Minnesota appeals judge Renee Worke pleads guilty, sentenced for November DWI
Minnesota Court of Appeals judge Renee Lee Worke pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DWI in connection with a November 2025 Black Friday crash in which her vehicle was found in a snowbank along Highway 14 near I‑35 in Owatonna. She formally entered the plea in court, acknowledged the offense and accepted responsibility, and has been sentenced.
📌 Key Facts
- Minnesota state appellate Judge Renee Lee Worke formally entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor DWI charge tied to a November 2025 incident.
- The charge stems from a Black Friday crash in which Worke’s vehicle was found in a snowbank along Highway 14 near I-35 in Owatonna.
- The guilty plea was entered in court and reported by TwinCities on January 5, 2026.
- In court, Worke acknowledged the offense and made statements accepting responsibility, providing additional context beyond earlier sentencing-focused reports.
- The information consolidates reporting from TwinCities (Pioneer Press) about the November incident and Worke’s subsequent court acknowledgment and plea.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2021, 72% of DWI offenders in Minnesota were male, compared to males comprising approximately 49% of the population.
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol — Minnesota Department of Health
From September 1, 2002, to June 30, 2023, 62.6% of felony DWI prison admissions in Minnesota were White, despite White people comprising approximately 78% of the state's population, indicating underrepresentation.
Minnesota Felony Driving While Impaired Report 2023 — Minnesota Department of Corrections
In Minnesota, winter months produce more traffic crashes than summer months, but these crashes are less severe and result in fewer deaths, potentially due to weather-related factors reducing speeds and severity.
A Report on the State of Traffic Safety in Minnesota in 2023 — Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD)
In Minnesota from 2020 to 2023, alcohol was involved in 30.3% of fatal crashes and 20.1% of serious injury crashes, with alcohol impairing driver maneuvering and contributing to crash severity.
A Report on the State of Traffic Safety in Minnesota in 2023 — Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD)
In Minnesota in 2022, Black adults were 6.1 times more likely to be arrested than White adults, with disparities resulting from many factors both in and outside the criminal justice system.
Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Snapshot — Justice Reinvestment Initiative
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that Judge Renee Lee Worke formally entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor DWI charge in connection with the November 2025 incident.
- Clarifies that the plea is specifically tied to the Black Friday crash where her vehicle was found in a snowbank along Highway 14 near I-35 in Owatonna.
- Provides additional context on her acknowledgment of the offense and any statements made in court (e.g., accepting responsibility) beyond what was in the earlier sentencing-focused report.