Minneapolis DUI Records
Minneapolis DUI records are maintained by the Minneapolis Police Department and processed through the Hennepin County District Court. As the largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis sees a high volume of DWI arrests each year. You can search for DUI case records online using the state court system or request police reports from MPD. The 311 Service Center and the MPD records unit both handle data requests from the public. Court records for DUI cases filed in Minneapolis show charges, plea information, and sentencing details. Getting copies of these DUI records takes just a few steps once you know where to look.
Minneapolis Overview
Minneapolis Police DUI Records
The Minneapolis Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. MPD handles all DUI and DWI arrests within city limits. When an officer makes a DWI stop in Minneapolis, the arrest generates a police report that becomes part of the public record under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. You can request these DUI records from the MPD records unit.
MPD records research staff can help you find DUI arrest reports, incident details, and related police data. The main office is at City Hall. You can also go to the 311 Service Center for help with your records request. Both locations accept walk-in visits during business hours. For phone requests, call 311 from within Minneapolis or use the contact info below.
| Department | Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) |
|---|---|
| Address | City Hall, 350 5th St S, Room 130 Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Non-Emergency | 311 (within Minneapolis) |
| 311 Center | 505 4th Ave S, Skyway Level, Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
| Records | ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/records |
You can visit the Minneapolis Police Department website to learn more about data request procedures. The MPD records page connects you with research specialists who handle DUI report requests.
The MPD records page at ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/records provides direct access to records research specialists for police data requests in Minneapolis.
This portal is the starting point for anyone seeking DUI arrest reports or other police data from Minneapolis.
How to Search DUI Records in Minneapolis
There are two main ways to search for Minneapolis DUI records. You can use the state court system for case records, or contact MPD for the police report itself. Each source gives you different details about the DUI case.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is free and open to the public. It covers all Hennepin County District Court cases, including DWI charges filed in Minneapolis. You can search by the person's name or by case number. Results show the charges, court dates, case status, and docket entries. Some records may have restricted access based on court rules, but most DUI case data is public.
For the actual police report from a DUI arrest, you need to go through MPD. Submit a request under the Minnesota Data Practices Act. You can do this in person at Room 130 in City Hall, or contact the 311 Service Center. Reports include the officer's observations, field sobriety test results, and breath or blood test data. Under Minn. Stat. 169A.20, a DWI charge can stem from impairment by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
The Minneapolis 311 Service Center at 505 4th Ave S handles walk-in records requests during weekday hours.
Staff at the 311 center can guide you through the data practices request process for DUI records.
Note: Court records and police reports are separate. The court file shows the legal case, while the police report covers the arrest itself.
Hennepin County DUI Court Cases
All Minneapolis DUI cases are filed in the Hennepin County District Court. This is the 4th Judicial District, and it is the busiest court system in Minnesota. The Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street in Minneapolis houses the court. DWI cases here range from misdemeanor to felony level depending on the number of prior offenses and other factors.
Under Minnesota law, DWI offenses are graded by degree. A first-time DWI with a blood alcohol concentration under 0.16 is typically a fourth-degree DWI under Minn. Stat. 169A.27. A first offense with a BAC of 0.16 or more, or with a child in the car, bumps up to a third-degree DWI under Minn. Stat. 169A.26. Repeat offenders face second-degree charges under Minn. Stat. 169A.25, and the most serious cases result in first-degree felony DWI charges under Minn. Stat. 169A.24. The Hennepin County Attorney's office handles the prosecution of these DUI cases.
You can look up DUI cases filed at the Hennepin County District Court through the MCRO system or by visiting the court in person. The court phone number is (612) 348-2040.
Minneapolis DWI Laws and Penalties
Minneapolis DUI cases follow the same state DWI laws that apply across Minnesota. The core statute is Minn. Stat. 169A.20, which makes it a crime to drive, operate, or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while impaired. The legal BAC limit is 0.08 for drivers 21 and older. Commercial drivers face a lower limit of 0.04. Any amount of a Schedule I or II controlled substance in your system also counts as a DWI.
Minnesota uses an implied consent law. Under Minn. Stat. 169A.51, anyone who drives on Minnesota roads has already agreed to submit to chemical testing if an officer has probable cause. Refusing the test is a separate crime and can lead to license revocation under Minn. Stat. 169A.52. That refusal creates its own set of DUI records tied to the Minneapolis arrest.
Penalties in Minneapolis DUI cases depend on the degree of the offense. Fourth-degree is a misdemeanor with up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Third-degree is a gross misdemeanor with up to one year and a $3,000 fine. First-degree felony DWI carries up to seven years in prison. These records stay on your criminal history and driving record.
The MPD main page is the hub for all department services and public safety resources in Minneapolis.
The MPD website includes links to records requests, reporting tools, and contact information for the department.
Getting Copies of Minneapolis DUI Records
You can get copies of DUI records from two places in Minneapolis. For court records, contact the Hennepin County Court Administrator or use the MCRO online system. For police reports, go through MPD.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) also maintains criminal history records that include DWI convictions. You can request your own record or, in some cases, another person's public record through the BCA. The BCA criminal history includes DUI convictions from courts across Minnesota, not just Minneapolis. There is a fee for BCA criminal history searches.
The Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division keeps driving records that show DWI-related violations, license revocations, and plate impoundments. Your DVS driving record is separate from the court file but often comes up when dealing with DUI record requests in Minneapolis.
Note: Certified court copies require a visit to the court clerk or a written request by mail.
License Impact After a Minneapolis DUI
A DUI arrest in Minneapolis triggers an administrative action against your driver's license that is separate from the criminal case. The Department of Public Safety can revoke your license before you ever go to court. Under Minn. Stat. 169A.52, a failed or refused chemical test leads to license revocation for at least 90 days on a first offense.
You may be eligible for the ignition interlock program under Minn. Stat. 171.306. This program lets you keep driving with a device installed in your car that requires a breath test before the engine will start. Minneapolis residents apply through DVS. The interlock requirement shows up in your driving record and is part of the DUI records tied to your case.
License reinstatement after a Minneapolis DWI requires paying a reinstatement fee, completing any required programs, and meeting all court conditions. The rules for getting your license back are in Minn. Stat. 171.178. The process can take months depending on the severity of your DUI case.
Hennepin County DUI Records
Minneapolis is in Hennepin County, and all DUI cases go through the Hennepin County District Court. The county handles DWI cases for Minneapolis and many surrounding suburbs. For more details on the county court system and DUI records across the county, visit the Hennepin County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Minneapolis where you can search for DUI records: