Edina Murder Defense Lawyer

Edina Murder Defense Attorney

A murder charge is one of the most serious charges a person can face. When you’re facing a murder charge in Minnesota, the details, the words, and the decisions you make can make all the difference in your future. An experienced Edina murder defense lawyer can help protect your rights from the moment you’re accused through the entire legal process.

About Santana Law, PLLC

As a founding attorney and former prosecutor, Ronnie Santana knows the fear and pressure you’re facing, and he has years of experience defending those accused of the most serious criminal charges under Minnesota law.

Founding attorney Ronnie Santana is a former prosecutor and defense lawyer. This experience gives him a unique insight into how prosecutors work. He understands how they weigh evidence, the arguments they base their cases on, and where they are vulnerable. This insight allows Santana to develop defense strategies based on accuracy and evidence, not emotion. Whether negotiating with prosecutors or arguing before a jury, Santana is credible and experienced.

Understanding Murder Defense Laws in Minnesota

The circumstances surrounding the death determine the degree of a murder charge under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609. The law distinguishes between different levels of intent, premeditation, and cause, even though every murder case is grave.

• First-degree murder. Intentional, premeditated killings or deaths that take place during certain felonies, like robbery, burglary, or sexual assault, are usually considered first-degree murder.
• Second-degree murder. A death that happens purposefully but without premeditation or during another felony offense is frequently considered second-degree murder.
• Third-degree murder. Even if the defendant did not intend to kill, third-degree murder may still involve careless or depraved mind behavior that results in death.

These distinctions are important because they have different sentencing ranges. Understanding your exact charge and its justification is essential when facing the prosecution’s accusations. An Edina murder defense lawyer can assess the prosecution’s theory and attack whether the purported facts meet the elements of a particular degree of murder as set forth in the statute.

Build a Strong Defense

In Minnesota in 2024, there were 170 offenses that involved murder. This marked a 6.07% decrease from 2023, when 181 offenses were recorded. In addition to legal knowledge, murder defense cases call for tact and empathy. These cases call for the experience and knowledge of an attorney. To build a strong defense, the following are often considered:

• Checking for discrepancies or constitutional violations in body camera footage, forensic findings, and police reports.
• Checking for bias, coercion, or unreliability in witness statements.
• Evaluating the veracity of scientific evidence by speaking with investigators, medical professionals, and forensic professionals.
• Recognizing any infringements on your rights, such as illegal interrogations or searches.

In Edina, most criminal cases are heard in the Hennepin County District Court. Cases from neighboring cities, like Bloomington or Richfield, are also prosecuted in this court. Understanding how judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies in your area handle these types of cases is critical to mounting a strong defense.

The Agencies Involved

The Twin Cities have numerous examples of homicide cases. Depending on where the crime occurred, multiple law enforcement agencies could be investigating, including the Bloomington Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

These agencies all have different policies and procedures, and an attorney familiar with them could identify instances where they weren’t followed, which could lead to suppressed evidence or even reduced charges.

Why Hire a Murder Defense Lawyer?

If you are under investigation for a homicide or if you have been arrested for one, it is important that you hire a murder defense lawyer as soon as you realize you are under suspicion. The earlier an attorney is retained, the better the protection from making statements that may later be used against you. An attorney may also begin preserving and collecting evidence before it is lost or misinterpreted.

Ronnie Santana’s experience as a former prosecutor provides him with a first-hand understanding of how homicide cases are investigated in Hennepin County and throughout Dakota County from the very beginning. He knows what information the investigators are looking for and how to develop a strategy to counter it. Even if you have not been charged, it is in your greatest interest to consult with an attorney right away.

FAQs

Can Deadly Force Be Used to Defend Property in Minnesota?

No, Minnesota does not allow the use of deadly force in the defense of property. Reasonable force may be used to prevent or terminate a trespass or theft under Minnesota statutes, but deadly force is justified only to prevent a felony or to resist imminent great bodily harm or death.

What Is the Statute 609.10 in Minnesota?

Minnesota Statute 609.10 lays out the sentences available to a court upon a felony conviction. It authorizes a judge to sentence an offender to imprisonment (a specified number of years or life), payment of a fine or restitution, or a combination of any of these penalties. The statute permits judges to order stayed sentences and intermediate sanctions.

Does Minnesota Have a Stand Your Ground Law?

No, Minnesota does not have a standalone stand your ground law. However, Minnesota courts generally recognize a duty to retreat from the scene when in a public place if it can be done safely, but no such duty to retreat from one’s home or dwelling, also known as the Castle Doctrine.

What Are the Different Degrees of Murder in Minnesota?

Minnesota divides murder into three degrees. The first, second, and third degrees are distinguishable by the intent, premeditation, or other circumstances, such as occurring during another felony. First-degree murder is more serious, involving premeditation, or specific acts such as the death of a peace officer. Second- and third-degree murder are less serious, involving various states of intent and recklessness.

Contact Santana Law, PLLC

If you have been charged with murder in Edina, Santana Law, PLLC, can help you fight for your rights. We understand how serious these charges are and can build you a strong, appropriate defense. Contact us today for a consultation.

Edina, MN Murder Defense Resources