Charged with a Crime?
I'm Your FIRST Call.
I am attorney Charles Gerlach. As a former prosecutor and law school professor, I leverage over 25 years of experience against my deep knowledge of the Minnesota law and its legal system to provide top-notch criminal defense. To ensure your rights are being protected, contact my St. Paul office for a free consultation.
I am attorney Charles Gerlach. As a former prosecutor and law school professor, I leverage over 25 years of experience against my deep knowledge of the Minnesota law and its legal system to provide top-notch criminal defense. To ensure your rights are being protected, contact my St. Paul office for a free consultation.
How We Help People in Minnesota
Meet Defense Attorney Charles Gerlach
Former District Attorney With Over 25 Years Experience
I spent more than two decades as a criminal prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. As a prosecutor, I completed over 100 jury trials to completion and negotiated resolutions in thousands of other cases. This courtroom experience allows me to understand how prosecutors think. I know their strengths and weaknesses, their goals and the courtroom strategies they are likely to use. As my client, you will get the advantage of my experience litigating a range of cases from violent crimes to weapons charges and juvenile crimes.
Your First Consultation Is Free
And Confidential
Facing criminal charges is overwhelming.
You don’t have to figure out your next move alone.
When you’re under investigation or facing charges, every day matters. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so you can talk through your situation with an experienced defense attorney before deciding how to move forward. There’s no pressure and no cost to get honest answers about what you’re facing and what your options look like.
- A direct conversation about the charges or situation you're dealing with
- Clear answers about possible outcomes, timelines, and next steps
- An honest assessment of how we can help — no scare tactics, no upsell
- Complete confidentiality, whether or not you decide to hire us
Available by phone, video, or in person. Most calls are returned same-day.
Juvenile Charges
Do You Need a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney?
What are my options? What should I do next?
Fear and uncertainty can make it difficult to process information and make sound decisions. My first responsibility is to reduce that burden by clearly explaining the charges, the possible consequences and the defenses available to you.
You can count on me to:
- Answer your questions honestly
- Help you make informed decisions
- Protect your rights from the moment I become involved
My job is to bring clarity to an overwhelming situation and stand between you and the power of the government—as both your adviser and your defender.
Taking Pride In Representing Mental Health And LGBTQI+ Criminal Defense
I have experience and a passion for working with people in the LGBTQI+ community. I also work with people who suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other diagnoses affecting clients’ abilities to function comfortably in society. I bring compassionate representation to seek the best resolution possible.
If you are facing criminal charges, email me or call me at 952-952-9723 to set up a free initial consultation.
Trial Advocacy For Attorneys – Consulting And Training For Your Law Firm
I have extensive experience as a trainer and trial advocacy presenter and can bring the important concepts of adult learning to your firm’s leadership team. My experience as a college professor and decades as a prosecutor have given me great insights into case analysis, preparation, planning and opening statements. I provide training in cross-examination, including cross-examination of experts, how to design a direct examination, and closing arguments.
I have taught trial advocacy for over 15 years. I inaugurated the Minnesota County Attorneys Association’s Trial Advocacy Course and taught for the MCAA for over a decade. In addition, I taught trial advocacy with the National District Attorneys Association and Mitchell Hamline School of Law. I am also an advisory board member of the Minnesota Sex Crimes Investigators Association
The National District Attorneys Association in Columbia, South Carolina, trained me as a faculty member. I am also in the process of earning a Professional Train the Trainer Certificate from the University of Minnesota.
Combining Decades Of Experience With A Compassionate Approach To Deliver High Quality Service And Positive Results
