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Frequently Asked Questions |
| Do you open locked vehicles? |
| Yes. Most vehicles can be opened;
however there are some exceptions depending on the make and year of the
vehicle.
In an average year, the Detroit Lakes Police Department opens around 1200 vehicles. This is a free service provided to our community, although donations are accepted and all funds go towards a program at Saint Mary's Hospital designed to outfit new parents with child safety seats. Please be aware that vehicle unlocks are generally handled
as our resources and time permit. Emergency calls or other
important situations must take precedence. There may be situations where a Police Officer cannot respond to unlock your vehicle or is unable to open it even after several attempts. In these cases, we suggest contacting a locksmith. They are listed in the yellow pages under "Locksmiths". Here are some local listings of mobile lockout services we would recommend. These services also provide towing, jumpstarts, fuel delivery, and other emergency road service. Lakes Country Towing (218) 844-5480 and DL Towing* (218) 847-6362. * AAA Emergency Road Service |
| Where do I apply for an Order For Protection or Harassment Restraining Order? |
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If you feel you are in physical danger from someone or being harassed,
you should contact the Becker County Court Administration at the Becker
County Courthouse on weekdays during normal business hours. You will
need to appear in person to fill out the required forms and there is a
filing fee for the paperwork. In some cases, the fee can be waived.
Questions? Call Court Administration at
(218) 846-7305.
The Lakes Crisis Center also assists those in fear of harm of domestic assault and other personal crimes. They can assist with filing out all the required paperwork, providing safe houses, having a court advocate with you, and assisting you with the entire procedure whether or not you are seeking a Order For Protection. Also, the Crisis Center's services are free of charge and any filing or court fees are waived if you are victim of a domestic assault or other personal crime. The Lakes Crisis Center can be
contacted for emergencies 24-hours a day at
(218) 847-7446. |
| Where do I pay my fine? |
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| Where do I get a permit to purchase/carry a concealed firearm? |
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Applications can be picked up at the Becker County Sheriff's Office or
the Detroit Lakes Police Department; they must be filed with the agency
that covers the jurisdiction in which you live. An extensive background
check will be performed on all applicants. Gun locks are also available
at these locations for free to help maintain a safe household if you
have children.
Carrying a Firearm
without a valid permit or in plain view can be a serious crime.
Minnesota Law also requires ALL Firearms being transported in a motor vehicle
to be unloaded and properly cased in a separate
area of the vehicle at all times. |
| What is the difference between Civil and Criminal court? |
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Civil law is a complicated situation. Often Law Enforcement finds itself in the position of handling complaints that may appear to be criminal but are actually civil matters. Other times, the threshold may cross into criminal law and require further intervention. There is no clear line distinguishing the two of them and it can often be a confusing and frustrating experience for everyone involved. Please note that this is
only a resource and should not be considered actual legal advice. There
are always exceptions and special situations that the law cannot always
foresee and you should consult an attorney specializing in civil cases
for representation or answers to your specific type of case. |
* Parental Child Custody and Visitation Issues * Ownership and Distribution of Marital Property from a Divorce * Personal Agreements made for Lending Property, Money, etc. * Tenant and Landlord Disputes * Business Contracts or other Written Agreements * Jointly or co-owned Property with another * Living areas shared either for a room-mate or temporarily for a guest. * Repossession of Vehicles by a Bank or the Leasing Company * Possessory Lien situations A possessory lien is a situation where someone gains temporary control over property besides the owner. This type of situations is not Theft and Minnesota Civil Law allows for certain types of business and personal agreements to fall under this situation. For the above situations and similar incidents, you will have to contact the Becker County Court Administration and make arrangements to settle the dispute in Civil Court. If you are a Tenant or Landlord, we also suggest checking our section under Tenants and Landlords listing many 'Bill of Rights' to see if your situation may be resolved some other way.
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| When do I have to report a motor vehicle accident? |
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Minor dents and dings (aka fender benders) generally do not need to be reported to Law Enforcement as long as both parties exchange contact and insurance information. Crashes that involve personal injury (or suspected injuries) damages of $1000 or more per vehicle, and anytime illegal activity is suspected such as DWI or No Insurance, are required by Law to be reported immediately. If you crash into a unoccupied car but nobody was hurt and the damage does not appear to be over $1000, the law requires you to leave your full contact information and insurance in a visible place for the owner/driver to see and later contact you. Failure to do so can be considered leaving the scene of an accident and Law Enforcement may pursue criminal charges against you. Minnesota
Law requires every person, whether driving your own car or that of
another person, at all times, to have current proof of insurance
with them at all times. This proof must be presented to a Police Officer
upon demand. |
| How do I get a copy of a Police Report? |
| Contact our
office at (218)
847-4222 regarding
obtaining copies of police reports. There is a minimal fee required for
making copies or certain types of research.
Data Privacy Laws specify what information we can
release as public and what is considered private. Ask one of our
secretaries if you have further questions about this. |
| Where do you take stray dogs and cats? |
| Animals are
kept at Lucky Dog Kennels in the new industrial park. If you have lost a
pet or looking to adopt one, you can contact them during any business
hours at 847-4100 or visit the
Lucky Dog
Website. The Lucky Dog Shelter does not euthanize animals except in extreme cases of injury or illness. They take very good care of all furry critters who visit their facility. |
| What things should I be aware of for winter driving? |
| Visitors
unfamiliar with Minnesota's harsh winters or those who don't respect the
dangers of winter driving can find themselves in for a rude awakening if
they are not prepared.
Snow and Ice make driving
conditions hazardous and dangerous during the winter months. the best
advice is to always carry a winter survival kit that includes warm
blankets, temporary food and water, flashlights, and extra supplies such
as a shovel, gloves, scarves, and hats. If you have a cell-phone, bring
it with you and
Dial 911
if you get stranded. Winter driving conditions also cause several crashes, injuries, and deaths each year. The best advice is to Slow down, Increase your distance between vehicles, Don't use your cruise control, and begin slowing for turns and stops much sooner just in case you encounter the unexpected. "Black Ice" forms when winds blow across the roadway and glazes it clear, giving an illusion that the road is free from ice. This is especially prevalent during the night-time hours or between patches of snow. You will find yourself out of control if you try to accelerate or quickly turn on these types of conditions. Watch the local forecast and stay
informed of incoming storms or other weather advisories. Links on our
main homepage also can give you the latest updates on current
road conditions,
weather,
and dangerous alerts. |
| Where do I take the Driver's Test and get License Plates? |
| Most driver’s testing and motor
vehicle inspections are done at the National Guard Armory located on
south Rossman avenue, located across from the Rossman Elementary
School.
Some of them are conducted at the State
Patrol regional office. You can check with
either location to arrange for renewing or owning a driver's license. Registration issues (license plates) are handled at the Becker County Courthouse. For new residents to Minnesota, please be aware that you have 60 days to get current Minnesota license plates and a Minnesota driver's license. The written/vision test is still required even if you have been previously licensed in another state. There is also a direct link to the Minnesota DVS website < -- click here!
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Further Questions? Please contact our office at 847-4222! |
