How Derek Chauvin Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 14, 2025

How the contributions of Derek Chauvin continue to shape the world today.

Derek Chauvin is a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020. His actions, captured on video, sparked global protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes, leading to Floyd's death. He was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin was sentenced to over 20 years in prison for the murder and also faced federal charges of violating Floyd's civil rights. The case became a pivotal moment in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2007: Grand jury decision in the Wayne Reyes shooting

In 2007, a grand jury decided against charging any of the officers involved in the shooting of Wayne Reyes, determining that the police use of force in the case was justified, marking the conclusion of the investigation into the October 29, 2006, incident.

May 25, 2020: George Floyd's murder

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill. During the arrest, Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for approximately nine minutes, leading to Floyd's death and sparking widespread protests.

May 28, 2020: Press conference by prosecutors

On May 28, 2020, state and federal prosecutors held a press conference to announce developments in the case against the officers involved in George Floyd's murder but indicated that more time was needed to review the case.

May 29, 2020: Chauvin's arrest and initial charges

On May 29, 2020, Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. This made him the first White police officer in Minnesota to be charged in the death of a Black civilian.

October 7, 2020: Chauvin's release on conditional bail

On October 7, 2020, Derek Chauvin was released on conditional bail after posting a bond of $1 million, pending further legal proceedings.

October 22, 2020: Dismissal of third-degree murder charge

On October 22, 2020, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill dismissed the third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin but denied Chauvin's motion to dismiss the other, more serious murder charges.

November 5, 2020: Initial ruling for joint trial

On November 5, 2020, Judge Cahill ruled that Derek Chauvin and all three of the other officers charged in connection to George Floyd's death would be tried together in Hennepin County.

2020: Incarceration at Oak Park Heights prison

Following his 2020 arrest, Derek Chauvin was booked into the Oak Park Heights prison, where he was held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day in an isolated wing under constant watch.

January 13, 2021: Reversal of joint trial ruling

On January 13, 2021, Judge Cahill reversed his earlier ruling and decided that Derek Chauvin would be tried separately from the other three officers charged in the death of George Floyd.

February 2021: DOJ convenes grand jury

In February 2021, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) convened a grand jury to investigate whether Derek Chauvin violated George Floyd's civil rights, as well as another incident in September 2017.

February 2021: Legal action pursued in discrimination case

In February 2021, the group of correctional officers who had filed a discrimination complaint pursued legal action, filing discrimination charges with the state Department of Human Rights.

March 8, 2021: Start of Chauvin's trial

On March 8, 2021, Derek Chauvin's trial began at the Hennepin County Government Center. It marked the first time that a judge in Minnesota authorized cameras to show a full criminal trial.

March 11, 2021: Reinstatement of third-degree murder charge

On March 11, 2021, Judge Cahill reinstated the third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin, adding another count to the charges he faced.

April 20, 2021: Guilty verdict in Chauvin's trial

On April 20, 2021, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all three counts: unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was the first White Minnesotan police officer to be convicted of murdering a Black person.

May 7, 2021: Indictment for civil rights violations

On May 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Derek Chauvin, along with his three co-officers, for constitutional civil rights violations for their involvement in the murder of George Floyd. On the same day, May 7, 2021, Chauvin was indicted by the same grand jury for violating the civil rights of the 14-year-old boy he arrested in the September 2017 incident.

May 12, 2021: Allowance to seek a greater prison sentence

On May 12, 2021, Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill allowed the prosecution to seek a greater prison sentence for Derek Chauvin after finding that Chauvin treated Floyd "with particular cruelty".

June 25, 2021: Chauvin's sentencing hearing

Derek Chauvin was held at Oak Park Heights until his sentencing hearing on June 25, 2021.

August 23, 2021: Original Date of State Court Trial

August 23, 2021, was the original date set for the state court trial for the three other officers involved in the murder of George Floyd, before it was pushed back to March 7, 2022 due to federal indictments.

September 8, 2021: First court appearance for tax evasion case

On September 8, 2021, Derek Chauvin first appeared in Washington County District Court for his tax-evasion case.

September 16, 2021: Chauvin pleads not guilty

On September 16, 2021, Derek Chauvin pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the 2017 incident indictment.

December 15, 2021: Chauvin pleads guilty to federal charges

On December 15, 2021, Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to the federal charges of violating the rights of George Floyd and to violating the rights of the 14-year-old boy in the 2017 incident.

2021: Chauvin's Trial and Conviction

In early 2021, Derek Chauvin was tried for unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was convicted on all charges and sentenced to 22+1⁄2 years in prison, marking a significant outcome in the case.

January 21, 2022: Pre-trial hearing scheduled

On January 21, 2022, the pre-trial hearing for Derek Chauvin's tax evasion case was scheduled.

March 7, 2022: State court trial pushed back

Due to the federal indictments, on March 7, 2022, the state court trial for the three other officers was pushed back from August 23, 2021.

April 2022: Appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals

In April 2022, Chauvin appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, asking the court to reverse his conviction and order a new trial, claiming that the jury of the case in the state had been "intimidated by excessive pre-trial publicity".

May 4, 2022: Plea deal accepted

On May 4, 2022, the judge presiding over the federal case accepted the plea deal, paving the way for a sentence of between 20 and 25 years in prison, to be served concurrently with his state sentence.

July 7, 2022: Chauvin sentenced to 21 years

On July 7, 2022, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison on the charges of violating the civil rights of George Floyd and the boy.

August 24, 2022: Transfer to FCI Tucson

On August 24, 2022, Derek Chauvin was transferred from the state correctional facility at Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, to FCI Tucson, a medium-security federal facility in Arizona, as part of his guilty plea deal in the federal civil rights case against him.

March 17, 2023: Chauvin pleads guilty to tax evasion

On March 17, 2023, Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was sentenced to 13 months in prison, to run concurrently with his murder sentence with credit given for time already served.

April 2023: Affirmation of conviction by Court of Appeals

In April 2023, a three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued a 50-page decision affirming Derek Chauvin's conviction.

July 2023: Denial of review by Minnesota Supreme Court

In July 2023, the Minnesota Supreme Court denied Derek Chauvin's request to review his case, upholding the decision of the Court of Appeals.

November 2023: Motion to vacate civil rights conviction

In mid-November 2023, Derek Chauvin filed a motion in federal court attempting to vacate the civil rights conviction.

November 20, 2023: Supreme Court declines to hear Chauvin's case

On November 20, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear Derek Chauvin's case, leaving in place the state court rulings that affirmed his conviction and sentence of 22+1⁄2 years in prison.

2023: Settlement over knee restraint lawsuits

In 2023, the City of Minneapolis agreed to pay almost $9 million to settle lawsuits brought against Chauvin by Zoya Code and John Pope Jr. for pressing his knee into their necks.

December 2024: Court accepts Chauvin's demand for tissue testing

In December 2024, a US District court accepted Derek Chauvin's demand to have George Floyd's tissue remains tested again to check for alternative causes of death.