Scott County DUI Records
Scott County DUI records are filed and stored at the Scott County Justice Center in Shakopee. The county sits in the First Judicial District and covers a growing suburban area south of the Twin Cities metro. Law enforcement across Scott County files DWI charges through the district court, and those records become part of the public case file. You can search for DUI records online through the state court system or request copies from court administration directly. This page walks through the ways to access Scott County DUI case information, what those records include, and where to get help if you need it.
Scott County Overview
Scott County District Court DUI Cases
The Scott County Justice Center handles all DUI cases in the county. It is located at 200 Fourth Avenue West in Shakopee. The Court Administrator is Jennifer Everett. Court staff process criminal complaints, schedule hearings, and manage case files for every DWI arrest in Scott County. You can reach them at (952) 496-8200 or by fax at (952) 496-8211.
DUI charges in Scott County follow Minnesota Statute 169A.20, which makes it a crime to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. The legal limit is 0.08 blood alcohol concentration. For commercial vehicles, the limit drops to 0.04. The law also covers cannabis and THC products. Scott County prosecutors file these cases through the First Judicial District, which also covers Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Rice, Carver, and Sibley counties.
Court hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Justice Center has public access terminals where you can search records on site. You can also use the self-help phone line at (651) 435-6535 if you have questions about forms or procedures.
| Court | Scott County District Court - First Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address | Scott County Justice Center 200 Fourth Avenue West Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Phone | (952) 496-8200 |
| Fax | (952) 496-8211 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Scott County |
Search Scott County DUI Records Online
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the best way to search for DUI records in Scott County from home. It is free. You do not need an account just to search, but creating one gives you access to document downloads. Enter the person's last name and first name, then look through the results for DWI-related case types.
MCRO shows case details including charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. You can view the register of actions, which lists every filing and event in the case. Public documents attached to the case are available for viewing and download at no charge. Keep in mind that documents filed before July 1, 2015 may have limited availability online. For those older Scott County DUI records, you may need to request copies directly from the court.
Scott County also has a specific copy request process. You can submit a request by email, fax, or mail. Use the Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form. Include the case number if you have it, or provide the full name and date of birth of the person. Court staff will pull the file and let you know the cost. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card.
Note: Pending DUI cases without a conviction may not appear in MCRO name searches, but you can still find them by citation or case number.
Scott County Court Records Access
The Scott County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website provides key details about the courthouse and how to request records. You can visit the court page to get started.
From this page you can find the courthouse address, contact numbers, and links to local court programs and services. It also connects to the copy request form and court calendar.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offers another way to check for DUI records. The BCA criminal history search costs $8 per name and uses fingerprint-linked data. This catches records that a simple court name search might miss. It is more thorough than MCRO for criminal history purposes.
The MCRO search page lets you look up DUI records across all Minnesota counties including Scott County.
DUI Charges and Penalties in Scott County
Minnesota grades DWI offenses from fourth degree to first degree. A fourth-degree DWI under Section 169A.27 is a misdemeanor. It applies when there are no aggravating factors. The max is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Most first-time Scott County DUI cases fall here.
Third-degree and second-degree DWI charges are gross misdemeanors. The difference comes down to how many aggravating factors exist. Having a BAC of 0.16 or above counts as one. A prior DWI within ten years is another. Having a child in the vehicle adds another. Two or more factors make it second degree. The penalties for gross misdemeanors go up to one year in jail and $3,000 in fines.
First-degree DWI under Section 169A.24 is a felony. It kicks in when someone has three or more qualified prior incidents in ten years or has a previous felony DWI. The sentence can be up to seven years in prison. Repeat offenders also face mandatory ignition interlock under Section 171.306. The device must stay on the vehicle for at least two years and in some cases for life.
License revocation is separate from the criminal case. Under Section 169A.52, failing a breath test means automatic revocation for 90 days to one year. Refusing the test bumps that to a minimum one year. The officer issues a temporary 14-day permit at the time of the arrest.
What Scott County DUI Records Contain
A DUI case file in Scott County includes the criminal complaint, which lays out the facts of the stop and the charges. The complaint describes the officer's observations, any field sobriety tests, and the chemical test results. It also lists the specific statute violations charged.
The register of actions tracks every step of the case. You can see when hearings were held, what motions were filed, and how the case ended. If there was a guilty plea or a trial, the outcome is recorded. Sentencing details show up here too. That includes jail time, fines, probation terms, community service, and any treatment programs the court ordered.
DUI records in Scott County are public. You do not need to be involved in the case to request copies. Some documents may be restricted, such as pre-sentence investigation reports or mental health evaluations. But the core case documents including the complaint, docket, and judgment are available to anyone who asks.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Scott County. If the DUI arrest happened close to a county line, the case could be filed in one of these neighboring jurisdictions instead.