Search Fillmore County DUI Records

Fillmore County DUI records are filed and stored at the District Court in Preston, Minnesota. Whether you want to look up a past DWI case or check the status of a current charge, the court keeps all these files on record. The Third Judicial District handles Fillmore County cases, and the courthouse sits on Fillmore Street in downtown Preston. You can search DUI records online for free through the state court system, or you can go to the courthouse and ask the clerk to pull up what you need. Records go back many years and are open to the public in most situations.

Fillmore County District Court

All DUI cases in Fillmore County go through the Fillmore County District Court in Preston. The court handles criminal traffic matters including DWI charges, implied consent violations, and related offenses. Court Administrator Darlene Larson oversees the clerk's office and manages records access. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The courthouse is at 101 Fillmore Street E. in Preston. Public parking is available in the lot on the east side of the building, and there is on-street parking too. If you need to call ahead, the phone number is (507) 765-6021. The fax number is (507) 765-4571. Fillmore County is part of the Third Judicial District, which also covers Dodge, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona counties.

Finding DUI Records in Fillmore County

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the quickest way to search Fillmore County DUI records. It is free. No account is needed. You pick the court location, type in a name or case number, and the system shows you what it has. For DWI cases, you can see charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. The system also shows docket entries so you can track what happened at each step of the case.

There are some limits to what MCRO shows. Pending criminal cases where the defendant has not been convicted yet may not come up in a name search. If you know the case number, you can search that way instead. Documents filed before July 1, 2015 may have limited availability online. For older Fillmore County DUI records, you might need to visit the courthouse or call the clerk.

The BCA criminal history search is another option. It costs $8 per name and uses fingerprint-linked data. This catches cases across all Minnesota counties, not just Fillmore. It is a more complete picture if you want to see someone's full DWI history statewide.

DUI Charges Filed in Fillmore County

Minnesota groups DWI offenses into four degrees. The degree depends on prior convictions and aggravating factors present at the time of arrest. Under Statute 169A.20, it is a crime to drive or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating substance. A BAC of 0.08 or more is per se illegal.

In Fillmore County, a first-time DWI with no aggravating factors is charged as a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Add one aggravating factor and it jumps to third degree, which is a gross misdemeanor. Two or more aggravating factors push it to second degree. Aggravating factors include a BAC at or above 0.16, a prior DWI within ten years, or having a child under 16 in the vehicle. First-degree DWI under Statute 169A.24 is a felony. It applies when someone has three or more prior qualified impaired driving incidents within ten years, or has a prior felony DWI conviction.

Refusing a chemical test triggers implied consent penalties under Statute 169A.52. The refusal itself is a crime. It can be charged as a gross misdemeanor or felony depending on your record.

Fillmore County DUI Record Details

When you pull up a DUI record from Fillmore County, the file contains a detailed account of the criminal case. The complaint describes the arrest, the charges, and the evidence. You can see the BAC test results, the officer's report summary, and any aggravating factors that were alleged. Court filings track every motion and hearing from the first appearance through sentencing or dismissal.

The disposition shows the final outcome. Did the person plead guilty? Was there a trial? Was the case dropped? Sentencing records spell out the punishment: jail time, fines, probation conditions, community service, treatment programs. If the judge ordered an ignition interlock device under Statute 171.306, that condition appears in the record as well. These records are public. Anyone can request them from the clerk.

Fillmore County Court Resources

The Fillmore County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site lists the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and parking details for DUI case inquiries.

From this page you can also find links to the weekly public court calendar, which shows scheduled DWI hearings and other criminal traffic matters in Fillmore County.

The MCRO search portal below is where you run online searches for Fillmore County DUI cases.

Select Fillmore County from the drop-down list and enter the information you have. Results show up right away for most cases that have a public record on file.

License Effects of a Fillmore County DWI

A DUI arrest in Fillmore County puts your license at risk right away. The implied consent process is separate from the criminal case. When you fail or refuse a test, the officer sends notice to the Department of Public Safety. Your license gets revoked unless you challenge it within a short window. Under Statute 171.178, reinstatement requires meeting certain conditions based on the offense level and your driving record.

First-time offenders face a 90-day revocation. Second offense within ten years means a full year. The DVS online portal lets you check your license status and find out what steps you need to take to get it back. Some people qualify for limited licenses that let them drive to work or school while the revocation is in effect. The ignition interlock program is another path that can shorten the restricted period.

Nearby Counties

Fillmore County shares borders with several other counties. If a DWI arrest happened near a county line, the case gets filed where the stop took place.