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Property Damage Crimes in Minnesota
State law provides for varying levels of seriousness in charging someone with a damage to property offense. What the police charge you with depends on the value of the property and the specific circumstances that led to its damage. In fact, if the damage resulted from discrimination such as race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, gender, age or disability, the charges may be much more serious.
Under some circumstances, you may even face federal charges. A June, 2019. U.S. Supreme Court decision upheld the concept that an individual may be charged and convicted in both court systems without the Double Jeopardy protection of the Constitution.
- First Degree Property Damage – This level is used when the property that was damaged belongs to a common carrier such as a transport company, the value was reduced by more than $1,000 or, if not a first offense, it was reduced by more than $500, and if the damages may result in another person being hurt in some way.
- Second Degree Property Damage – This charge is levied when the damaged property was reduced by more than %500 but less than $1,000 in value. There are some other narrow reasons why a second degree charge might be made.
- Third Degree Property Damage – It is primarily charged when the property was damaged by less than $500.
A Property Damage Charge is a Big Deal
Sometimes we hear, “It was just a window, no big deal.” Believe us, being charged with a property damage crime is serious. A conviction will remain on your record and if you are ever charged with another crime, it will be used by prosecutors to try to increase the penalty they seek. As important, a conviction can result in a jail sentence and hefty fines plus you are likely to make restitution to the victim.
An experienced vandalism and property damage attorney will represent your rights. Often, a prosecutor will cite discrimination as a reason behind what you did. We will argue that it wasn’t and try to get the charges reduced before or at trial. Property damage crimes in Minnesota are serious, Sieben Edmunds Miller Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys and St.Paul criminal defense attorneys are just as serious about defending you against them.
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