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Minnesota Assault Law

Minnesota Assault Defense

What you're facing under Minn. Stat. § 609.224, how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Minnesota (MN) law.

Offense Class

Misdemeanor; Gross Misdemeanor (if prior conviction or motivated by bias)

Maximum Penalty

90 days (misdemeanor); 1 year (gross misdemeanor)

Maximum Fine

$1,000 (misdemeanor); $3,000 (gross misdemeanor)

Penalty Range in Minnesota

StatuteMinn. Stat. § 609.224 — Assault in the Fifth Degree
Minimum Penalty
Maximum Penalty90 days (misdemeanor); 1 year (gross misdemeanor)
Maximum Fine$1,000 (misdemeanor); $3,000 (gross misdemeanor)

Charge Enhancements

These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Minnesota:

  • Prior conviction within two years (gross misdemeanor)
  • Bias-motivated crime
  • Victim is a vulnerable adult

Minnesota-Specific Detail

Fifth-degree assault is the lowest-level assault offense in Minnesota. Does not require actual injury.

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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Minnesota assault possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.