Jeff DeGree

Untitled-11 Jeff DeGreeMinneapolis, Minnesota

phone (612) 746-4277
fax (612) 746-4278
email Email Me

I began defending criminal cases in 1991, as a third year law student, when I worked as a clerk at the Ramsey County public defender’s office in St. Paul.  It is hard to believe that almost 20 years have passed.  During that time I have continued to defend those either accused of, or under investigation for, having been involved in criminal activity.

For approximately eight years, I worked full time as a public defender, first in the small town of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and later in Stillwater, Minnesota. In that time, I handled all types of criminal cases. In Wisconsin, I won aquittals in my last four trials, including a very serious sexual assault case that was prosecuted five years after the alleged assault. I also assisted other lawyers in several homicide cases. In 1995, I moved back to the Twin Cities, where I grew up. While there, I focused on the defense of serious felony cases.

During my time as a public defender, I also successfully argued scores of suppression motions, including cases involving illegal search and seizures, Miranda violations, involuntary statements, improper interrogations, lack of competency, and mental illness defense. I gained numerous acquittals, including cases involving allegations of attempted homicide, numerous sexual assaults, controlled substances, burglary, theft, and DUI.

Also during that time I defended one of Minnesota’s most infamous alleged serial killers. In this case, alleged to have occurred in 1979, I successfully persuaded the judge to suppress evidence indicating my client had committed five additional homicides and ten sexual assaults. The case was one of the most complex murder cases in state history.

While I enjoyed working as a public defender, I grew frustrated by having so many cases. I simply could not provide the quality representation I desired. Thus, in 1999, I went into private practice, focusing on quality service and letting the rest take care of itself.  I have greatly enjoyed being able to develop deeper relationships with clients and being able to more fully develop and defend their cases.

While in private practice, I have continued to successfully litigate and defend all types of cases, from driving offenses to several first degree murder cases.   My practice has expanded to defending cases in Federal Court where I have handled cases involving white collar crime, bank robbery, controlled substances and terrorism.

I have been consistently recognized by my peers as among the best criminal defense attorneys in Minnesota, having been named a Super Lawyer every year (except one) since 1999.  I also help teach other attorneys by frequently speaking at Continuing Legal Education courses.

This is what some of my colleagues and clients have said about me:

“I tried several felony cases against Jeff and consider him to be one of the finest defense attorneys in Minnesota.”
- Current Prosecutor

“Considering the evidence and charges against me, the outcome was the best I could ever have hoped for.”
- Former Client

“Thank you so much.  I could not have been treated better.”
- Former Client

“Mr. DeGree knows all the prosecutors and is very well respected.”
- Former Client

“I’ve dealt with a lot of attorneys and not gotten half the results I got with DeGree.”
- Former Client

“I really trusted Mr. DeGree—he was definitely on my side.”
- Former Client

“Mr. DeGree knows the people he needs to know to get the job done.”
- Former Client

“A lot of attorneys just go through the motions. Mr. DeGree doesn’t.”
- Former Client

“Client/attorney conversations are so important—and Mr. DeGree team puts clients at ease right from the start.”
- Former Client

“Mr. DeGree makes clients feel very comfortable.”
- Former Client

Bar Admissions:

  • Wisconsin, 1992
  • Minnesota, 1995
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2001
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2002
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa, 2009

Education:

  • American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, District of Columbia, 1992
  • Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA, 1988

Honors and Awards:

  • Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics and Mpls./St. Paul Magazine, 1999 – 2003, 2004 – 2009.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Board of Directors, 2002 – 2008)
  • Washington County Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Minneapolis Washburn Youth Hockey Association, Vice President

Torres, DeGree & Associates is conveniently located in the Minneapolis Warehouse District and is easily accessible by clients from uptown and the greater Twin Cities metro area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnetonka, Edina, Roseville, Golden Valley, Bloomington, Richfield, Eagan, Woodbury, Maplewood, Shakopee, Wayzata, Apple Valley, Chanhassen, Columbia Heights, Carver County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Scott County and Washington County. We handle cases throughout the state of Minnesota.