A felony in the State of Minnesota is a criminal offense for which a sentence may be imposed of one year or more.
Felony Sentencing and Convictions in Minnesota
The State of Minnesota does not classify its felony offenses by Classes such as A, B, C, etc. Rather, the criminal code specifies each felony and provides its sentence in the particular provision. The following provides a sample of several felony offenses and the sentence associated with the crime.
- Murder in the first degree - imprisonment for life
- Murder in the second degree - imprisonment to 40 years and the payment of a fine up to $30,000.00
- Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree - 30 to 40 years in prison and the payment of a fine of not more than $30,000.00
- Drug Crimes - up to 30 years in prison and the payment of a fine up to $30,000.00 depending upon the circumstances
- Aggravated robbery in the first degree - 20 years and the payment of a fine not more than $35,000.00
- Assault in the first degree - 20 years and the payment of fine of not more than $30,000.00
- DUI- up to 20 years imprisonment depending upon the circumstances (repeat offender, injury/fatality, etc.) and the payment of a fine up to $30,000.00
- Theft- up to 20 years imprisonment depending upon the circumstances and the payment of a fine up to $30,000.00
- Robbery - up to 20 years imprisonment and the payment of a fine up to $30,000.00
- Manslaughter in the first degree - 15 years imprisonment and the payment of a fine of not more than $30,000.00
Minnesota Felony Records and Expungement
The State of Minnesota may, in very limited cases, grant an application for a felony conviction for expungement of records. However, this is an application which is subject to the discretion of the court so there is no guarantee that the application will be granted. Moreover, certain felony crimes are never subject to expungement, including murder, aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated and sex offender crimes.
Statute of Limitations for Felonies
The following are the statute of limitations in the State of Minnesota for the filing of a criminal prosecution of a felony.
- No limitation: murder
- 9 years: familial sexual abuse
- 6 years: bribery, theft, fraud involving medical assistance
- 5 years: theft value over $35,000.00, environmental offenses
- 3 years: other felonies
View all Criminal Statutes in Minnesota.
Help from a Lawyer in Minnesota for Felony Charges
An experienced criminal defense attorney can not only evaluate one’s case in order to determine what options one may have in the matter, but also the attorney can assist one in making important determinations in preparing one’s defense. In addition, the attorney can help to preserve any rights you may have, as well as help to obtain the most advantageous result under the circumstances.
