St. Paul natives acquitted of Craigslist theft charges

As we have mentioned previously in this blog, for someone in St. Paul to be convicted of a crime, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual did what he or she was charged with doing. If the prosecutor can’t prove this, then the jury must acquit the defendant of the charges. If it is clear that the prosecutor doesn’t have any evidence or not nearly enough evidence, the prosecutor may drop the charges altogether.

A 33-year-old St. Paul native who was originally charged with aggravated robbery had the charges dropped just under two weeks after a co-defendant facing the same charges was acquitted by a jury. It seems that after prosecutors realized their lack of evidence would likely lead to another acquittal they chose to drop the charges. It is unclear why the prosecutors would bring the charges against the two men in the first place, as there was very little evidence connecting the men to the apparent robbery.

Prosecutors alleged that the 33 year old and his 37-year-old co-defendant had met a man in St. Paul who was trying to sell his laptop. The man had put his laptop on Craigslist and agreed to meet the former defendants in the parking lot of a Burger King, when he said the man used a stun gun to disable him and steal his computer, wallet and phone. Prosecutors say the men then drove away.

Police responded to the apparent robbery and caught up with the men’s vehicle. When they searched the vehicle, however, they were not able to find any stolen property. As the police were quite quick to respond, the lack of evidence made it highly unlikely that the former defendants were the ones responsible for the robbery.

Theft charges can be difficult to defend, but without sufficient evidence, a criminal defense lawyer can help to clear wrongfully charged individuals’ names.

Source: Pioneer Press, “Charges dropped in St. Paul robbery linked to Craigslist,” Emily Gurnon, April 10, 2013

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

How a DWI Affects CDL Holders in Minnesota

Commercial motor vehicle drivers arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) may need to know how a DWI affects CDL holders in Minnesota. You will lose your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for at least a year if you are convicted of DWI for the first time, and forever after a second conviction. The consequences go beyond the immediate legal implications of a DWI conviction. A CDL suspension or revocation will lead to job loss, difficulty finding employment, and serious financial challenges.

How a DWI Affects Rideshare Drivers in Minnesota

Knowing how a DWI affects rideshare drivers in Minnesota allows you to take the right steps to protect your license and livelihood. A DWI conviction will lead to suspension or cancellation of your driver’s license. Once you lose your license, you will be ineligible for a work permit required to work for rideshare companies as a driver. You may also face jail time, fines, or ignition interlock device (IID) installation, depending on the seriousness and number of related offenses on your record.

Can Police Search Your Phone Without a Warrant in Minnesota?

People under criminal investigation or whose phones have been seized by law enforcement officers may ask, “Can police search your phone without a warrant in Minnesota?” It’s illegal for police to search your phone without a warrant. However, there are exceptions to the warrant requirement. These exceptions include when you consent to the search, someone’s life is in danger, or there is an immediate risk of evidence destruction.