This past month, attorney John Arechigo of Arechigo & Stokka, P.A. successfully had threats of violence charges against a client dropped by the prosecution. The client, a 21-year-old female college student, was accused of making threats directed at classmates in October 2019. Two students in one of the client’s classes reported that she allegedly stated that she was so frustrated with their lecture that she could shoot up the school.
After they brought a complaint to school administrators, police were called and arrested Arechigo’s client at her home. She was jailed until her bail hearing, where the state sought a $75,000 bail. Attorney Arechigo secured her release without bail.
According to Section 609.713 of the Minnesota Statutes, in order to charge someone with a threat of violence, the state must prove that the defendant carried an intent to commit an act of violence. During the defense, Arechigo and the client were able to convince the prosecutor that the client’s statements did not rise to an actual, specific threat but were a result of passing frustration. As a result, the prosecutor dismissed the case prior to trial.
The dismissal of this case is a tremendous relief for Arechigo’s client and her family. As a result of this charge, the client was forced to leave the school she was attending and was unable to continue in her education. Since the charge was dropped, the client’s educational future is no longer at risk. Arechigo is now pursuing a full expungement of his client’s records.
Congratulations to attorney John Arechigo for the successful defense of his client!
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