There are a wide variety of crimes in Minnesota. If you are being charged with a crime, you know that understanding the different potential outcomes is important to help you plan for the future. Depending on the type of crime, you could be facing a sentence of jail for many years, a hefty fine, or both. Making sure you have a good grasp on what could happen if you are convicted is an important step in not only planning your future, but also planning your defense.
There are four different types of criminal sentences that could happen to you if you are convicted in Minnesota. The outcome that is most familiar to people is the executed sentence. With this type of outcome, you will end up actually serving your sentence. The length of your sentence will depend on the severity of the crime of which you are convicted. For a misdemeanor, you may have to serve between 90 or 365 days, depending on what type of misdemeanor. In addition, you are given credit if you follow the rules while in jail, so it is possible to reduce your sentence. Felony executed sentences and the length of time you will spend in jail depends on a larger variety of facts, including your past criminal history. After serving two thirds of your sentence, you may be eligible for supervised release, which is essentially parole. If you abide by the conditions of your supervised release, you will be able to stay out of jail. Conversely, if you violate the conditions, you may be sent back to prison to serve out the remainder of your sentence.
The stay of execution is also possible in Minnesota. With a stay of execution, you do not have to immediately go to jail, but you will be put on probation. Like with supervised release, you will have to abide by the conditions of your probation. If you fail to do so, the state can file a motion to revoke the stay and you will have to serve your sentence in prison. Common conditions of stay of execution are attending drug treatment, community service, and restitution.
Stay of imposition is the next possibility. With a stay of imposition, you will have certain conditions of probation. If you successfully complete those conditions, you may be able to have the ultimate severity of the charge reduced. If you do not comply with the conditions of your stay of imposition, the court may modify it to a stay of imposition or in severe cases, may actually require you to serve your sentence.
Finally, the most favorable potential outcome is a stay of adjudication. With a stay of adjudication, it is possible for you to escape having the conviction on your record at all. The court will wait to put the adjudication of guilt on your record and allow you the opportunity to complete terms of probation. If you do complete all of the conditions, the charge will be dismissed and you will not have the conviction of your criminal record.
If you have questions about the potential outcome if you are convicted of a crime, call us today at 651-413-9568. We can talk with you about your case and your future.
