Charles Gerlach - St. Paul, MN
Attorney at Gerlach Law
Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Paul, MN
127 E County Rd C Suite 4 St. Paul, MN 55117
- Free Consultation
St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 03/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense 90%
- Orders for Protection 5%
- Trial Advocacy Training 5%
Litigation: 100%
Attorney Information
Overview
Former prosecutor with over 25 years of experience
Charles graduated with honors (magna cum laude) from William Mitchell College of Law in 1998. He has been a criminal trial lawyer ever since. Charles is an experienced criminal lawyer serving greater Minnesota and the metro area. He brings 25 years of experience as a criminal prosecutor into the courtroom. Charles knows how prosecutors think, their goals and strategies, what they intend to do, and how they will attempt to do it. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. Charles’ experience as a veteran prosecutor gives his clients the advantage and helps obtain favorable results. Charles tried cases in Hennepin and Stearns Counties. He has tried approximately 120 jury trials to completion and negotiated resolutions in thousands of others. He is an expert criminal litigator, having tried numerous murders, aggravated assaults, domestic violence crimes, vulnerable adult crimes, sexual assaults, child abuse cases, and weapons crimes. Charles also has a decade of experience as a juvenile delinquency prosecutor. Charles is experienced in all offense levels and is familiar with juvenile delinquency and disposition procedures, including extended jurisdiction juvenile and adult certification matters. Charles has extensive background working with the courts, probation officers, and social workers in crafting just juvenile dispositions. He can help your child navigate the complex rules of Juvenile Court.
Education
-
Legal Education
-
William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1998
J.D.
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: With Honors
-
William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1998
-
Non Legal Education
-
Wayne State University,
Detroit,
Michigan, 1992
B.S.
Major: International Relations
-
Wayne State University,
Detroit,
Michigan, 1992
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Owner and Sole Proprietor of Gerlach Law
Past Positions
- Stearns County Attorney's Office, Senior Assistant Attorney, 2019 - 2023
- Hennepin County Attorney's Office, Assistant County Attorney, 1998 - 2019
Classes and Seminars
-
Trial Advocacy--Case Analysis/Opening, MCAA, 2016 - Present
-
Trial Advocacy--Cross Examination, MCAA, 2016 - Present
-
Forensic Interviewing, Stearns County Attorney, 2022
-
Trial Advocacy, NDAA, 2016
- Cross Examination, NDAA, 2016
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1998
Other Affiliations
- Minnesota Sex Crimes Investigators Association (Advisory Board Member)
Fraternities and Sororities
- Theta Chi
Contact
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.