Benton County DUI Records
Benton County DUI records are maintained at the District Court in Foley, Minnesota. The Seventh Judicial District handles all DWI cases here, with Court Administrator Sara Grife managing court operations. You can search for impaired driving records from Benton County through the free state court records website, or you can reach out to the courthouse directly at (320) 968-5205. Benton County sits just southeast of St. Cloud and covers a mix of suburban and rural communities. Every DUI arrest in the county creates a court record that stays on file and can be looked up by the public.
Benton County Overview
DUI Records at Benton County District Court
The Benton County District Court is located at 615 Highway 23 in Foley. Court Administrator Sara Grife oversees the office. The court processes DUI cases, traffic matters, criminal charges, and all other case types that fall under its jurisdiction. Staff can help you look up DUI records, request copies, and answer questions about case status.
Benton County is part of the Seventh Judicial District along with Becker, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena counties. The district shares some administrative policies, but each county court keeps its own case files. Benton County DUI records are specific to arrests that took place within county lines. The courthouse has a free public parking lot, and the court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Benton County court calendar is posted online each business day at 7:00 AM and updated hourly. This lets you check when DUI hearings are scheduled without calling the courthouse.
| Court | Benton County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 615 Highway 23 Foley, MN 56329 |
| Phone | (320) 968-5205 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Admin | Sara Grife |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Benton County |
How to Look Up Benton County DUI Records
The quickest way to search Benton County DUI records is through Minnesota Court Records Online. This free state system lets you search by name, case number, or citation number. It pulls up DUI case details from the Benton County District Court, including charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. You can also download filed documents as PDFs.
If you prefer to search in person, visit the Benton County Courthouse at 615 Highway 23 in Foley. Staff at the court administration office will help you look up DUI records. A case number is the fastest way to find a specific record. If you only have a name, provide as much detail as possible to narrow down the search. The Benton County government website has general county information that may also be helpful.
For mail requests, use the Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form. Send it to the Benton County court office with the case number or identifying details. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and date of offense if you do not have the case number. The court will process the request and send copies back to you.
Note: Criminal DUI cases without a conviction will not show up in a defendant name search on MCRO; use a case number instead.
Benton County Court Page
The Benton County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site has courthouse details, the weekly court calendar, and links to DUI records resources.
From this page you can also find information about the Seventh Judicial District's policies and any local court programs that deal with DWI cases in Benton County.
Benton County DUI Laws and Charges
Minnesota law defines DWI in Statute 169A.20. Driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more is the most common basis for a DUI charge in Benton County. The statute also covers driving under the influence of controlled substances, cannabis products, or any intoxicating substance. Commercial drivers face a lower limit of 0.04.
Benton County DUI records show which degree was charged. Fourth-degree DWI is a misdemeanor with no aggravating factors. Third-degree is a gross misdemeanor when one aggravating factor exists, like a prior DWI within ten years or a BAC at or above 0.16. Second-degree DWI involves two or more aggravating factors. First-degree DWI under Statute 169A.24 is a felony, applying to people with three or more priors in a ten-year window or a past felony DWI conviction.
Sentences range widely. A first-time fourth-degree DWI in Benton County might result in probation, a fine, and a mandatory evaluation. A felony first-degree DWI under Statute 169A.276 carries a minimum three-year prison sentence. The court record for each Benton County DUI case shows the exact sentence imposed and any conditions the judge set.
The Benton County government website at co.benton.mn.us provides additional county resources and links to departments that may have records related to DUI arrests.
This includes links to law enforcement and county services that work alongside the court on impaired driving matters in Benton County.
License Revocation After a Benton County DUI
A DUI arrest in Benton County triggers administrative license revocation under Statute 169A.52. This happens separately from the criminal case. Fail a breath test at 0.08 or more and your license is revoked for 90 days on a first offense. Refuse the test and it jumps to one year. A BAC at twice the legal limit also means a one-year revocation.
The ignition interlock program is available under Statute 171.306. It lets you drive with a device that checks your breath before the car starts. The device will not let you drive if it reads 0.02 or higher. Participation periods range from one year to life, depending on the case. Many Benton County DUI defendants use this program to keep driving while their case is pending or during probation.
Reinstatement goes through DVS. You pay a fee, show proof of insurance, and complete all court requirements. The DVS online portal lets you track your license status and see what still needs to be done.
Getting Copies of Benton County DUI Records
Search and download Benton County DUI records for free at MCRO. Most case documents are available digitally. For certified copies, call the court at (320) 968-5205 or visit the courthouse in Foley. Certified copies carry a seal and cost more than plain copies.
If you owe money on a Benton County DUI case, you can pay fines online at the Minnesota Court Payment Center. This system accepts credit and debit cards. You can also pay in person at the courthouse during business hours.
Cities in Benton County
Benton County includes Foley, Sauk Rapids, Rice, Gilman, and other small towns. Sauk Rapids is the largest community, sitting just across the river from St. Cloud. None of the cities within Benton County itself have a dedicated page, but all DUI cases from the county are handled at the courthouse in Foley.
Nearby Counties
Benton County borders several central Minnesota counties. Make sure a DUI case is filed in the right county by checking the arrest location.