Pope County DUI Records
Pope County DUI records are kept at the District Court in Glenwood, which is part of the Eighth Judicial District in west-central Minnesota. Searching for a DWI case here can be done online through the state's free court records portal or by contacting the courthouse directly. Pope County has a small population and a rural landscape dotted with lakes that draw visitors during the warmer months. The District Court handles all criminal and traffic matters for the county, and DUI charges go through this same court. On this page, you will find details on how to access DUI records in Pope County, what you can expect in these files, and how Minnesota's impaired driving laws create these case records.
Pope County Overview
Pope County District Court
The Pope County District Court sits at 130 E. Minnesota Avenue in Glenwood. It handles all DUI cases for the county as part of the Eighth Judicial District. The court has jurisdiction over criminal, traffic, family, and civil cases. The Court Administrator, Rachel Schmidt, oversees records and daily court operations.
Pope County is home to Lake Minnewaska and several other popular fishing and recreation lakes. Summer weekends bring more traffic to the county roads, and law enforcement watches for impaired drivers during these busy times. Any DWI arrest in Pope County creates a case at this courthouse. Under Statute 169A.20, driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or above is a crime. The same statute covers driving impaired by drugs or cannabis.
| Court | Pope County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Pope County Courthouse 130 E. Minnesota Avenue Glenwood, MN 56334 |
| Phone | (320) 424-7170 |
| Fax | (320) 634-5527 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Pope County |
How to Find Pope County DUI Records
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the main tool for searching Pope County DUI records. It is free. Choose Pope County from the county list, enter a name or case number, and view the results. The system shows charges, case status, hearing dates, and the register of actions for each case.
Documents filed after July 1, 2015 are typically available to view and download from MCRO. Older records may require a direct request to the Court Administrator. You can call (320) 424-7170, fax your request to (320) 634-5527, or visit the courthouse in Glenwood. If you don't have a case number, include the full name, date of birth, and any other details about the case.
For a statewide criminal history search, the BCA offers a search for $8 per name. It covers DUI convictions across all Minnesota counties and uses fingerprint matching for identification. The State Law Library provides guides on how to use both MCRO and the BCA system.
Note: Street parking is available near the courthouse in Glenwood; arrive early on days with scheduled court hearings as spots can fill up.
Pope County Court Information
Visit the Pope County court page for contact details, hearing calendars, and links to online search tools.
The court calendar is posted weekly at 7:00 a.m. and updated hourly during business days. Check it to find scheduled DUI hearings in Pope County.
DUI Penalties That Apply in Pope County
DUI cases in Pope County follow Minnesota's statewide penalty framework. The charge level depends on the driver's history and the circumstances of the arrest.
Fourth-degree DWI is a misdemeanor under Statute 169A.27. It applies when there are no aggravating factors. The maximum penalty is 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines. When one aggravating factor is present, the charge rises to third degree under Statute 169A.26, a gross misdemeanor. Aggravating factors include a BAC of 0.16 or higher, a prior DWI within ten years, or having a child under 16 in the vehicle.
Second-degree DWI requires two or more aggravating factors. First-degree DWI is a felony under Statute 169A.24. It applies to drivers with three or more prior incidents in ten years, or those with a prior felony DWI. Penalties can reach seven years in prison and $14,000 in fines.
Every one of these charges creates a public court record at the Pope County District Court that anyone can search.
License Actions for Pope County DUI Arrests
Getting arrested for DUI in Pope County starts two separate processes. One is the criminal case at the District Court. The other is the administrative license revocation handled by the state Department of Public Safety.
Under Statute 169A.52, a breath test failure at 0.08 or above results in a 90-day license revocation for a first offense. Refusing the test brings a full year. A BAC at twice the legal limit also triggers a one-year revocation. The officer issues a 14-day temporary license at the scene.
Eligible drivers can apply for the ignition interlock program. Under Statute 171.306, the device stops the car from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath. The Driver and Vehicle Services division runs the program. Minimum participation is two years. License reinstatement rules under Statute 171.178 set the conditions that must be met before a driver can get their license back after a DWI.
Public Access Search Tool
The MCRO system provides free access to Pope County DUI records and court filings across Minnesota.
The search tool is available around the clock. Select Pope County and enter a name or case number to start looking up records.
Cities in Pope County
Pope County includes Glenwood, Starbuck, Villard, Lowry, and several smaller communities. All DWI cases from these areas are processed at the District Court in Glenwood.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pope County. DUI charges are filed in the county where the arrest happened.