Certified Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving the Red River Valley
Ringstrom DeKrey defends people charged with crimes in Fargo-Moorhead, greater North Dakota, and northwestern Minnesota — including Cass County, Clay County, Becker County, and beyond.
With the region's only board-certified Criminal Law Specialists on your side, you get attorneys who have proven at the highest level that they know how to handle what you're facing.
The Only Certified Criminal Law Specialists in the region
Bruce Ringstrom Jr. and Dane DeKrey are the only attorneys in the Red River Valley certified as Criminal Law Specialists. And Ringstrom DeKrey is the only law firm outside the Minneapolis metro to have two lawyers hold this prestigious certification.
This certification process is regulated by the MSBA to ensure that only the most qualified attorneys achieve this distinction. The Criminal Law Board Certification offered by the MSBA recognizes attorneys who possess advanced expertise in handling criminal cases. This award ensures that lawyers have demonstrated substantial experience and knowledge in criminal law, and adhere to the highest of standards set by the MSBA.
Certification is earned by fewer than 3% of all licensed Minnesota attorneys.
Featured Criminal Defense Case Story:
Dismissing a Claim of Sexual Assault
When the state charged our client with sexual assault related to an encounter he believed was consensual, we fought to clear his name. After a long legal battle, which included convincing a judge to suppress certain evidence, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges.
Meet Your Criminal Defense Attorneys
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Dane DeKrey
Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Attorney with 12 Years Experience
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Bruce Ringstrom Jr.
Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Attorney with 17 Years Experience
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Michael Minard
Criminal Defense
Attorney with 16 Years Experience
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Matt Keller
Criminal Defense
Attorney with 5 Years Experience
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Bruce Ringstrom Sr.
Criminal Defense
Attorney with 45 Years Experience
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Ringstrom DeKrey defends clients facing a wide range of criminal charges in Minnesota, North Dakota, and federal court — including DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, violent crimes, sex crimes, and federal charges. If you're unsure whether your case qualifies, call for a consultation.
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The most important step is to contact a criminal defense attorney before speaking with law enforcement. Anything you say can be used against you, even statements that seem harmless. Ringstrom DeKrey serves clients across the Fargo-Moorhead metro, Detroit Lakes, and the broader Red River Valley region in both states.
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The Minnesota State Bar Association certifies attorneys who have demonstrated advanced knowledge, substantial experience, and a commitment to the highest standards in criminal law. Fewer than 3% of licensed Minnesota attorneys hold this certification. Bruce Ringstrom Jr. and Dane DeKrey are the only certified Criminal Law Specialists in the Red River Valley.
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Yes — even misdemeanor convictions can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record that affects employment, housing, and licensing. An experienced criminal defense attorney can often negotiate reduced charges or dismissals that a public defender or self-representation may not achieve.
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State charges are prosecuted under Minnesota or North Dakota law and handled in state court. Federal charges involve violations of federal law and are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in federal court, where sentencing guidelines are typically stricter. Ringstrom DeKrey handles cases in both state and federal court across the region.
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Every case is different, but most follow a similar path: arrest, charges filed, arraignment, pre-trial motions, potential plea negotiations, and if necessary, trial. Having a certified specialist on your side means having an attorney who understands how to challenge evidence, suppress unlawful searches, and build a strategy at every stage.
Criminal Defense FAQs
Criminal Defense Services
North Dakota
Ringstrom DeKrey defends clients facing criminal charges across North Dakota, including Fargo and the surrounding region. North Dakota criminal law has its own distinct structure — assault charges carry no formal degrees, drug crimes are classified across five levels of severity, and DUI penalties escalate sharply with prior offenses. Our attorneys know how North Dakota prosecutors and courts operate, and have defended clients facing everything from misdemeanor driving offenses to felony murder charges in the state.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, criminal charges range from petty misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, each carrying its own sentencing framework and long-term consequences. Ringstrom DeKrey attorneys Bruce Ringstrom Jr. and Michael Minard spent a combined 30 years as Minnesota public defenders — giving them an insider's understanding of how the state prosecutes cases and where defenses are won. Our team defends criminal clients across Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, and the broader northwest Minnesota in cases involving assault, DWI, drug crimes, sex offenses, domestic assault, and more.
Federal
Federal criminal charges are among the most serious anyone can face. They are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, governed by strict federal sentencing guidelines, and often carry mandatory minimum sentences that far exceed state-level charges. Ringstrom DeKrey co-founder Dane DeKrey is a former Assistant Federal Public Defender who handled hundreds of federal cases across North Dakota and has trained other attorneys in federal criminal procedure — giving our clients an inside understanding of how the federal system works and how to fight it effectively.