Minnesota Arrest Records

Is Minnesota an Open Arrest Records State?

Minnesota is classified as an open arrest records state pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive legislation establishes that arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout the state are generally considered public government data. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies must make arrest data accessible to any member of the public who submits a proper request.

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act operates on the fundamental principle that government records should be accessible to citizens to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. Arrest records, which document the apprehension and processing of individuals by law enforcement agencies, are generated and maintained by government entities and therefore fall within the scope of public records. These records serve as documentation of law enforcement activities and are subject to public scrutiny under state law.

While Minnesota maintains an open records policy, certain limitations and exceptions exist regarding the disclosure of arrest information. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, Subdivision 7, specific data elements may be classified as confidential or private under certain circumstances, particularly in cases involving:

Juvenile offenders (governed by Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171)
Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement efforts
Victims of certain crimes where disclosure would threaten personal safety
Undercover law enforcement personnel

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety maintains oversight of the state's criminal history system and coordinates with local agencies to ensure compliance with data practices regulations while balancing public access rights with privacy protections.

How to Look Up Minnesota Arrest Records in 2025

Minnesota residents and other interested parties have multiple avenues to access arrest records throughout the state. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act establishes the legal framework for obtaining these records, and several official channels exist for record retrieval:

Official Government Resources

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system serves as the primary centralized database for accessing court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system allows users to search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest-related court documents. The MCRO system is maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch and provides 24-hour access to public case information.

Minnesota Judicial Branch - State Court Administrator's Office
Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-2474
Minnesota Judicial Branch

County Sheriff's Offices and Police Departments

Local law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records for their jurisdictions. Individuals may request records directly from these agencies by:

Submitting a written request to the records division
Appearing in person at the agency's public counter
Utilizing the agency's online portal (where available)

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
350 South 5th Street, Room 6
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 348-3744
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
425 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-9333
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

The BCA maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information, including arrest data. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.87, the BCA provides public criminal history checks for a statutory fee.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Minnesota Department of Corrections

For information regarding individuals who have been arrested and subsequently incarcerated, the Minnesota Department of Corrections maintains an Offender Locator database that provides custody status and location information for current inmates.

Minnesota Department of Corrections
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55108
(651) 361-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Contents of a Minnesota Arrest Record

Minnesota arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following components:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Home address (may be redacted in certain circumstances)
Identifying marks or tattoos
State identification number (SID)

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Location where the arrest occurred
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint information
Method of arrest (warrant, probable cause, etc.)

Criminal Charges

Statute citations for alleged violations
Classification of offenses (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
Brief narrative of the alleged criminal activity
Case numbers assigned by law enforcement and courts

Procedural Information

Booking date and time
Detention facility information
Bail or bond amount (if applicable)
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if resolved)

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, Subdivision 2, certain data elements within arrest records are explicitly classified as public information, including the time, date, and place of the arrest, the name and age of the arrested individual, and the charges filed. However, other elements may be classified as private or confidential based on statutory exceptions or ongoing investigation status.

Understanding the Minnesota Open Records Act

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13), commonly referred to as the Minnesota Open Records Act, establishes the comprehensive framework governing public access to government records, including arrest data. This legislation, enacted to promote government transparency and accountability, operates under the presumption that government data is public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law.

Key Provisions Affecting Arrest Records

Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 specifically addresses law enforcement data, including arrest records. This section establishes that the following data elements are public:

Basic identification information of arrested individuals
Date, time, and location of arrests
Factual basis for arrests
Charges filed
Responses to arrest incidents

The statute further delineates specific circumstances under which certain arrest data may be classified as private or confidential, such as:

Data that would identify confidential informants (§ 13.82, Subd. 10)
Investigative data while a case remains active (§ 13.82, Subd. 7)
Juvenile arrest data (§ 260B.171)
Data that would impede an ongoing investigation

Requesting Arrest Records

Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must provide reasonably prompt access to public data upon request. The statute establishes that:

Requests may be made orally or in writing
Requesters are not required to identify themselves
Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records
Agencies must respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe

The Minnesota Department of Administration's Data Practices Office provides oversight and guidance regarding compliance with the Data Practices Act and serves as a resource for both government entities and members of the public regarding records access issues.

Minnesota Department of Administration - Data Practices Office
201 Administration Building
50 Sherburne Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55155
(651) 201-2495
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Expungement of Arrest Records in Minnesota

Minnesota law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the process by which arrest and criminal records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes. The legal framework for expungement is established in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under the following circumstances:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Cases where the petitioner completed a diversion program or deferred prosecution
Convictions for certain low-level offenses after specified waiting periods
Juvenile delinquency records (subject to separate statutory provisions)
Certain controlled substance offenses

The statutory waiting periods before eligibility varies based on the severity of the offense:

Petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors: 2 years after discharge
Gross misdemeanors: 4 years after discharge
Felonies (eligible offenses only): 5 years after discharge

Petition Process

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was prosecuted. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, the petition must include:

Complete criminal history information
Reasons for seeking expungement
Details of rehabilitation efforts
Supporting documentation

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to public safety and the public's right to access the records.

Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center
Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
(651) 435-6535
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

How to Find Local Arrests in Minnesota?

Members of the public seeking information about local arrests in Minnesota have several official channels through which this information can be obtained. Local arrest data is maintained by various law enforcement agencies and is generally accessible under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

County Sheriff's Offices

Each of Minnesota's 87 counties maintains a sheriff's office that processes and documents arrests within their jurisdiction. These offices typically provide:

Daily arrest logs
Current inmate rosters
Outstanding warrant lists
Booking photographs

Many county sheriff's offices maintain online portals where this information is regularly updated and publicly accessible. For records not available online, individuals may submit requests directly to the records division of the relevant sheriff's office.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
101 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 328-6800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
100 North 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 726-2340
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Municipal Police Departments

City police departments throughout Minnesota maintain records of arrests occurring within their jurisdictions. These agencies typically provide:

Daily incident reports
Arrest summaries
Crime maps and statistics
Warrant information

Larger municipalities often provide online access to arrest information through their official websites, while smaller departments may require in-person or written requests.

Minneapolis Police Department - Records Information Unit
350 South 5th Street, Room 31
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 673-2961
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Rochester Police Department - Records Division
101 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 328-6890
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Court Administration Offices

County courthouses maintain records of arrests that have resulted in criminal charges. Court administrators can provide access to:

Criminal complaints
Charging documents
Court calendars
Case disposition information

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides centralized access to court records from all 87 counties, though some documents may require in-person inspection at the courthouse.