State v. T.J.

Case:

State v. T.G.

Charges:

Second Degree Assault with a Firearm in Ramsey County

Outcome:

Not Guilty on All Charges

TG contacted our office after being charged with Second Degree Assault with a Firearm in Ramsey County, Minnesota. This charge comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years prison if convicted, so she was very concerned. This situation arose out of a domestic dispute. Upon hearing her story, I immediately advised TG that I believed we could win her case at trial. As the evidence came in, it was clear how thin the evidence against her actually was. We conducted our own investigation and gathered evidence of violence and dishonesty on the part of the alleged victim.

The prosecutor refused to dismiss the case. TG was courageous enough to stand up for herself and take her case to trial. At trial, it became apparent that my client was the true victim in the relationship. At the end of a week-long trial, we submitted the case to the jury.  The jury took one vote and immediately returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

This is a good lesson for those facing domestic assault and assault related charges. In many of these cases, all the prosecutor has to rely on is the alleged victim’s statement. That should never amount to proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In these situations, stand up for yourself and don’t be intimidated by the state.