Edina Theft Lawyer

Edina Theft Attorney

Being charged with theft can be life-altering, with potential permanent marks on your record or jail time. Maybe you’re accused of shoplifting from Galleria Edina or Southdale Center. Perhaps you’re faced with allegations of property theft in an Edina neighborhood. Any situation like this can be overwhelming, and it’s hard to know what to do next. Having an Edina theft lawyer can improve the outcome of your theft case.

Experienced Theft Attorney in Edina, MN

Ronnie Santana of Santana Law PLLC has extensive legal experience as both a prosecutor and an Edina criminal defense attorney.

This dual background allows him to see cases from all angles, anticipate how charges will be pursued, and identify legal strategies that protect his clients in the Hennepin County Courthouse. Santana Law PLLC offers initial consultations to those needing legal help in theft cases.

As a bilingual and bicultural attorney, Mr. Santana is proud to serve the Latino community throughout the Twin Cities. He understands the cultural and linguistic barriers that can affect a person’s experience with the legal system. His Spanish fluency and lived experience allow him to offer legal representation that is both culturally informed and legally effective.

Edina Theft Laws

In Minnesota, theft happens when someone intentionally and without permission takes, uses, transfers, hides, or keeps movable property that belongs to someone else. The goal of this act is to permanently keep it away from the owner.

Theft is a common charge in Minnesota, with 99,722 reported offenses related to various types of theft in 2023. Different examples of theft can include:

• Shoplifting
• Using a fake check
• Taking someone else’s property without permission and keeping it
• Renting property and not returning it
• Finding lost property and keeping it without trying to return it to the owner
• An employer not paying an employee all the wages owed

It is also theft if someone takes property away from someone who has a better right to possess it, intending to keep it from them. For example, if a person borrows a friend’s car with permission but then refuses to return it because they want to keep it for themselves, that is theft because the friend has the better right to possess the car.

The Severity of Different Types of Theft

In the United States, there were a reported 1,917 property crimes per 100,000 Americans in 2023. Each theft case is unique, and the legal consequences often depend on the value of the alleged stolen property and whether force, deception, or repeated conduct was involved. Examples of theft cases and penalties include the following:

• Stealing firearms or property worth over $35,000 can lead to up to 20 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both.
• Theft of property worth over $5,000 can lead to up to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.
• Theft of property valued between $1,000 and $5,000 or certain controlled substances can lead to up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
• If the stolen property is worth between $500 and $1,000 or special conditions apply, such as stealing from a person or public funds, the penalty can be up to 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
• Theft of property worth $500 or less is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
• If theft creates a reasonable risk of bodily harm, penalties increase. Misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors can become felonies punishable by up to three years in prison or a $5,000 fine.

Hire a Theft Lawyer

Mr. Santana’s broad legal background gives him the ability to advise clients with complex legal concerns, which often overlap with multiple areas of law. He handles every case personally. Clients who work with Santana Law PLLC speak directly with him, not a junior associate or staff member.

Mr. Santana understands how having a theft charge can impact all aspects of one’s life. He can provide transparent legal advice and expectations about your case in Edina, MN, and he gives his clients the empathy they deserve.

FAQs

Can I Be Charged With Theft in Edina If I Didn’t Leave the Store?

Yes. Theft includes taking, using, transferring, concealing, or retaining possession of another person’s property without permission and while intending to permanently deprive them of it. The law focuses on your intent and actions, not whether you exit the building. Concealing an item in a bag, under clothing, or otherwise hiding it inside a store may meet the legal definition of theft, even if you never walk past the cash register.

What Is Considered a Felony in a Theft Case in Minnesota?

Theft is charged as a felony when the value of the property or services stolen is more than $1,000. Even if the value is lower, theft may still be a felony if certain conditions apply, such as:

• The theft involves a firearm.
• The item was taken during a burglary.
• The property was taken directly from another person.

It’s important to hire a theft lawyer who can explain the variables involved in your case.

Does Theft Go on My Permanent Record in Edina?

A theft conviction in Edina, Minnesota will go on your permanent criminal record unless it is later expunged by a court. That means if you are found guilty of theft, even for a misdemeanor, it becomes part of your official criminal history. This information is kept in government databases and can be seen by employers, landlords, schools, and law enforcement during background checks. The seriousness of the theft can affect how the charge appears on your record.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is a process that allows a person to have their criminal records sealed from public view, making background checks easier for them. In Minnesota, the Clean Slate Act started in January 2025. Before this law, people had to ask a court to seal their records. Now, in many cases, this happens automatically. Expungement helps reduce the impact of a criminal record on your future.

Choose an Edina Law Firm You Can Trust

When facing allegations of theft, it’s vital to have an experienced lawyer to guide you through your case. Ronnie Santana of Santana Law PLLC represents clients in Edina and the surrounding areas, helping them feel confident during court proceedings. He offers initial consultations to all new clients and is ready to listen to them. Contact his office today to schedule your first meeting.