>Cass County Arrest Records Online

Cass County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cass County, Minnesota?

Arrest records are public in Cass County, Minnesota, pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically classified as private or confidential by statute. 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 and enabling citizens to monitor governmental activities.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which specifically addresses law enforcement data. Under this statute, arrest data is classified as public government data and must be accessible for inspection during normal business hours. This classification ensures that members of the public, including media representatives, researchers, and concerned citizens, may obtain information about arrests made within county jurisdiction.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes accountability within law enforcement agencies
Enables community awareness of public safety matters
Facilitates background checks for employment and housing
Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice issues
Provides statistical data for policy analysis and development

Individuals seeking arrest records may encounter certain limitations established by state law, particularly regarding juvenile records or cases under active investigation. These exceptions are narrowly defined in Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivisions 7 and 17.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cass County?

Cass County provides digital access to arrest records through several authorized online platforms. The Cass County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains electronic databases that contain arrest information, booking photos, and related documentation. These digital repositories are accessible to the public through designated portals, though the comprehensiveness of online records may vary depending on the age of the records and technological implementation schedules.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch has established the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, which provides access to case records including those related to arrests in Cass County. This centralized database allows users to search for records by name, case number, or other identifiers. Pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, Rule 8, certain information may be restricted from online access while remaining available for in-person inspection at courthouse terminals.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:

Records may not be immediately available online following an arrest
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
User registration and/or fees may be required for comprehensive searches
Historical records may not be fully digitized or searchable online
Technical limitations may affect search functionality and record retrieval

The Cass County Government website provides guidance on accessing these online resources and understanding the scope of available information.

How to Look Up Cass County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Cass County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records include in-person requests, online searches, and formal written applications.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Cass County Sheriff's Office
303 Minnesota Avenue W
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1424
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Cass County Courthouse
303 Minnesota Avenue W
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

For online access, the following resources are available:

The Minnesota Court Records Online system provides case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings
The Cass County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains searchable databases of arrest records
The Detention Center information portal provides current inmate information

Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office address listed above. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, agencies must respond to data requests in a prompt and appropriate manner. Requestors should include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if available)
Requestor's contact information

Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, and are based on actual costs of searching for, retrieving, and copying requested documents.

Contents of a Cass County Arrest Record

Cass County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include comprehensive details about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody.

Standard components of Cass County arrest records include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, address, physical description)
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Minnesota Statute citations
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Initial appearance court date and judicial assignment
Bail or bond determination and conditions
Detention facility assignment
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction

Additional documentation may be attached to the primary arrest record, including:

Incident reports describing the circumstances leading to arrest
Witness statements collected during investigation
Evidence inventory and chain of custody documentation
Miranda rights acknowledgment
Medical screening information
Temporary detention logs

The comprehensiveness of arrest records is maintained in accordance with Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 4, which governs procedures following arrest. These records are subject to retention schedules established by the Minnesota Records Retention Schedule for Counties.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cass County

Expungement of arrest records in Cass County is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, which provides a legal mechanism for sealing certain records from public view under specific circumstances. The expungement process requires judicial review and determination based on statutory criteria and case-specific factors.

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

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals, or declined prosecutions)
Certain diversion program completions as specified in § 609A.02, subdivision 1(2)
Convictions for specified low-level offenses after statutorily defined waiting periods
Juvenile records that meet criteria under § 260B.198
Cases involving identity theft victims under § 609A.02, subdivision 3

The expungement petition process requires:

Filing a petition with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred
Payment of filing fees (unless waived by the court)
Serving notice on all relevant government agencies
Attending a hearing before a district court judge
Demonstrating that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to public safety

The court evaluates petitions using a twelve-factor test established in Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 5, which includes consideration of:

The nature and severity of the underlying crime
The risk, if any, the petitioner poses to individuals or society
The length of time since the crime occurred
Steps taken by the petitioner toward rehabilitation
Aggravating or mitigating factors relating to the underlying crime
Reasons for the expungement, including attempts to obtain employment, housing, or other necessities

If granted, expungement orders direct government agencies to seal records, preventing their disclosure to the public. However, certain agencies may retain access to sealed records for limited purposes as specified in Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 7.