How Can the Feds Charge Somebody When They Have Already Been Charged in State Court?

Derek Chauvin was charged and ultimately convicted in a Hennepin County District Court. He was then charged in Federal Court. How is that possible? Isn’t there something called double jeopardy? His three co-defendants have also been charged in both State and Federal Court. Again, how is this possible? Well, it’s all in the charging as well as jurisdiction.

Today, Derek Chauvin's 3 Police colleagues began their Federal trials in St. Paul for failing to protect George Floyd's civil rights which resulted in his death in May of 2020. While it is rare to be charged in both State and Federal Court, the charges are actually different. In State Court, they have been charged with aiding and abetting murder while in Federal Court, they are being charged with violating George Floyd’s Constitutional rights. While the actions that caused both are the same, the violations are different.

I will appear on The WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawker at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, January 25th to talk about the charges, the jury, the openings and more. Hope you can catch it.

If you are charged with a crime in St. Paul or anywhere in Minnesota, it is important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side. Jack Rice received the Professional Excellence Award, is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, is a former Prosecutor and was just named the Minnesota Attorney of the Year. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447—7650 or 612-227-1339.