Minneapolis Murder & Homicide Lawyer

Four Decades of Criminal Trial Experience. Built for the Most Serious Charges in Minnesota.

A murder charge in Minnesota carries consequences that can define the rest of a person’s life. A conviction can mean mandatory life in prison, permanent damage to reputation, and the collapse of everything a person has built. If you or someone you care about is facing a murder or homicide charge in Minneapolis, the attorney you choose matters more than in almost any other situation you can ever encounter.

Meshbesher & Student, P.A. defends clients charged with murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide throughout Minneapolis and Minnesota. The strength of the defense built in the earliest days after an arrest can affect whether evidence is suppressed, whether charges are reduced, and whether a case goes to trial. Hennepin County District Court handles serious felony homicide proceedings in Minneapolis, and our attorneys know what it takes to defend these cases at every stage.

Call us at (612) 200-1526 for a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Why Minneapolis Clients Choose Meshbesher & Student, P.A. for Murder Defense

Not every law firm is built on criminal defense. Ours is. Steven J. Meshbesher trained under Ron Meshbesher before founding the firm in 1997, and criminal defense has been its foundation ever since. Steven has practiced law since being admitted to the Minnesota Bar in 1981, bringing over four decades of experience in Minnesota courts to every case we handle.

Credentials & Court Admissions

Steven holds a Certified Trial Specialist credential from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Minnesota State, a designation that reflects a demonstrated record of courtroom performance, not just years in practice. We’re admitted to practice in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court, which means we’re equipped to handle both state and federal homicide matters. We’re also members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota.

How We Prepare Murder Cases

Murder defense demands thorough pre-trial preparation: evidence review, witness investigation, expert coordination, and aggressive motion practice to challenge the admissibility of evidence. The prosecution brings its most intensive investigative resources to homicide charges, including DNA analysis and forensic evidence. We match that preparation on our side of the table. When going to trial is what the best outcome may require, we go to trial. Client testimonials on our website describe outcomes including full case dismissals in criminal matters, though every case is different and no specific result can be promised.

Degrees of Murder Under Minnesota Law

Minnesota law defines three degrees of murder, each with distinct elements and different sentencing exposure. Understanding which charge applies, and why, is the first step in building a defense.

First-Degree Murder
First-degree murder requires premeditation and intent, meaning the death was planned in advance. It also applies when death occurs during criminal sexual conduct; when death results from a felony such as burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, or arson; when the victim is a peace officer, prosecuting attorney, judge, or correctional facility guard on duty; when a minor dies as a result of child abuse by an offender with a history of abuse; or when domestic abuse causes death where the offender has a prior pattern of abuse. A conviction can carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Second-Degree Murder
Second-degree murder is charged when there was intent to kill but no premeditation, or when death occurred unintentionally during the commission of a felony. A conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to 40 years.

Third-Degree Murder
Third-degree murder applies when a person causes death by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life. It also applies when administering or providing a controlled substance results in a death. A conviction can carry a maximum 25-year prison sentence.

Manslaughter Charges in Minnesota

Manslaughter charges carry significant prison exposure and lasting consequences. The distinction between first and second degree turns on the circumstances that led to the death.

First-degree manslaughter under Minnesota law is charged when death results from an act committed in the heat of passion, provoked by the victim’s words or conduct. It may also apply when death occurs during the commission of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offense. Second-degree manslaughter is charged when a person’s culpable negligence causes the death of another. Examples include negligent discharge of a firearm and failure to restrain a dangerous animal. In either case, the specific facts surrounding the event shape both the charge and the available defenses, which is why a thorough factual investigation matters from day one.

Criminal Vehicular Homicide in Minneapolis

Criminal vehicular homicide in Minnesota is charged when a person causes the death of another while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or through other acts of negligence. The absence of negligence is a key factor in whether the charge applies at all. Vehicular homicide charges frequently accompany DWI charges, and a conviction can result in up to 10 years in prison. A related charge, criminal vehicular operation, applies when serious injury rather than death results from similar conduct.

These cases often turn on the quality of the investigation that follows the incident. Accident reconstruction, toxicology evidence, and witness accounts all play a role. Early attorney involvement can shape what evidence is preserved, what can be challenged, and how the case is ultimately positioned.

Facing a Murder Charge? Contact Our Team Now.

Time is critical after a homicide charge. Early involvement by a murder attorney in Minneapolis can affect evidence preservation, suppression motions, and the entire trajectory of the case. Anyone suspected of or charged with murder has the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent during police questioning. Don’t waive those rights before speaking with us.

Meshbesher & Student, P.A. is prepared to review the evidence, assert your rights, build a defense, and take the case to trial when that’s what your situation requires. Our attorneys have been defending clients against the most serious criminal charges in Minnesota for over four decades.

Call us at (612) 200-1526 for a free consultation. Don’t wait to get a murder criminal defense lawyer in Minneapolis on your side.