Fargo. Moorhead. Detroit Lakes. One DWI Defense Firm With Real Credentials.

Ringstrom DeKrey's MSBA-certified criminal law specialists defend DWI and DUI charges across the Red River Valley, with the board certification, experience, and track record to back it up.

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North Dakota and Minnesota treat impaired driving seriously, but the two states use different terminology and carry different consequences.

In North Dakota, the charge is called a DUI (Driving Under the Influence). In Minnesota, it's a DWI (Driving While Impaired). Different names, same core meaning: operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

The legal limit in both states is .08% BAC for standard drivers. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter .04% threshold. For drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol can trigger a charge.

Impairment doesn't require a blood alcohol test. Officers can charge a driver based on observed behavior, field sobriety tests, or the presence of controlled substances, even prescription drugs.

What triggers a DWI/DUI charge:

  • Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08%

  • Visible impairment regardless of BAC

  • Presence of a controlled substance in the body

  • Refusal to submit to chemical testing (which carries its own penalties)

Because Ringstrom DeKrey practices on both sides of the Red River, their attorneys understand the distinct laws, court systems, and prosecution tendencies in both North Dakota and Minnesota, an advantage most local firms can't offer.

Credentials That Make a Difference in DWI Defense

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DWI and DUI law is technical. Challenging a BAC test, contesting the validity of a traffic stop, or navigating the administrative license hearing process requires a level of specialization that goes beyond general criminal defense.

Ringstrom DeKrey's attorneys hold credentials that are rare in the region. Bruce Ringstrom Jr. and Dane DeKrey are two of only a handful of MSBA-certified Criminal Law Specialists in Minnesota and the only ones practicing in the Red River Valley. That certification requires demonstrated courtroom experience, peer review, and a rigorous examination process. It isn't honorary.

Attorney Matt Keller brings additional depth through his training with the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), an organization dedicated exclusively to advancing the science and law of DUI defense. NCDD training covers everything from the pharmacology of alcohol to the mechanics of breath testing equipment, giving Ringstrom DeKrey attorneys the technical knowledge to challenge evidence that less-prepared defense attorneys might accept at face value.

When your case hinges on the reliability of a breathalyzer reading or the legality of a traffic stop, that depth of training matters.

Meet Your DUI/DWI Attorneys

  • man in black suit sitting on chair

    Matt Keller

    DUI/DWI & Criminal Defense

    Attorney with 5 Years Experience

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  • Man in grey suit sitting on a chair

    Michael Minard

    DUI/DWI & Criminal Defense

    Attorney with 13 Years Experience

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What to Know about dWI / DUI in North dakota & Minnesota

  • What is the difference between a DWI and a DUI? The difference is mostly terminology. North Dakota uses DUI (Driving Under the Influence) while Minnesota uses DWI (Driving While Impaired). Both refer to operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

  • Technically, yes. But refusing a breathalyzer does not help you avoid a criminal charge. In both North Dakota and Minnesota, implied consent laws mean that by driving on public roads you have already agreed to chemical testing. Refusing a breath, blood, or urine test is itself a criminal offense that carries automatic license revocation and can result in penalties similar to or worse than a DWI conviction. Refusal is not a way out.

  • It can, depending on your profession and employer. A conviction creates a permanent criminal record that shows up on background checks. Certain professions including healthcare, education, law, and commercial driving carry additional licensing consequences. Even a first offense can affect your employment situation, which is one of many reasons to take the charge seriously from day one.

  • Yes. A first offense is still a criminal charge with real consequences including fines, license suspension, and a permanent record. Many people assume a first-offense DWI is a minor matter that will resolve itself. It won't. An experienced DWI attorney can identify weaknesses in the evidence, challenge the legality of the stop, and pursue outcomes that protect your record and your future.

  • In both North Dakota and Minnesota, a DWI or DUI conviction can stay on your criminal record permanently. In Minnesota, prior DWI offenses can be counted against you for up to ten years when determining the severity of a new charge. This makes it critical to fight every charge rather than simply accepting a conviction and moving on.

  • Yes, in some cases. Dismissals and reductions are not guaranteed, but they are more achievable with skilled representation. Common grounds include an unlawful traffic stop, improper administration of field sobriety tests, errors in BAC testing equipment or procedures, and constitutional violations. Ringstrom DeKrey's attorneys review every case for these opportunities.

  • In both states, your license can be suspended or revoked quickly after a DWI arrest, sometimes before your criminal case is even resolved. There are administrative processes separate from the criminal court process. Acting quickly with an attorney can make a significant difference in protecting your driving privileges.

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