Dodge County, Minnesota Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dodge County, Minnesota?
Arrest records are public documents in Dodge 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 citizens. The Minnesota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records as established in Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which specifically addresses law enforcement data.
Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county. These records document official actions taken by government entities and serve multiple public interests, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Allowing citizens to monitor government activities
- Providing information relevant to public safety
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld if they contain confidential information as defined by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, Subdivision 7, such as:
- Identities of juvenile offenders
- Information that would compromise an active investigation
- Data that would reveal the identity of protected witnesses
- Certain medical information protected by state or federal law
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dodge County?
Dodge County arrest records are available online through several official platforms. The Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains digital repositories of court records, including those related to arrests, pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides remote access to public case records, including those originating from arrests in Dodge County.
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of active warrants and arrest information. This resource is updated regularly in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which requires law enforcement agencies to make certain investigative data promptly accessible to the public.
Online access to these records is subject to the following conditions:
- Users may be required to create accounts or verify their identity
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
- Some historical records may not be digitized and remain available only in physical format
- Records involving ongoing investigations may have limited online availability
How to Look Up Dodge County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing Dodge County arrest records in 2025, as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which outlines procedures for requesting government data. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following approaches:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Dodge County Sheriff's Office Records Department to submit formal requests for arrest records. The department is located at:
Dodge County Sheriff's Office
22 6th Street East
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6200
Official Website
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Online Access: The Minnesota Court Records Online system provides 24-hour access to public court records, including those related to arrests in Dodge County. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers as permitted by Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, Rule 8.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Records Department by mail. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subdivision 3, agencies must respond to data requests in a timely manner, typically within 10 business days. Requests should include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
- Specific information being requested
Telephone Inquiries: Limited information regarding arrests may be obtained by calling the Dodge County Sheriff's Office Records Department at (507) 635-6200. However, detailed records typically require formal written requests in accordance with departmental policies.
Contents of a Dodge County Arrest Record
Dodge County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 and the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority for the arrest
- Whether force was used during apprehension
- Booking number and processing information
Criminal Charges:
- Specific violations of Minnesota statutes or local ordinances
- Classification of offenses (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
- Case numbers assigned by the Dodge County District Court
- Preliminary hearing dates and outcomes
Custody Information:
- Detention facility where the individual was held
- Bail or bond amounts established
- Release conditions if applicable
- Court appearance schedules
Supplementary Documentation:
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory lists
- Medical screening information (subject to privacy restrictions)
The Dodge County District Court maintains these records in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office, as mandated by Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 4.02, which governs the documentation of arrests and initial appearances.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dodge County
Minnesota law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances, as codified in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A. Expungement refers to the sealing of records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain access to expunged records for limited purposes.
Individuals may petition for expungement of Dodge County arrest records if they meet statutory eligibility requirements, which include:
- Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
- Arrests not resulting in formal charges within designated time periods
- Successful completion of diversion programs
- Convictions for certain low-level offenses after specified waiting periods
- Juvenile records meeting criteria under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.198
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Dodge County District Court, located at:
Dodge County Courthouse
22 6th Street East
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6260
Official Website
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Petitioners must provide notice to all agencies maintaining the records sought to be expunged, including the Dodge County Attorney's Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the arresting agency. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to public safety and the public's right to know.
If granted, an expungement order directs government agencies to seal the records and prohibits their disclosure except as authorized by statute. Private entities that have previously obtained copies of the records are not automatically bound by expungement orders, though Minnesota Statutes § 332.70 imposes certain restrictions on background screening companies.
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