Abstract: The subject of this research is the relevant part of the theoretical-legal heritage of the prominent Russian jurist of the late XIX – early XX century – Vladimir Matveevich Gessen (1868-1920). The article characterizes the scholar’s contribution into the development of the theory of legal state, as well as examines Gessen’s views upon the importance of transition from the police state to legal state and correlation between the notions of “legal state” and “constitutional state”. The author also reviews Gessen’s outlook upon parliamentarism as the key factor of establishment of the legal state; administrative position of justice as the assurance of adherence to the subjective public rights; and ideas about the security of a person as a component of national security. The subject and method of the research, as well as the positioning of the research problem define the scientific novelty. An attempt is made of the problem-theoretical reconstruction and interpretation of the theoretical-legal heritage of the Russian police scientist V. M. Gessen; this topic has not been subjected to comprehensive analysis until the present time.