>Grant County Arrest Records Online

Grant County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Grant County, Minnesota?

Arrest records are public in Grant 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 essential for governmental transparency and accountability.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county. These records serve multiple public interest functions, including:

Providing transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling community oversight of police activities
Allowing citizens to monitor the criminal justice system
Supporting public safety through awareness of criminal activity
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing

The Minnesota Department of Administration's Data Practices Office provides guidance on public records access pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which establishes that "all government data shall be public unless classified by statute, or temporary classification pursuant to section 13.06, or federal law, as nonpublic or protected nonpublic."

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Grant County?

Grant County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Grant County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current arrest information and active warrants through their official website. Additionally, the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system contains searchable case information that may include arrest details for cases that have proceeded to court.

Online access to arrest records is governed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which specifically addresses law enforcement data. The statute designates certain arrest information as public, including:

Time, date, and location of the arrest
Name, age, sex, and address of the arrested individual
The charge, citation, or arrest report number
Arrest location and whether physical force was used

Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive, as certain information may be redacted pursuant to privacy protections under Minnesota law. Complete records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.

How to Look Up Grant County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing Grant County arrest records in 2025, as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which states that "upon request to a responsible authority or designee, a person shall be permitted to inspect and copy public government data."

The following official channels are available for arrest record searches:

Visit the Grant County Sheriff's Office located at 15 Central Avenue North, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (218) 685-8280.
Access the Minnesota Court Records Online portal for court cases related to arrests. This system provides 24/7 access to public court records.
Submit a request to the Grant County Court Administration at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. Telephone: (218) 685-8282. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Request criminal history information from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension through their Criminal History Search portal. Note that fees apply for these searches pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 299C.10.
Contact the Grant County Recorder's Office at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. Telephone: (218) 685-8236 for historical records that may not be available online.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Fees may apply for copies of records pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3.

Contents of a Grant County Arrest Record

Grant County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which governs comprehensive law enforcement data. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and address
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records collected during processing
Case or incident report number
Detention facility information
Bail or bond amount, if established
Initial court appearance date

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 7, including:

Identities of juvenile offenders (except under circumstances specified in § 260B.171)
Information that would reveal the identity of victims of sexual assault
Undercover law enforcement officer identities
Informant information
Investigative data that would jeopardize an active investigation

The Grant County District Court maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Grant County

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Grant County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A. Expungement is the process by which arrest and criminal records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Grant County include:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain diversion program completions
Convictions for petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or specified felonies after statutory waiting periods
Juvenile adjudications that meet specific criteria

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Grant County District Court at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Serving copies of the petition on all prosecutorial offices and law enforcement agencies named in the petition
Attending a hearing before a district court judge
Demonstrating that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to the public

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 5, the court will consider several factors when determining whether to grant expungement, including:

The nature and severity of the underlying crime
The risk posed to public safety
The length of time since the crime occurred
The steps taken toward rehabilitation
Aggravating or mitigating factors related to the underlying crime
Reasons for the expungement, including employment barriers

The Minnesota State Law Library provides resources for individuals seeking expungement, including standardized forms approved by the Minnesota Supreme Court.