Pine County Commissioner Doug Carlson, 68, was sentenced to five days in Kanabec County Jail (of which two are already served), ten days of house arrest after the jail time, $912 in fines and fees and two years of probation for third degree DWI and obstructing the legal process/interfering with a police officer.

Because of a prior DWI on record in Pine County from August 1997, the third degree DWI charge is a gross misdemeanor. The obstructing charge is a misdemeanor.

Other probation conditions include 12 hours community service, attending an Alcoholics Anonymous orientation meeting and attending a MADD victim impact panel. If conditions are not met, Carlson could serve his full sentence of 365 days for the DWI, 95 days for the obstructing charge and a combined $3,300 more in fines.

Carlson, of Sandstone, is a former state representative and now a commissioner from the fifth district (Sandstone and Askov). He was sentenced in Wright County District Court on July 17, due to a conflict of interest in Pine County.

According to the criminal complaint, Carlson was arrested about 9 p.m. on the night of Monday, Dec. 17 by Pine County Sheriff Deputy Dan Kunz for DWI and obstructing justice by resisting arrest.

Kunz was on patrol on County Road 30 when he observed a pickup truck with lights on and stopped on Little Sand Creek Road. The police report states Kunz made contact with Carlson, the automobile’s only occupant. Kunz smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle and asked Carlson if everything was alright. Carlson responded that he was talking on his cell phone. Kunz noted that Carlson’s speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and watery.

Kunz asked Carlson if he had been drinking and he said he’d had two drinks but wasn’t sure. Kunz asked Carlson to perform field sobriety tests, and Carlson agreed but failed all three of the administered tests.

When Kunz asked Carlson to take a preliminary breath test, Carlson refused. Kunz had told Carlson to remain in front of the squad car for the tests, but Carlson began heading toward his own vehicle stating “you can follow me home.” Kunz ran over to close the truck’s driver side door to prevent Carlson from entering.

Kunz informed Carlson that he was placing him under arrest. Kunz attempted to put handcuffs on Carlson, but he resisted. Kunz repeatedly ordered Carlson to place his hands behind his back, but Carlson refused and pulled his arms away, continuing to struggle. Carlson then tucked his arms into his body to prevent himself from being cuffed, but Kunz was able to place the handcuffs on one wrist.

Then Carlson grabbed the bumper of the squad car and would not let go. Kunz was finally able to cuff the other wrist, and Carlson was transported to the Pine County Detention Center.

Kunz read Carlson the Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory, and Carlson stated he didn’t understand what was read and wanted a definition of “reasonable” and “unreasonable.” Kunz read the advisory three more times with Carlson stating each time that he didn’t understand and wanted the definition of “reasonable” and “unreasonable.” Carlson indicated that he did not wish to speak with an attorney, and Kunz asked him if he would take a test of his blood, breath or urine. Carlson said he would not take the test until he was given an explanation of “reasonable” and “unreasonable.” Kunz asked Carlson three more times to provide a test of his blood, breath or urine, and each time he refused.

Kunz told Carlson that he would give him some time to think about taking the tests that were offered and after 15 minutes, asked Carlson again to take a test. Carlson refused again, stating that he wanted the definition of “reasonable” and “unreasonable.” Kunz informed Carlson that he was being charged with DWI test refusal and obstruction.