CHARLES CLAS SECURES JURY ACQUITTAL (“NOT GUILTY”) IN SECOND-DEGREE AGGRAVATED ROBBERY CASE (RAMSEY COUNTY/ST. PAUL)

In January 2022, Attorney Charles Clas’s client was charged in St. Paul, Minnesota (Ramsey County), with one count of aggravated robbery in the second degree and one count of simple robbery for an incident that took place at a local gas station one year prior. On May 22, 2023, Clas appeared in Ramsey County as jury trial proceedings began. Jury selection took place over the first two afternoons of trial. In the afternoon of May 24, 2023, the verdict was announced after approximately two hours of deliberation. Clas’s client was found NOT GUILTY on both counts.

Under Minnesota law, simple robbery involves the following elements: (1) a person took property from or in the presence of another person; (2) a person knew they were not entitled to the property; and (3) a person uses a threat of imminent force against the victim to compel acquiescence in the act of the taking or carrying away the property.

Aggravated robbery contains the same elements as simple robbery but with the following additional element: (4) a person implied, by word or act, possession of a dangerous weapon that is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

Both simple robbery and aggravated robbery are felonies in the State of Minnesota.