>Cottonwood County Arrest Records Online

Cottonwood County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cottonwood County, Minnesota?

Arrest records in Cottonwood County, Minnesota are classified as public information pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically classified otherwise by statute. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act operates in accordance with the state's commitment to governmental transparency and public oversight.

Members of the public may access these records through designated channels established by county authorities. The accessibility of these records serves multiple public interests, including community awareness, criminal justice transparency, and individual due diligence. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies must make certain investigative data available to the public, including arrest data, request for service data, and response or incident data.

The Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in compliance with state regulations and makes them available through established protocols that balance public access rights with privacy considerations as mandated by law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cottonwood County?

Digital access to Cottonwood County arrest records is available through several authorized online platforms. The Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office maintains a jail roster on their official website in accordance with Minnesota Statutes §§ 13.82, 13.85, and 641.05, which mandate the public availability of inmate information.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides additional online resources for accessing case information related to arrests through their Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system. This platform allows users to search for case records, including those stemming from arrests in Cottonwood County.

Digital access to these records is subject to certain limitations established by Minnesota law. While basic arrest information is generally available online, more comprehensive records may require in-person requests at county facilities. The online availability of these records is designed to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with data privacy regulations established under Minnesota law.

Users should note that online records may not always contain complete information, and verification through official county channels may be necessary for comprehensive record access.

How to Look Up Cottonwood County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Cottonwood County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize any of the following methods:

Visit the Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request.

Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office
902 5th Avenue
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-1375
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Cottonwood County Sheriff's Jail Roster for current inmate information.
Submit a request to the Cottonwood County District Court for arrest records associated with court proceedings.

Cottonwood County District Court
900 3rd Avenue
Windom, MN 56101
(507) 831-4551
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Minnesota Court Records Online system to search for case information related to arrests.
Contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for statewide criminal history information that may include Cottonwood County arrests.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-7000
Criminal History Search
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must respond to data requests in a timely manner, typically within 10 business days. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable fees for copies of records as permitted under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3.

Contents of a Cottonwood County Arrest Record

Cottonwood County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. These records typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying characteristics
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint data collected during the booking process
Arresting agency information and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking number and detention facility information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Court case number, once assigned
Disposition information, including release date or transfer to another facility

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to additional privacy protections under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171 and may not be publicly accessible to the same degree as adult records.

All arrest record information is maintained in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and related statutes governing criminal justice data. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records pursuant to applicable privacy laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cottonwood County

The expungement process for arrest records in Cottonwood County is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Cottonwood County District Court in accordance with statutory requirements.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain diversion program completions pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02, subdivision 1
Convictions for specified low-level offenses after statutorily defined waiting periods
Juvenile delinquency records under conditions specified in Minnesota Statutes § 260B.198

The petition process requires:

Completion of the expungement petition and supporting affidavit
Filing with the Cottonwood County District Court
Payment of applicable filing fees (currently $325, with fee waiver options available for qualifying individuals)
Service of the petition on all relevant government agencies
Attendance at a scheduled court hearing

The court evaluates expungement petitions based on statutory factors including the severity of the offense, time elapsed since arrest, rehabilitation evidence, and public safety considerations. If granted, the expungement order may seal records held by the judiciary and executive branch agencies.

Expunged records are not physically destroyed but are sealed from public view. Certain government agencies may retain limited access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes. The legal effect of expungement is governed by Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 7.