Acquittal of most serious charge in the middle of trial (Rule 20 acquittal)

March 1, 2018

Result = Rule 20 acquittal during trial on most serious charge.

Client charged with several criminal charges including failure to provide ID to law enforcement and trespass. At trial, after close of state’s case-in-chief, on motion of defense counsel – most serious charge resulted in acquittal before defense’s case-in-chief. A rare result, as in the middle of trial, after the state’s case-in-chief, under Rule 20, all evidence is supposed to be viewed in the light most favorable to the state. An uncommon win on the most serious charge in the trial.