Possession of Stolen Property Can Cost You Big Time

The expansion of Minnesota’s stolen property laws brought new penalties for possession. Now, prosecutors may pursue punishment for those possessing stolen property as stiff as for those who stole the property. Without a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney to mount a strong defense, defendants may be found guilty of possession, even when they had no knowledge of the original crime. The test for determining guilt or innocence in possession cases involves three parts.

Receipt

In order to prove possession of stolen property, the State must prove the defendant had the property in his or her possession. In some instances, proving this step is easy; the accused had the property on his or her body at the time of arrest. The receipt test becomes more difficult when proving indirect receipt.

Indirect receipt occurs when a defendant has only indirect control over the stolen property. An example of this would be a homeowner who allows their brother to store a stolen motorcycle in the home’s garage. Even though the homeowner didn’t drive the motorcycle or exercise personal possession, they are liable for receipt. The law enters a gray area when the defendant claims her or she had no knowledge of their indirect possession of the stolen property. Using the motorcycle case as an example, if the defendant’s brother stored the motorcycle in the defendant’s shed without the defendant’s knowledge, there may be some grounds for denying receipt. Unfortunately, proving the lack of knowledge or permission for receipt is a difficult task.

Knowledge

The next step for the prosecution is proving the defendant had knowledge that the property was stolen. This is where a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney can mount a strong attack on the prosecution’s case. The State must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knew the property was stolen at the time of receipt.

Over time the laws evolved to allow the prosecution more leeway in proving knowledge. Beyond direct knowledge, the State can prove either indirect or circumstantial knowledge. Indirect knowledge may occur if a third party informed the defendant that the property was stolen before the defendant took possession. This could be a friend with information about the crime, a news story, information from the property owner, or any other source of information readily available to the defendant. Circumstantial knowledge is proven when the State can show the defendant should have had a reason to believe the property was stolen. For instance, if the defendant’s brother had a history of motorcycle theft, and brought a new motorcycle to the defendant’s home, the State can claim the defendant should have had a suspicion the motorcycle was stolen.

The knowledge test also involves the use of “stolen property indicators”. The most common indicator is the destruction of a product’s serial number or prior registration of the property by another party. If the State can prove the defendant ignored the warning signs, a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney will have to show the reasons why the defendant was unaware of the signs.

Intent To Deprive

Finally, the State must show that the defendant intended to keep possession of the property. At this stage, a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney can argue the defendant was eager to return the property once it was discovered the property was stolen. For this reason, proving intent is very difficult, and offers a solid foundation for a defense.

The State’s case becomes stronger if the defendant made a move to keep or sell the property after knowing it was stolen. In that case, it is clear the defendant intended to keep or profit from the property. The State can even upgrade the charges to include the sale or attempt to sell stolen goods.

Punishments

Minnesota uses a tiered system for the punishment of theft related crimes.

  • Property in excess of $35,000 or theft of a firearm: Up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine
  • Property in excess of $5000 or the theft of trade secrets, explosives or Schedule I or II controlled substances: Up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine
  • Property in excess of $1000 or theft of a Schedule III or IV controlled substance: Up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Repeated convictions of petty theft can increase the punishment to this level.
  • Property in excess of $500: Up to one year in jail and/or a $3000 fine
  • Property up to $500: Up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1000 fine

The property owner can also pursue punitive damages for possessing the property that include fees of $50 or the full value of the property, whichever is greater.

Minnesota’s property laws protect the rights of property owners and enforce severe penalties for anyone involved in the crime. A Minneapolis criminal defense attorney will be necessary to protect the rights of the accused.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

The Surprising Cost of a Guilty Criminal Plea in Minnesota

Defendants in Minnesota may plead guilty or accept deals without understanding the hidden cost of a guilty criminal plea. A guilty criminal plea, regardless of how appealing it appears, can leave you dealing with substantial lifelong consequences. You may skip lengthy trial proceedings and likely get a lenient sentence, but end up with a criminal record. The record can lead to various financial and collateral consequences, including difficulty in securing employment, loss of housing rights, license revocation, and immigration issues.

What You Can Expect at a Pre-Trial Motions Hearing in Minnesota

The pre-trial motions hearing is a court session you attend after your first arraignment. At the hearing, the prosecution and defense appear before a judge to clear several details about the case before trial. These details include pre-trial motions, evidentiary queries, and constitutional matters.

Refusing Arrest vs. Resisting Arrest in Minnesota: What’s the Difference?

Highly publicized incidents of police using excessive force over the past few years have led to people wondering, “What’s the difference between refusing arrest vs. resisting arrest?” Resisting arrest in Minnesota occurs when you use force to prevent a police officer from making a lawful arrest. Refusing an arrest, on the other hand, involves statements or actions that show reluctance to cooperate with an officer’s instructions without using force.