CLOQUET, Minn. (Northern News Now) – A woman with 10 prior DWI-related convictions was taken into custody again after deputies say she admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana after being pulled over.
France Smith, 61, of Cloquet, was charged with a DWI and refusing to submit a DWI test.
In addition, she was charged with misdemeanors for driving without insurance and not having rear lights on the car to illuminate the license plate.
According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 20 deputies were traveling on 14th Street nearing Carlton Avenue in Cloquet when they saw a red F-150 truck stopped at the four-way intersection.
There were no other vehicles at the intersection and the truck hesitated to move.
Authorities say they waited for the truck to move forward and noticed the truck did not have a rear license plate light.
They then ran the license plate which showed Smith had a revoked license.
During the traffic stop, Smith could not provide a license or insurance.
Deputies say she smelled of alcohol, had glossy, bloodshot eyes, and her speech was “heavily slurred.”
Smith was arrested after allegedly admitting to drinking beer and smoking marijuana.
After being brought to the Carlton County Law Enforcement Center, it was reported Smith became belligerent.
Court documents say she started yelling profanities and racial slurs.
Smith also allegedly asked the deputy to take her handcuffs off stating, “I’ll show you what I’m made of.”
She also refused to take a breath alcohol test.
Smith is looking at up to seven years behind bars for the incident.
Her bail was set at $5,000 and is still in custody at the time of publication.
She will be back in court on Jan. 13.
Smith has had 10 prior DWI-related convictions spanning from 1995-2021.
Additionally, on Dec. 16 she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault in a separate case.
The incident happened in June after a confrontation with a family member.
Court documents say a woman was injured after Smith slammed a door in her face after she would not let Smith drive while intoxicated.
She is scheduled to be sentenced in that case on Jan. 31.
CREDIT: Northern News Now Hayley Raatsi
