Cottonwood County DUI Records
Cottonwood County DUI records are maintained at the courthouse in Windom, Minnesota. The Fifth Judicial District handles all impaired driving cases filed here. Court Administrator Sheila Pierson manages the records office and copy requests. You can look up DUI cases online through the free state court search system or reach the courthouse by phone at (507) 831-7003. This page walks through how to search for DWI filings, what these records show, and the laws that shape DUI cases in Cottonwood County.
Cottonwood County Overview
Cottonwood County DUI Court Information
The Cottonwood County District Court processes all DUI and DWI cases for the county. It sits at 900 Third Avenue in Windom. The Fifth Judicial District oversees this court, covering several counties in southwestern Minnesota including Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Jackson, and others.
Under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, driving while impaired is a crime. The law sets the BAC limit at 0.08 for regular drivers and 0.04 for commercial operators. It also covers driving under the influence of controlled substances, cannabis products, or any mix of alcohol and drugs. Every DUI arrest in Cottonwood County generates a case file at this courthouse.
One thing to know about Cottonwood County: the court cannot accept payments after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of each month. If you plan to pay a DUI fine in person, keep that deadline in mind. Otherwise, regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free parking is available at the courthouse.
| Court | Cottonwood County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Cottonwood County Courthouse 900 Third Avenue Windom, MN 56101 |
| Phone | (507) 831-7003 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Admin | Sheila Pierson |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Cottonwood County |
How to Search Cottonwood County DUI Records
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system lets you search for DUI cases in Cottonwood County at no cost. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Results show the charges, hearing dates, case status, and docket entries. Documents filed electronically after July 2015 are viewable in the system.
Pending cases without a conviction may not show in a name-based search. You need the case number for those. Older records have limited online detail. If you hit a dead end with the online tool, call the courthouse at (507) 831-7003. Court staff can search their records and help you locate the case.
The court also offers eCheck-in for criminal and juvenile cases. This is for people with upcoming hearings, not for records searches. But it is a useful feature if you have a DUI court date in Cottonwood County and want to check in ahead of time.
Cottonwood County DUI Charge Levels
Minnesota uses four degrees for DWI charges. Fourth-degree under Statute 169A.27 is a misdemeanor. No aggravating factors. This is the most common level for first offenders in Cottonwood County.
Third-degree is a gross misdemeanor when one aggravating factor is present. That could be a prior DWI within ten years, a BAC at or above 0.16, a child under 16 in the vehicle, or a test refusal. Second-degree involves two or more aggravating factors. First-degree DWI under Statute 169A.24 is a felony reserved for people with three or more qualified prior incidents within ten years or a previous felony DWI conviction. That level carries up to seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.
All charge levels and dispositions appear in the Cottonwood County DUI records. You can see what was originally charged, any plea agreements, and the final sentence through the court file.
Note: Under Statute 169A.275, repeat offenders face mandatory minimum jail time and community service requirements even for non-felony DWI convictions.
DUI Records and License Actions in Cottonwood County
A DUI arrest in Cottonwood County triggers both a criminal case at the courthouse and an administrative license action through the Department of Public Safety. These run on separate tracks. The court deals with charges, fines, and possible jail time. The state handles the license revocation.
Under Statute 169A.52, a first-time test failure leads to 90 days of license revocation. Refusing the test means a full year. The officer issues a 14-day temporary license at the time of arrest. After that, driving without a valid license or interlock device is illegal.
The ignition interlock program is available for eligible drivers. The device prevents the car from starting if your breath registers at 0.02 BAC or above. Check your driving record through the Minnesota DVS website to see the current status of any license actions.
Cottonwood County Court Resources
The Cottonwood County court page has contact details, hours, and links to the Fifth Judicial District.
From here you can find the court calendar, eCheck-in information, and directions to the Windom courthouse. The weekly public court calendar updates each business day.
Search Cottonwood County DUI records online using the MCRO portal.
This free tool is available around the clock and covers all 87 Minnesota counties. You can view case status, charges, and filed documents for DUI cases.
Copies of Cottonwood County DUI Records
Plain and certified copies of DUI case records are available from the Cottonwood County District Court. Use the Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form to submit your request by mail, email, or fax. Include the case number if you have it. Otherwise, provide the person's full name, date of birth, date of offense, and charges.
Certified copies come with the court seal and are needed by some agencies as official proof. Plain copies are cheaper and fine for personal use. Fees depend on page count and copy type. Police reports are not available from the court. Contact the arresting agency directly for those.
Nearby Counties
Cottonwood County is in southwestern Minnesota. These are the counties nearby. DUI cases are filed where the arrest took place.