>Clay County Arrest Records Online

Clay County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clay County, Minnesota?

Arrest records are public in Clay County, Minnesota, pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive legislation classifies arrest data as public government information that must be accessible to citizens. The Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 specifically addresses law enforcement data, mandating that arrest data, including the name, age, sex, and address of an adult arrestee, time, date, and place of arrest, and the arrest charge, shall be public at all times in the originating agency.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Allowing citizens to monitor the activities of government agencies
Providing necessary information for background checks and public safety
Supporting the constitutional right to public trials and proceedings

Certain exceptions exist for juvenile records, active investigations, and cases where disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation. However, the presumption under Minnesota law favors public access to arrest information.

Clay County Sheriff's Office
911 11th Street North
Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: (218) 299-5151
Clay County Sheriff's Office Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clay County?

Clay County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Clay County Inmate Roster provides current information about individuals currently in custody at the Clay County Detention Center. This information is made available online pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §§ 13.82, 13.85, and 641.05, which govern the public release of law enforcement data.

For historical arrest records and case dispositions, the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides searchable access to court cases, including criminal matters originating from arrests in Clay County. The system allows searches by name, case number, or citation number.

Online access is subject to the following limitations:

Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch
Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in online searches
Juvenile records are generally not available through public online portals
Technical limitations may affect the completeness of older records

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) also maintains the Criminal History System which provides public criminal history record information for a fee, as authorized by Minnesota Statutes § 13.87.

How to Look Up Clay County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Clay County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to obtain this information. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Clay County District Court located at 807 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560. Public terminals are available for searching court records during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).
Request records at the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 911 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560. Identification may be required, and fees may apply for copies of records.

Online Resources:

The Clay County Inmate Roster provides real-time information about current inmates.
Minnesota Court Records Online allows searches of court cases related to arrests.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides criminal history records for a statutory fee of $8.00 per name search.

Written Requests:

Submit a written request to the Clay County Sheriff's Office Records Division, specifying the information sought and providing identifying information about the subject.
Requests must comply with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which governs requests for government data.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities must respond to requests for public data in a prompt and appropriate manner. Requestors may be charged reasonable fees for copies of records as permitted by statute.

Contents of a Clay County Arrest Record

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

Identifying Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Home address at time of arrest
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency (Clay County Sheriff's Office, Moorhead Police Department, etc.)
Names of arresting officers
Statutory charges and citation numbers
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Property inventory of items in possession at arrest

Case Processing Information:

Detention facility information
Bail or bond amounts and conditions
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if available)
Warrant information (if applicable)

The Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, Rule 4, governs which portions of these records are accessible to the public. Certain information may be restricted, including medical information, social security numbers, and financial account numbers.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clay County

Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records and related criminal records may be sealed from public view. In Clay County, expungement proceedings are governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A. Individuals may petition for expungement under the following circumstances:

Statutory Expungement Eligibility:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain diversion program completions
Convictions for petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or specified felonies after waiting periods ranging from 2-5 years
Juvenile delinquency records

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clay County District Court. Petitioners must use the standardized forms available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch and pay applicable filing fees. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to the public.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 5, the court must consider:

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
The steps taken by the petitioner toward rehabilitation
Aggravating or mitigating factors relating to the underlying crime
The petitioner's criminal record
The petitioner's record of employment and community involvement
The recommendations of interested parties

The Clay County Juvenile Diversion Program provides alternatives to traditional court processing that may lead to eligibility for expungement for juvenile offenders.

Search Arrest Records in Clay County

Cities

Moorhead