>Brown County Arrest Records Online

Brown County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Brown County, Minnesota?

Arrest records are public documents in Brown County, Minnesota, pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This legislation classifies most government records, including arrest records, as public information accessible to all citizens. The Minnesota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records as essential to maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system. Members of the public may inspect these records during normal business hours at designated county facilities or through authorized online portals.

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

Promotes accountability within law enforcement agencies
Enables citizens to monitor the activities of their government
Assists in public safety awareness
Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Facilitates background checks for employment and housing

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain confidential information as defined under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, such as details about sexual assault victims, undercover officers, or ongoing investigations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Brown County?

Brown County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides a centralized database where members of the public may search for case information, including arrest records. Additionally, the Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records that can be accessed remotely.

The online availability of these records is governed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which requires government entities to maintain records in an arrangement and condition that makes them easily accessible for convenient use. Digital access options include:

The Brown County Jail Roster Report, which provides current information on individuals in custody
The Outstanding Warrants database maintained by county law enforcement
Court records accessible through public terminals at the Brown County Courthouse

Users should note that online records may not always contain complete information, as certain details may be restricted from public view in accordance with privacy laws or court orders.

How to Look Up Brown County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Brown County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which establishes procedures for requesting access to government data. The following options are available:

Visit the Brown County Courthouse in person:

Brown County Court Administration
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: 507-441-7020
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
Access the Minnesota Court Records Online system, which provides case information for all 87 Minnesota counties.
Contact the Brown County Sheriff's Office directly:

Brown County Sheriff's Office
15 South Washington Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: 507-233-6700
Hours: 24 hours daily
Official Website
Use public access terminals available at the courthouse, which provide more comprehensive access to electronic court records than what may be available online.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of their search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, Rule 8, a reasonable fee may be charged for copies of records.

Contents of a Brown County Arrest Record

Brown County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 2, which defines public criminal history data. A typical arrest record includes:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Name of arresting agency and officer(s)
- Incident report number
Case processing information:
- Booking date and facility
- Court file number
- Initial appearance date
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention status
Disposition information (when available):
- Court proceedings and outcomes
- Sentencing details if convicted
- Case dismissal information if applicable

These records are maintained by both the Brown County Sheriff's Office and the Brown County District Court, with certain elements shared between law enforcement and judicial databases.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Brown County

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Brown County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, which provides the legal framework for sealing criminal records. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest and criminal records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain diversion program completions
Convictions for which statutory waiting periods have elapsed
Juvenile offenses that meet specific criteria
Certain drug possession offenses after completion of drug treatment

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Brown County District Court located at:

Brown County District Court
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: 507-233-6700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Petitioners must serve copies of their expungement petition on all agencies that may possess their records. The court will schedule a hearing where a judge will determine whether the benefits of expungement to the petitioner outweigh the disadvantages to the public and public safety of sealing the record.

Successful expungement does not completely destroy records but restricts their accessibility to the general public. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 7, expunged records remain available to criminal justice agencies under limited circumstances.

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records

The use of Brown County arrest records is subject to legal restrictions under both Minnesota and federal law. The Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 363A) and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) place limitations on how arrest record information may be used, particularly in employment and housing contexts.

Key restrictions include:

Employers may not inquire about or consider arrests that did not result in conviction unless the position involves working with vulnerable populations
Housing providers face similar restrictions regarding arrest records without convictions
Credit reporting agencies must follow specific procedures when reporting arrest information
Public employers in Minnesota are subject to "ban-the-box" legislation (Minnesota Statutes § 364.021), prohibiting inquiry into criminal history until after an interview or conditional job offer

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil liability, administrative penalties, or both. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights enforces state-level protections at:

Minnesota Department of Human Rights
540 Fairview Avenue North, Suite 201
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651-539-1100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM