other states, Minnesota classifies theft offenses according to the dollar value of the property or services taken. There are two types of theft: petty theft and grand theft. Petty theft involves stealing any objects or services at or under $500. The charge becomes grand theft when stolen objects or services, together, are worth more than $500. To commit a theft crime you have to take anything that doesn’t belong to you whether it is from a store, home, or even along the side of a road. However it does not require person-to-person contact.
In Minnesota, those charged with petty theft face:
- Receive a sentence of imprisonment of not more than 90 days
- And/or a fine of not more than $1,000
In Minnesota, those charged with grand theft face (depending on value stolen):
- Receive a sentence of imprisonment up to 20 years
- And/or a fine of up to $100,000
What is robbery?
Unlike theft, robbery does require person-person contact. The crime still involves the taking of property that does not belong to you, but it also involves the element of force. Because robbery includes force and violence, it is often considered a more serious crime than theft. Those charged with robbery can expect the following:
- Simple robbery: punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or fines of up to $20,000
- First degree aggravated robbery: punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $35,000
- Second degree aggravated robbery: punishable by up to yo 15 years in prison and/or fines up to $30,000
What is burglary?
There are certain conditions that must be met in order for a charge for burglary to stick. Burglary involves the act of breaking into someone else’s property with the intention of committing a crime. As with robbery, there are different kinds of burglary.
- First degree burglary: involves entry into an occupied dwelling in possession of a dangerous weapon, and assault on someone in the building. First degree carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and/or a fine up to $35,000
- Second degree burglary: involves entering a banking or securities building using or threatening force, forcibly entering a pharmacy, government building, religious establishment, historic property, or school building, and stealing or damaging property. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $20,000
- Third degree burglary: when the defendant commits or intends to commit theft or a felony or gross misdemeanor. A person convicted of third-degree burglary faces up to five years in prison, and/or a fine of $10,000
- Fourth degree burglary: Any other burglary is a gross misdemeanor offense. A person who enters a building without permission and commits or intends to commit a misdemeanor (other than theft) is guilty of fourth-degree burglary. Penalties include a fine of up to $3,000, and/or up to one year in jail.
What happens after you are arrested?
If you or someone you know is in need of a bail bond for theft, robbery, or burglary, contact AAA Bail Bonds, with locations throughout greater Minnesota.
