Lyon County DUI Records

Lyon County DUI records are held at the District Court in Marshall, Minnesota. The Fifth Judicial District oversees all criminal and traffic cases in the county, including DWI charges filed by the county attorney. You can search Lyon County DUI records for free through the state court records system online, or visit the courthouse in Marshall to get copies in person. The court administrator manages all case files and handles records requests during regular business hours. Lyon County is in the southwestern part of the state, and Marshall is the largest city in the county. Whether you need to check on a past DWI case or a current filing, there are several ways to get what you need.

Lyon County District Court DUI Cases

All DUI cases in Lyon County go through the District Court in Marshall. The courthouse is at 607 W. Main Street. Court Administrator Aimee Primus manages the office and oversees case records. The court is part of the Fifth Judicial District, which covers 15 counties across southern Minnesota.

You can reach the Lyon County court at (507) 706-7050. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. One thing to note: the court cannot accept payments after 2:30 PM on the last business day of each month. There is free parking available at the courthouse, both in the surface lot and on the street.

DWI charges in Lyon County start when law enforcement makes an arrest. The Marshall Police Department, Lyon County Sheriff's Office, and Minnesota State Patrol all make DWI arrests in the area. The county attorney reviews the arrest report and files the criminal complaint at the courthouse. Under Minnesota Statute 169A.20, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 or more is a crime. The same statute covers impairment from drugs, cannabis, or a mix of substances.

The court offers eCheck-in for criminal, juvenile delinquency, and CHIPS cases. This lets defendants check in electronically before their scheduled hearing instead of waiting in line at the courthouse.

How to Search Lyon County DUI Records

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the primary way to search Lyon County DUI records. It is free and available to the public. You can search by the defendant's name, case number, or citation number. Results show charges, hearing schedules, and the final disposition from the Lyon County District Court.

Public documents filed after July 1, 2015 can be viewed and downloaded online. For older Lyon County DUI records, call the court at (507) 706-7050. Staff can look through the archives and make copies. You can also send a written request by mail or fax.

To get the most out of your search:

• Use the full legal name with correct spelling
• Have an approximate date range if possible
• Case numbers and citation numbers give the fastest results

There are limits to what MCRO shows. Pending criminal cases without a conviction do not appear in name searches. You need the actual case number. The BCA criminal history search is a different tool that costs $8 per name and pulls from the statewide criminal history database. It covers convictions but does not show the full court file like MCRO does.

The Lyon County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website is shown in the screenshot below.

This page lists the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and links to the weekly court calendar for Lyon County.

DWI Degrees in Lyon County Cases

Lyon County DUI cases are charged under Minnesota's four-degree system. The county attorney decides the charge based on prior incidents and aggravating factors present at the time of arrest.

A fourth-degree DWI is a misdemeanor. No aggravating factors. This is the most common charge for first-time offenders in Lyon County with a BAC below 0.16. Penalties include up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, though many first offenses result in probation.

Third-degree under Statute 169A.26 and second-degree under Statute 169A.25 are both gross misdemeanors. One aggravating factor puts it at third degree. Two or more puts it at second. Aggravating factors include high BAC, prior DWI within ten years, and a child under 16 in the car. Up to a year in jail and $3,000 in fines.

First-degree DWI under Statute 169A.24 is a felony charge. Three or more qualified prior incidents in ten years, or a prior felony DWI conviction, puts the case at this level. The maximum sentence is seven years in prison and $14,000 in fines. Lyon County follows state sentencing guidelines for all DWI cases.

License Revocation After a Lyon County DUI

A DUI arrest in Lyon County immediately starts a license revocation through the Department of Public Safety. This administrative action runs separate from the criminal case at the courthouse. The arresting officer files a report with DVS, and the process kicks off.

Under Statute 169A.52, a first-time test failure leads to a 90-day revocation. Refusing the test means one year. A BAC of 0.16 or above also triggers a one-year revocation. You get a temporary 14-day license, and then the revocation begins unless you challenge it through an administrative hearing or court petition.

The ignition interlock program is available to Lyon County drivers who want to drive during the revocation period. The device measures your breath alcohol before the car will start. If it detects a BAC of 0.02 or more, the engine stays off. Participation periods vary from two to over ten years. Full license reinstatement after completing all requirements follows Statute 171.178.

You can check a driver's license status online at drive.mn.gov. The site shows if a license is valid, revoked, or canceled.

What Lyon County DUI Records Include

A DUI record from Lyon County contains the full case file. The criminal complaint and probable cause statement come first. These describe the charges and the circumstances of the arrest, including the officer's observations, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results.

Court proceedings add more to the file as the case progresses. Hearing records, motions, plea agreements, and orders from the judge all get filed. The register of actions tracks every event in the case. The final disposition shows the outcome. If there was a conviction, the sentencing order lays out the specific penalties imposed.

Below is a screenshot of the MCRO search system used for Lyon County DUI records.

MCRO covers all 87 Minnesota counties and is free to use for searching court records.

Lyon County DUI records are public. Anyone can request copies from the court administrator. You do not need to be part of the case. Plain copies are cheaper. Certified copies carry the court seal and cost more. Juvenile records are restricted, and sealed documents are not available without a court order.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lyon County in southwestern Minnesota. DUI cases are filed in the county where the arrest happened.