Dane DeKrey

I’ve had many attorneys over the years. I’ve faced 35 criminal charges and 9 felonies, so unfortunately, I have a lot of experience with both paid attorneys and public defenders. But from the very beginning, Dane DeKrey was different. Dane was my free CJA attorney, but he fought harder for me than a...ny attorney I have ever paid. From the very first time we met, Dane was brutally honest with me. He never made promises he couldn’t keep. He didn’t tell me everything was going to be okay, and he didn’t tell me he was magically going to get me out of everything. He was honest: I was going to prison. The question was how long I was going to be there and what we could do to give me the best possible chance at a future afterward. And then he went to work. Dane worked tirelessly putting everything together—trying to get things dismissed, dealing with different cases, and making sure the prosecutor had information ahead of time instead of surprising them with it in court. One thing he explained to me has always stuck with me: sometimes it’s better to give someone the opportunity to do you a favor than it is to blindside them and force their hand. That was Dane. He didn’t just understand the law; he understood people. I truly believe the outcome of my case came from a combination of the work Dane did for me and the work I did on myself. I stayed clean. I followed the rules. I did what I was supposed to do. And Dane made sure those things mattered. By the end of my case, Dane felt like more than my attorney. He felt like a friend. There were times he would come to our meetings in shorts and a baseball hat, and we would talk about his kids, my kids, and life in general. Those conversations may sound like small things, but when you’re facing prison and the pressure of an upcoming sentencing is weighing on you and your entire family, being treated like a human being instead of just another case number means more than I can explain. The day of my sentencing, I could tell Dane was different. He was solemn, and I could tell that he genuinely cared about what was about to happen to me and what my future was going to look like. Afterward, he told me that before sentencing he honestly didn’t even know exactly what he was going to say to the judge. My wife had even asked me that day what was wrong with him because she could tell something was weighing on him. While we were waiting outside the courtroom, I was playing hide-and-seek with my 11-year-old daughter. Dane saw us. That simple moment—me being a dad and playing with my little girl while waiting to find out how long I would be taken away from her—became a big part of his closing argument. That meant something to me. He didn’t just see my criminal record. He saw me as a person. He saw me as a husband, a father, and someone who had made mistakes but was trying to change his life. And he made sure the court saw that person, too. In the end, I was sentenced to 14 months with a couple of years of probation afterward. Considering everything I was facing, I know how different the outcome could have been. I give Dane a tremendous amount of credit for where I ended up. Am I satisfied with Dane’s work on my case? Absolutely. Am I satisfied with Dane as a person? Without question. Dane is somebody I plan to check in with when I finish serving my time. He became someone I respect and someone I could genuinely see myself confiding in long after my case is over. After 35 criminal charges, 9 felonies, multiple paid attorneys, and multiple public defenders, I can say without hesitation that Dane DeKrey gave me the best representation I have ever had. The fact that he was my free CJA attorney makes that even more meaningful to me. He fought harder for me than attorneys I had paid thousands of dollars to represent me. I would absolutely recommend Dane DeKrey to anyone who needs legal representation, guidance, or simply an attorney who will tell them the truth and then fight for them. Dane

Dane DeKrey at Ringstrom DeKrey in Moorhead handled my case from beginning to end, and I could not have asked for better representation. I was facing multiple felony-level criminal vehicular operation charges. Dane went above and beyond from the start. For the entire time I was going through court...—about 14 months—he kept me in the loop, answered every question I had, and even checked in after sentencing. He showed up prepared for every hearing and wrote an incredible letter in my defense, around 25 pages, that actually made a difference. The result was a stay of imposition on all charges. After probation, they become misdemeanors. I cannot stress how much that matters. It means I will not be a felon for the rest of my life. Dane also brought on Michael Minard, a very experienced former public defender. Michael was knowledgeable, gave a valuable second perspective, and was a real asset to the team. I have seen comments about the price but this case is the perfect example of getting what you pay for. Not being a felon forever was well worth every penny.

If you think you don’t deserve strong legal representation, you’re wrong. You do. Dane DeKrey shows exactly what that looks like in practice. From the beginning, Ringstrom DeKrey operated as a true team. After spending years in athletics, I recognize how effective teams function. This group consis...tently demonstrated those traits. My case was not handled by one person. Everyone on the team took the time to understand me and the details involved. They worked collaboratively, each bringing their own expertise and perspective. That collective effort was decisive. Throughout the process, I experienced the full range of emotions that come with navigating the legal system. Through it all, Dane was a consummate professional. He was tenacious. He never took his foot off the gas. Dane handled the complexity of this case with meticulous preparation, securing a favorable outcome through expertise rather than shortcuts. What stood out most is how he approached me as a person. He took the time to understand who I am and what I stand for. He listened. He respected me not just as a client, but as a human being. There were moments of doubt, which is natural in any legal battle. Ringstrom DeKrey succeeded because of how they operate as a team, constantly evaluating, adjusting strategy, and staying aligned. Dane helped navigate a complex and often frustrating legal system with precision and resilience. Those moments are behind me now. He gave me my life back, and because of his work, I can move forward with freedom and look ahead to a future I’m excited about. This was more than legal representation. He was genuinely committed. If you are looking for a lawyer that is relentless, prepared, and fully engaged, I would strongly recommend Dane DeKrey. — Ronald Hehn