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Bruce Norman Ringstrom Jr.
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About Bruce
Biography
In many ways, I was destined for criminal defense. As the son of a criminal defense lawyer, I grew up hearing stories about courtroom battles and complicated cases. I graduated from Moorhead High School and served in the United States Navy. Following my Honorable Discharge, I enjoyed a successful career in sales. Selling helped me understand why people care about what they care about. This skill set has helped me far more than almost anything I learned in law school.
I clerked for a criminal defense lawyer in St. Paul after my first year of law school. In my second year, I worked in a large office of public defenders, representing people in court every day. My additional work on criminal appeals helped confirm my belief that I needed to be in a courtroom actually defending people charged with crimes.
I have represented people charged with crimes ranging from disorderly conduct and domestic assault to obscure financial crimes like defeating security on personalty, to murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The criminal justice system does a bad job at understanding those charged with crimes. When I represent someone, I try to understand who they are, which helps me serve their interests better.
Some people come to me wanting to take their cases to trial in hopes of a not guilty verdict. Others want to be helped through a difficult and scary process with the least damage to their lives. I am always clear with my clients about what can and cannot be done, and then I work to get the best possible outcome for them.
When you’re charged with a crime, the immense power of the government is arrayed against you. The government has police to arrest you, talk to your friends and family, tap your phone, execute search warrants, give deals to other people in exchange for testifying against you, and many other things that may be hard to see. When I represent someone, I do all I can to counter-balance the state’s power. I help each of my clients understand what can and cannot happen in a criminal case; my client then can help me understand the facts of his or her life so that I can build the best possible defense.
Certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. Pure Criminal Defense: DUI, Domestics, Theft, Sex Crimes, Drug Felonies, Financial Crimes, Murder.
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
20%
17 years | 2,000 cases
DUI and DWI
15%
17 years | 200 cases
Domestic Violence
15%
17 years | 100 cases
Expungement
10%
12 years | 4 cases
Fees and Rates
Licenses
Licensed in North Dakota for 9 years
State: North Dakota
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Licensed in Minnesota for 16 years
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Bruce online.
Bruce Norman Ringstrom Jr.'s Reviews
Avvo Review Score
33 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by Connie | May 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Supportive; great at his job
My husband was wrongly accused of a crime. Thru the recommendation of a Lawyer in Detroit Lakes we contacted Bruce and Dane. Their whole team is amazing. They are open, honest and great communicators. They were able to get our case dismissed! Would highly recommend their team to anybody!
Posted by anonymous | February 02, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent lawyer
I am a business/civil litigation attorney. I referred a criminal homicide charge to Mr. Ringstrom. His office left no stone unturned. They were well prepared for trial. With an innocent client, and with no plea deals put on the table, probably because of internal/law enforcement pressures, Mr. Ringst...
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Juvenile Court case
Our son was involved in a very tragic accident that shook an entire community in Minnesota. From the time Bruce Sr came to us, we knew we had met a very special attorney. He treated us like one of his own from the start. As he continued to hear the story he realized he wasn't only dealing with one...
Posted by anonymous | March 02, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
My light at the end of a tunnel
I was completely blindsided by a felony theft charge. It stemmed from wire fraud, committed by a hacker, at a company I was previously employed at. As a devoted wife, mother of two, hockey and baseball team lead, and known member of our community, I was devastated. The maximum sentence was 20 years i...
Posted by Josh | October 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Saved my life
I was facing a DUI from an attempted suicide attempt where I blew 3 times the legal limit. Was facing extended lose of license, major jail time, and heavy fees. Working with Bruce on my case we were able to get my license back ASAP, reduce time served to minimal numbers of jail and in house arrest co...
Bruce Norman Ringstrom Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Bruce has a great reputation in the legal community. He is a great advocate for his clients."
"I have spent a significant amount of time studying the practice of law with Bruce. He is incredibly committed to the practice. I would highly recommend hiring Bruce if the government has accused you of a crime."
"Bruce is an incredibly dedicated and compassionate advocate that will fight tirelessly for his clients. I know Bruce to be honest, intelligent, and incredibly passionate about defending his clients against the Government."
"Bruce Ringstrom Jr is one of a kind. Not only does he have extensive knowledge of the law, he shows compassion and is determined to make sure that justice is served for his clients."
"Bruce is exactly the kind of lawyer whose attention to detail and "leave no stone unturned" approach makes him an indispensable asset to the people he represents. It's without any reservation that I endorse Bruce."
"I had the pleasure of working with Bruce on a criminal matter. Bruce is a dedicated attorney with phenomenal trial skills. He is passionate about what he does and he does it well! I highly recommend him and endorse him"
"Bruce is an extremely talented trial attorney who works harder than anyone and he pours himself into his cases. He is relentless in his pursuit of justice. I enthusiastically endorse Bruce."
"Bruce is a phenomenal lawyer. I worked with him and have seen his skills and prowess as an attorney first hand when we worked on a case together. I cannot more strongly recommend a criminal defense attorney. If you are facing criminal charges in Minnesota or North Dakota, he is the go-to guy."
"Bruce is an excellent lawyer; up front and honest with his clients and an aggressive advocate on their behalf. Highly recommended."
"I worked on several matters with Bruce, who is one of the smartest lawyers with whom I've ever worked in my 15 years in this industry. Working with Bruce, I saw unparalleled dedication to the law and the client. Consider yourself lucky to have Bruce on your team."
"I've seen Bruce work on complex cases involving sensitive issues and I've always been impressed with his ability to identify, address and utilize the good and bad facts and circumstances in a way that helps his clients. This man leaves no stone left unturned and is powerfully effective in trial. I endorse this lawyer."
"Bruce works extremely hard, and leaves no stone unturned. His commitment to his clients is above and beyond. I am proud to have trained with him. His clients are lucky to have him!"
"Bruce strives and achieves great results for clients because of his tireless work ethic, knowledge, and abilities in and out of the courtroom."
"Detail oriented and great advocate"
"Bruce is an excellent, well respected, hard working attorney. I confidently refer clients to Bruce."
"I endorse this lawyer. Bruce works hard for all his clients - harder than you ask, and thinks outside the box. He has had high profile courtroom experience, and proved himself many times over."
"I endorse Bruce Ringstrom, Jr. Bruce is a talented young attorney with a proven passion for defending the rights of criminal defendants. He has tried dozens of jury trials and has obtained acquittals for many of his clients. If a friend or a relative were charged with a crime in Minnesota or North Dakota, I would without any reservations recommend hiring Bruce Ringstrom."
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Experience
Honors
2020
MSBA Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
2019
Graduate, Trial Lawyers College, Trial Lawyers College
2007
Excellence for the Future Award in the Study of Jurisprudence, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction
2007
Excellence for the Future Award for Law & Literature, Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction
Work Experience
2021 - Present
Partner, Ringstrom DeKrey
2013 - 2021
Owner, Ringstrom Law
2009 - 2013
Public Defender, Minnesota Public Defense
2007 - 2007
Law Clerk, Minnesota Public Defender's Appellate Office
2007 - 2008
Law Clerk, Minnesota Public Defense
Associations
2018 - Present
Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2017 - Present
North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2016 - Present
North Dakota State Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
Cass County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Minnesota State Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Clay County Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Becker County Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Domestic Assault
Continued for Dismissal
Criminal Vehicular Injury
Dismissed
Voter Fraud
Not Guilty
Felony Controlled Substance
Dismissed
1st and 3rd Degree Assault
Not Guilty
Attempted Murder
Not Guilty
Criminal Sexual Conduct
Not Guilty
Criminal Vehicular Homicide
Not Guilty
Burglary, Assault, and Threats
Not Guilty
Education
2008
Hamline University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2005
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2019
Philosophy 331, Philosophy of Law
Practical Legal Reasoning and the Philosophy of Law
2018
Practicing Restorative Justice
Is there a Conflict Between Restorative Justice and Due Process?
2018
Concordia College Philosophy Colloquium
Procedural Justice: Prioritizing the Legal Process Over Legal Outcomes
2017
Minnesota State Bar Association Criminal Justice Institute
Texting While Driving: A Case Study and Best Practices
2015
Philosophy For All Monthly Meeting
How Can You Defend Those People?
2013
Minnesota Public Defender Professional Development Weekend
Probation Violation Discovery: How to Get it and What to Do With It
2012
Minnesota Public Defender Roadshow
Contested Probation Violation Hearings
Publications
2017
Fargo Inc!
Addiction in the Workplace
2017
Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education
Texting While Driving: A Case Study, Best Practices, and GPS Demonstrations of Mobile Devices and the Cloud (With John Carney)
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers