If I’m Charged with Theft or Fraud in Minnesota and I’m Guilty, Can a Lawyer Help?
Theft and fraud crimes can have a huge impact upon your life because they frequently center around honesty. Because of that, some see this as a direct reflection of your character. As a result, it can impact every corner of your life including jogs, careers, relationships, showing and more. However, what happens if you did it? What do you do now? Is there any real reason to hire a lawyer or do you just plead and hope for the best? After decades in the system on both sides of the aisle as both prosecutor and defense attorney, I can say unequivocally, simply admitting and pleading guilty immediately is frequently the worst thing that you can do. Of course, even if you are guilty, is simply going to jail, to prison, the best thing for you, for your family? Remember, the State has the burden to prove you committed any crime and they can’t compel you to admit anything. If you are charged with theft or fraud in Minnesota, even if you did it, sit down with an Experience Fraud Crimes Defense Attorney in Minnesota and Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist to learn consider your next steps.
“If you get labeled thief, it can change everything. Finding a way to avoid that mean everything.”
How do Plea Agreements Work?
When prosecutors are deciding how to handle any case, they consider the strength of their case and the likelihood of a conviction of the most serious charges possible. If a person is representing themselves, the likelihood of them defending themselves or negotiating a more positive outcome can go down substantially. Hiring a lawyer may be the most important decision you can make, especially if you did it. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help guide you in so many ways. They can assess the quality of the State’s case. At the same time, even if you did it, they may have the ability to negotiate from a position of strength with the prosecution to seek a far more favorable outcome than if you walked into the courtroom and admitted.
What if the State Can’t Prove their Case?
Remember, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a theft or fraud crime. Even more, they have to do everything right as part of the investigation. In fact, if they fail to do this, an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney may be able to suppress evidence which means that the State may have to dismiss or it may severely weaken the State’s ability to prosecute. This is all true regardless of whether you did it or not. At the same time, even if it is not a question of dismissal, it is the long term impact that certain convictions can have on your life that must be considered. As you can see, this is a perfect example of why you want an experienced Minnesota criminal defense lawyer by your side even if you are guilty of the crime.
“If the police make a mistake, even if you did it, it still may be possible to get your case dismissed.”
If you are facing serious fraud or theft charges in Minnesota, consulting with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney may be the best decision you’ll ever make. This may be even more true if you did the thing the police and prosecutor claim you did. You can learn about your rights, the burden the State must meet, consider the impact upon your life and family and then consider the next steps. What also helps is to have an experienced criminal defense attorney buy your side who has been here before and knows exactly what may be coming at you.
Go with the Best
Jack Rice is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, former CIA Officer, and former prosecuting attorney. He is also the Founder of Jack Rice Defense, a boutique criminal defense firm based in St. Paul, MN. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.