Rice County DUI Records

Rice County DUI records are maintained at the District Court in Faribault, which serves the Third Judicial District. You can search for DWI cases online using the state's free court records system or visit the courthouse to request copies. Rice County sits in southern Minnesota along the I-35 corridor, between the Twin Cities metro and the Iowa border. The county includes the cities of Faribault and Northfield, and its court handles all criminal and traffic matters, including impaired driving charges. This page covers how to search Rice County DUI records, the DWI laws that apply, and how to get copies of court documents.

Rice County DUI Court Records

The Rice County District Court handles all DUI and DWI cases in the county. It sits in the county seat of Faribault and is part of the Third Judicial District. The court has jurisdiction over criminal, traffic, civil, and family matters. All impaired driving charges from anywhere in Rice County end up at this courthouse.

Rice County includes Faribault and Northfield, home to Carleton College and St. Olaf College. I-35 runs through the county, and DWI enforcement stays active along the highway and on county roads. Under Statute 169A.20, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above is a crime. The same law covers driving while impaired by drugs, cannabis, or THC products. Every DWI charge creates a court record in Rice County.

The court posts a daily calendar at 7:00 p.m. for the next day's hearings and updates it hourly beginning at 7:00 a.m. Monitors near the Court Administration Office show the schedule. For remote hearing support, call (507) 497-7134.

How to Find Rice County DUI Records

The main way to look up DUI records in Rice County is through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). It is free. Select Rice County from the drop-down, enter a name or case number, and view the matching results. The system displays charges, case status, hearing dates, and the register of actions for each case.

MCRO shows documents that were filed electronically after July 1, 2015. You can view and download them at no cost. Older Rice County DUI records may require a direct request to the Court Administrator. You can visit the courthouse in Faribault during business hours, call, or mail in a request. If you don't have a case number, provide as much detail as you can, including the full name, date of birth, and date of the offense.

The BCA criminal history search is another tool. It costs $8 per name and covers DUI convictions statewide. The BCA uses fingerprint matching for identification. The State Law Library has guides on using both MCRO and the BCA system effectively.

Rice County Court Resources

The Rice County court page provides court contact details, the daily calendar, and links to online search tools.

The daily calendar is displayed on monitors near the Court Administration Office on the top floor and at ground level. It helps you check when DUI hearings are scheduled.

DWI Penalties in Rice County

Rice County DUI cases follow Minnesota's four-degree penalty structure. The charge level depends on prior offenses and aggravating factors present at the time of arrest.

A fourth-degree DWI under Statute 169A.27 is a misdemeanor. It applies when no aggravating factors exist. Up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines. Third-degree DWI under Statute 169A.26 is a gross misdemeanor with one aggravating factor present. Aggravating factors include a BAC of 0.16 or higher, a prior DWI within ten years, or a child under 16 in the vehicle.

Second-degree DWI requires two or more aggravating factors. First-degree DWI under Statute 169A.24 is a felony. Three or more prior incidents in ten years triggers this charge. Penalties include up to seven years in prison and $14,000 in fines. All of these charges create case records at the Rice County District Court in Faribault.

License Actions for Rice County DUI Arrests

A DUI arrest in Rice County starts two separate processes. The criminal case goes to the District Court. The license revocation is administrative, handled by the Department of Public Safety.

Under Statute 169A.52, a first-time breath test failure at 0.08 or above leads to a 90-day license revocation. Test refusal results in one year. If the BAC is twice the legal limit, the revocation jumps to one year even on a first offense. The officer gives the driver a 14-day temporary license at the scene.

The ignition interlock program under Statute 171.306 lets some drivers get restricted driving privileges during revocation. The DVS division runs the program. Minimum participation is two years. License reinstatement rules under Statute 171.178 spell out what drivers must do to get their license restored after a DWI.

MCRO Search Tool

The MCRO case search covers Rice County DUI records alongside all other Minnesota counties.

Available 24 hours a day. Select Rice County and enter a name or case number to get started.

Cities in Rice County

Rice County includes Faribault, Northfield, Lonsdale, Dundas, and other communities. All DUI cases from these areas go through the District Court in Faribault.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Rice County. DUI charges get filed where the arrest happened.