Former Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, was convicted of two felony burglary charges by a Becker County jury on July 18. Minnesota law allows for a judge to reduce Mitchell's convictions at the time of sentencing, according to court documents. According to court documents, a felony charge is akin to a "scarlet letter," publicly identifying someone as a criminal. According to court documents, Mitchell's attorney argues her offense is not as serious as other burglaries. ADVERTISEMENT"The only reason Nicole is facing a six-month jail sentence is because Minnesota law, as it’s been interpreted by the Minnesota Court of Appeals, requires it," court documents said.