Lake of the Woods County DUI Records

Lake of the Woods County DUI records are kept at the District Court in Baudette, Minnesota. This is one of the most remote counties in the state, sitting along the Canadian border in the far north. The Ninth Judicial District handles all DWI cases here. You can search Lake of the Woods County DUI records online for free through the state's court records system. The courthouse in Baudette also takes requests in person, by mail, and by fax. Court Administrator Pamala Shaw oversees the office and manages all case files. Despite the county's small size, impaired driving cases still come through the court regularly.

Lake of the Woods County DUI Court

The Lake of the Woods County District Court handles all DUI cases filed in the county. The courthouse is at 206 8th Avenue SE, Suite 250, in Baudette. It is part of the Ninth Judicial District, which covers a large area of northern Minnesota. The court has full jurisdiction over criminal, traffic, civil, family, and juvenile matters.

Court hours run Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. That is a bit different from most Minnesota courthouses, which close at 4:30. Court Administrator Pamala Shaw runs the office. You can reach the court by phone at (218) 634-1451 or by fax at (218) 634-9444. There is free parking at the courthouse.

DWI charges in Lake of the Woods County are filed after an arrest by the sheriff's office or state patrol. The county attorney reviews the arrest report and decides what degree of DWI to charge under Statute 169A.20. Highway 11 runs through the county, and it sees traffic from cross-border travelers heading to and from Canada. The implied consent law under Statute 169A.51 requires drivers to submit to chemical testing when lawfully arrested for DWI.

Searching Lake of the Woods County DUI Records

Use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system to search Lake of the Woods County DUI records from anywhere. It is free. Enter the person's name, a case number, or a citation number. The system pulls results from the District Court, showing charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.

Documents filed after July 1, 2015 are available online at no charge. Older records may need a direct request to the court. Call (218) 634-1451 or send a request by fax to (218) 634-9444. Staff can search their files and mail you copies.

When using MCRO, keep in mind that pending cases without a conviction may not come up in name searches. The case number is needed for those. The BCA criminal history system is a separate tool that costs $8 per name and checks the statewide criminal history database.

Below is a screenshot of the Lake of the Woods County court page on the state judicial branch website.

This page shows the court's contact details, hours, and weekly court calendar.

DUI Offense Degrees in Lake of the Woods County

Minnesota uses a four-degree system for DWI charges. Lake of the Woods County follows the same rules as the rest of the state.

Fourth-degree DWI is a misdemeanor under Statute 169A.27. No aggravating factors are present. This is the typical first-offense charge. Third-degree is a gross misdemeanor under Statute 169A.26, triggered by one aggravating factor such as a BAC of 0.16 or higher, a prior DWI within ten years, or having a child in the vehicle. Second-degree requires two or more aggravating factors.

First-degree DWI is a felony. Under Statute 169A.24, it applies when the driver has three or more qualified prior incidents within ten years or a prior felony DWI. The maximum penalty is seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine. Even in a small county like Lake of the Woods, felony DWI cases do come through the court.

The judge follows state sentencing guidelines. In Lake of the Woods County, some cases may involve treatment court programs or alternative sentencing, particularly for first-time offenders willing to complete chemical dependency treatment.

License Revocation for Lake of the Woods DUI

A DUI arrest in Lake of the Woods County triggers an automatic license revocation from the Department of Public Safety. The criminal case and the license action are two separate things. Under Statute 169A.52, failing a breath test means 90 days without a license for a first offense. Refusing the test means a full year. A BAC at or above 0.16 also triggers one year.

You get a temporary 14-day license from the arresting officer. After that, the revocation takes effect unless you challenge it. The timeline for filing a challenge is tight, so you need to act right away.

The ignition interlock program allows some drivers to get restricted driving privileges during the revocation period. The device tests your breath before the engine starts. If your BAC is 0.02 or higher, the car will not start. Program lengths range from two years up to ten or more. After completing all requirements, full license reinstatement follows Statute 171.178.

Lake of the Woods County DUI Record Contents

A DUI record from Lake of the Woods County includes the criminal complaint, probable cause statement, and test results. The complaint describes the charges filed by the county attorney. The probable cause statement details what happened during the stop and arrest.

More documents get added as the case progresses. Hearing notes, motions, plea deals, and court orders all become part of the file. The register of actions tracks every step from filing to final disposition. If the person was convicted, the sentencing order shows the penalties.

The MCRO search tool screenshot below covers Lake of the Woods County DUI records.

This free system lets you search DUI and other court records from all 87 Minnesota counties.

DUI records in Lake of the Woods County are public. Anyone can request copies. The court administrator in Baudette provides both plain and certified copies. Certified copies have the court seal and cost more. Records involving juveniles are restricted, and sealed documents require a court order to access.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Lake of the Woods County in northern Minnesota. DUI cases are filed where the arrest took place.