The Death Penalty in Minnesota

How Minnesota law treats death penalty, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Minnesota has no state law that provides for the death penalty. The sentences a court may impose for a felony are life imprisonment, a fixed term of years, a fine, restitution and related fees; death is not among them. Minn. Stat. §§609.10, subd. 1; 609.185(a)

Death penalty	Minnesota has no state law that provides for the death penalty. The sentences a court may impose for a felony are life imprisonment, a fixed term of years, a fine, restitution and related fees; death is not among them. First-degree murder is punished by life imprisonment. Reviewed Minn. Stat. §609.10 (sentences available) and §609.185 on 2026-10-28; no provision for a death sentence found. §609.185: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.185. Source: Minn. Stat. §§609.10, subd. 1; 609.185(a)

Death penalty

Minnesota has no state law that provides for the death penalty. The sentences a court may impose for a felony are life imprisonment, a fixed term of years, a fine, restitution and related fees; death is not among them. First-degree murder is punished by life imprisonment.

Reviewed Minn. Stat. §609.10 (sentences available) and §609.185 on 2026-10-28; no provision for a death sentence found. §609.185: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.185.

Source: Minn. Stat. §§609.10, subd. 1; 609.185(a)

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FAQ

Does Minnesota have the death penalty?

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.