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West Saint Paul Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in West Saint Paul, Minnesota?

Arrest records are public in West Saint Paul, 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 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. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies must make arrest data available to the public, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure would compromise public safety.

The West St. Paul Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and city ordinances. Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes, including allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities, enabling background checks for employment or housing, and providing journalists with information necessary for accurate reporting on criminal justice matters.

How to Look Up West Saint Paul Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in West Saint Paul have several methods available for accessing this information. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has implemented enhanced digital access protocols for 2025, making record retrieval more efficient while maintaining compliance with data privacy regulations.

Individuals may obtain arrest records through the following official channels:

In-Person Requests at West Saint Paul Police Department
West Saint Paul Police Department
1616 Humboldt Avenue
West Saint Paul, MN 55118
Phone: (651) 552-4200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Requestors must complete a standard public information request form and may be required to show identification. Processing times typically range from 3-10 business days depending on request volume.
Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 438-8100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through public terminals at the courthouse. Pursuant to Minnesota Court Rules, nominal fees apply for printed copies.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
The Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive online database that includes arrest and case information. Users must create an account and may incur fees for certain document retrievals. The system operates 24 hours daily with scheduled maintenance periods.
Criminal History Search through Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrest data, the BCA provides official record checks for a statutory fee of $15 per search.

Contents of a West Saint Paul Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by West Saint Paul law enforcement agencies contain specific data elements as mandated by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. These records typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including statute or ordinance citations and offense severity level
Case Processing Data: Arrest case number, booking information, and initial appearance details
Law Enforcement Information: Identifying information of the arresting officer(s) and agency
Procedural Documentation: Miranda rights acknowledgment, property inventory, and medical screening results
Detention Status: Information regarding bail, release conditions, or continued detention

The West St. Paul Code Enforcement division may also maintain records of arrests related to municipal code violations. These records are subject to the same public access provisions as other arrest data, in accordance with West St. Paul City Ordinances and state law.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in West Saint Paul is established through multiple layers of authority. Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 specifically designates arrest data as public government data with limited exceptions. The Minnesota Judicial Branch further codifies access rights through court rules and administrative procedures.

Key legal provisions governing arrest record access include:

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act: Establishes the presumption that government data, including arrest records, is public unless specifically classified otherwise
Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch: Provides detailed guidelines for accessing court records related to arrests
West Saint Paul City Code Chapter 38: Contains local provisions regarding law enforcement records management and public access procedures
Federal Freedom of Information Act: May apply to certain arrest records involving federal agencies operating within West Saint Paul

According to West Saint Paul Resolution No. 2023, the city maintains compliance with state statutes regarding public records while implementing reasonable safeguards to protect sensitive information. Agencies may withhold certain arrest information only under specific statutory exemptions, such as data that would compromise an active investigation or endanger an individual.

Expungement of Arrest Records in West Saint Paul

Under Minnesota law, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances. Expungement is the process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies. The legal authority for expungement is established in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of West Saint Paul arrest records include:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain diversion program completions
Specific low-level offenses after prescribed waiting periods
Juvenile records that meet statutory requirements

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Dakota County District Court. Petitioners must provide notice to all agencies maintaining the records, including the West St. Paul Police Department. The court evaluates each petition based on statutory factors including:

The nature and severity of the offense
The risk posed to public safety
The length of time since the offense
The petitioner's criminal record before and after the offense
The petitioner's rehabilitation efforts and employment history

If granted, expungement orders require all agencies to seal the specified records. However, pursuant to West Saint Paul Resolution No. 2024, the city maintains internal compliance protocols to ensure proper handling of expunged records while meeting statutory obligations.

Limitations on Arrest Record Use

Minnesota law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest record information may be used, particularly in employment and housing contexts. The West St. Paul City Code incorporates these protections by reference.

Key limitations include:

Ban the Box Provisions: Employers may not inquire about criminal history on initial employment applications
Housing Discrimination Protections: Landlords must follow specific procedures when using arrest records in rental decisions
Commercial Use Restrictions: Companies selling arrest data must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state regulations
Accuracy Requirements: Entities providing arrest record information must ensure data is complete and up-to-date

Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties under both state law and local ordinances. The West Saint Paul Human Rights Commission provides oversight regarding potential discriminatory uses of arrest record information.