Minnesota Appellate Judge Pleads Guilty to Drunk Driving Charge
A Minnesota Court of Appeals judge has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, according to a recent court ruling. Renee Worke, 67, of Owatonna, waived her right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty to one count of driving with a blood alcohol content above 0.08.
Worke, an elected Minnesota Court of Appeals judge, was taken into custody on November 29 after a Steele County Sheriff’s deputy found her vehicle stuck in a snowbank on U.S. Highway 14. According to the complaint filed in Steele County District Court, Worke told the deputy she had consumed a glass of wine two hours prior to the incident. A breath test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16, twice the legal limit.
Probation and Fines
As a result of her guilty plea, Worke was sentenced to one year of probation, a $500 fine, and ordered to perform 15 hours of community work service within a year. She is also required to abstain from alcohol for a year under the terms of her probation. Steele County Attorney Robert Jarrett stated that the case was handled without consideration of Worke’s position or status, and the probation term and conditions are consistent with how similarly situated first-time DWI offenders with no prior record are handled.
Worke has been a Minnesota Court of Appeals judge since June 9, 2005, and has been re-elected to the position in 2006, 2012, 2018, and 2024. Her case highlights the importance of accountability and the rule of law, even for those in positions of authority. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities in the United States, resulting in over 10,000 deaths in 2020 alone.
Conclusion
The guilty plea and sentencing of Judge Worke serve as a reminder of the seriousness of drunk driving and the need for all individuals to take responsibility for their actions. As a public figure, Worke’s case may help raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of seeking help for those struggling with substance abuse. For more information on this case, visit Here
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