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Murder A Law Firm with a Winning Tradition

Murder Charge Defense Lawyer St. Paul 

Legal Counsel for Murder Cases in Dakota County and Washington County 

Murder is one of the most serious crimes you can be accused of. The charge alone has the potential to affect your reputation and relationships. If you're convicted, you could face decades to life in prison, putting further strains upon your life and presenting various hurdles and challenges upon your release from incarceration. Proceeding through a murder case can be stressful and painful. Adding to that is the fact that the criminal justice system is complex, and fighting to protect your rights and freedoms may be difficult for you to take on alone. You do have the right to have an attorney represent you, and exercising this right is important. With skilled legal help on your side, you can work toward a favorable outcome.

At Rogosheske, Rogosheske & Atkins, PLLC, we firmly believe in the presumption of innocence. Our St. Paul murder attorneys know that there are two sides to every story, and we're here to listen to your account of the case. Additionally, we'll thoroughly investigate, conduct interviews, review all pertinent evidence, and carry out all necessary steps to spot holes in and cast doubt on the State's allegations. Backed by over 80 years of experience, that involves handling tens of thousands of cases and hundreds of jury trials, we know what it takes to present an effective defense. We'll provide aggressive representation every step of the way.

Our St. Paul murder lawyers are available and accessible and will respond promptly to your calls. Contact us at (651) 413-9004
 today.

Three Degrees of Murder in MN

In Minnesota, a person accused of taking another's life may be charged with first-, second-, or third-degree murder. The degree to which the person faces depends upon the facts of the case.

Minnesota First-Degree Murder

This is the most serious murder offense. It is committed when a person:

  • Plans and intends to cause the death of another;
  • Causes someone else's death during the commission or attempted commission of first- or second-degree criminal sexual conduct;
  • Causes another's death during the commission or attempted commission of a:
  • Burglary
  • Aggravated robbery
  • Kidnapping
  • First- or second-degree arson
  • Drive-by shooting
  • First-degree tampering with a witness
  • Escape from custody
  • Felony drug crime
  • Takes the life of a police officer, prosecutor, judge, or correctional facility guard;
  • Causes the death of a minor during a child abuse offense;
  • Causes the death of another during a domestic abuse offense; or
  • Causes the death of another during a felony terroristic crime;

First-degree murder is punishable by life in prison.

Minnesota Second Degree Murder

A person may be accused of committing second-degree murder if they:

  • Without planning but with intent, cause someone else's death; or
  • Cause the death of another during a drive-by shooting

The charge may also be levied if someone causes the death of another without intent while:

  • Committing or attempting to commit a felony that does not involve criminal sexual conduct
  • Causing or attempting to cause bodily harm on another when the alleged actor has an order for protection issued in their name and the alleged victim is the person protected by that order

A conviction for second-degree murder is penalized by up to 40 years in prison.

Minnesota Third-degree Murder

A person may be charged with third-degree murder if they cause the death of another by engaging in dangerous behavior that evinces a depraved mind and shows disregard for the lives of others. This offense is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Third-degree murder may also be charged when a person, without intending to, causes someone else's death by being directly or indirectly part of a drug crime involving a Schedule I or II controlled substance. The conviction penalties include imprisonment for up to 25 years and/or a fine of up to $40,000.

Contact Our Firm for Results-Driven Defense 

If you’ve been charged with murder, reach out to Rogosheske, Rogosheske & Atkins, PLLC immediately. Building a sound legal strategy requires thorough preparation, and our St. Paul murder attorneys will get started on your case right away.

We’ll leverage all available resources to seek a favorable outcome for you. Schedule your confidential consultation by calling our St. Paul murder lawyers at (651) 413-9004 or submitting an online contact form.

What Sets Us Apart

Our team of skilled and understanding professionals proudly provides comprehensive and efficient services for all Clients.

  • Serving St. Paul Since 1948
  • Over 50 Years of Collective Experience
  • Tens of Thousands of People Helped
  • Hundreds of Jury Trials Handled
  • Highly Involved in the Local Legal Community
  • Prepare Every Case for Trial

Talk to Our Team Today

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  • “Unwavering dedication and commitment”
    I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for all that Ryan has done to help me not only to win a case but also help me understand the justice system. His unwavering dedication and commitment to my defense have made a profound difference/impact in my life. Throughout the entire process, Ryan was always available to answer my questions and address any concerns I had, no matter how small. His patience and clarity in explaining the intricacies of the justice system in a way that made the most sense to me helped ease my anxiety and kept me informed every step of the way. In addition to keeping me in the loop, he was also very very honest about everything in and of the process. What truly stood out to me was how far he went to find the evidence we needed. He is very determined and his diligence proved to be the key to our success. He was also very professional, and compassionate about his work and finding a solution best suited for our case. I will forever be thankful for the way that he stood by me during such a challenging time. My family and I are beyond grateful for the help and kind gesture he showed us. Thank you again, Ryan, for your remarkable efforts. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had you by my side.
    - Rose Z.
  • “Highly Recommend”
    Ryan was very helpful with my case. Ended with an outcome better than expected. Highly recommend.
    - Diego H.
  • “Without hesitation, I recommend him; he was exactly the lawyer I needed.”
    I asked Alex to represent me because of his knowledge of the Dakota County courts and familiarity with the city prosecutor. Using some photos/videos of the accident scene and the fact that I had been charged under the wrong statute, he prepared a presentation to the prosecutor requesting that the charges be dismissed. The prosecutor agreed the case was weak and offered a continuation for dismissal (CFD). It was a very reasonable and long-awaited outcome and ultimately removed from my record. Alex is very patient and great at answering questions. Without hesitation, I recommend him; he was exactly the lawyer I needed.
    - Martha T.
  • “He once again delived an outstanding performance”
    A couple years ago, our experience working with Ryan Grove left us impressed by his dedication and the positive results, successfully stopping a serious allegation from turning into a charge. Upon recently reaching out to Ryan again, he once again delived an outstanding performance. This time, he skillfully managed to have a charge dropped just as we were preparing for jury. Our entire family confidently recommends Ryan to anyone in need of a dedicated and trustworthy attorney. We trusted Ryan with matters that could have drastically affected our lives and we could not be happier with his guidance and outcome.
    - Ericka R