By Mollee Francisco 

Smiles, hugs and tears rained outside of Carver County Courtroom No. 2 Monday afternoon as former Chaska High School teacher Julia Lund was found not guilty of sexual misconduct.

Lund was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct last December after a student reported an alleged inappropriate relationship between the two.

Following Monday morning's closing statements, it took less than two hours for the jury of 12 to come back its verdict of not guilty.

"She's overwhelmed," said her attorney Robert Sicoli of her reaction to the verdict.

"We feel justified," he added. "My client is very, very relieved."

What's next for Lund is still to be decided, however.

"She hasn't really thought about where she's going now," said Sicoli. "Obviously, she's not working at Chaska High School anymore."