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Golden Valley Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Golden Valley, Minnesota?

Arrest records are public in Golden Valley, Minnesota, pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This legislation establishes that government data, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically classified as private or confidential. The Minnesota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records as essential to maintaining transparency in governmental operations and ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies.

The Golden Valley Police Department (GVPD) maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records are classified as public government data under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which specifically addresses law enforcement data. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records, subject to certain limitations regarding ongoing investigations or protected personal information.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Enables citizens to monitor governmental activities
Provides statistical data for research and policy development
Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Allows background verification for employment or housing purposes

How to Look Up Golden Valley Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Golden Valley provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must provide reasonably accessible data to the public upon request. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Golden Valley:

Online Access

The Golden Valley Public Records Request portal serves as the primary digital gateway for obtaining arrest records. Requestors may submit applications electronically through this system, which processes requests for various types of public data, including police data. The online system allows for efficient processing and digital delivery of records when available.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests in person at:

Golden Valley Police Department
7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Phone: (763) 593-8079
Official Website

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Golden Valley Police Department address listed above. All written requests must include:

Requestor's full name and contact information
Specific information being requested
Date range of records sought
Subject individual's full name and date of birth (if known)
Preferred method of record delivery

Fees for Record Retrieval

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, and the Golden Valley Fee Schedule for 2025, the following fees apply to record requests:

Copy costs: $0.25 per page for standard documents
Staff time: Actual cost for requests requiring more than 100 pages or extensive search time
Electronic media: $5.00 per CD/DVD or USB drive
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 per document

Contents of a Golden Valley Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Golden Valley Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender
Race/ethnicity (as reported)
Residential address (may be partially redacted in public copies)

Physical Descriptors

Height and weight
Eye and hair color
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Photographs (mugshots) taken during booking

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting officer(s) identification
Agency case number
Statutory authority for arrest
Whether force was used during apprehension
Presence of weapons during arrest

Criminal Charges

Specific charges filed
Minnesota statute citations for alleged violations
Classification of offenses (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
Preliminary court appearance information
Bail or bond information

Procedural Documentation

Miranda rights acknowledgment
Booking information
Property inventory
Medical screening results (non-private portions)
Fingerprint records
Detention facility assignment

Expungement of Arrest Records in Golden Valley

Under Minnesota law, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement, which seals the records from public view. The expungement process is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A and requires judicial approval. Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Golden Valley must petition the Hennepin County District Court, which has jurisdiction over Golden Valley criminal matters.

Eligibility Criteria

Expungement eligibility depends on several factors:

Cases resolved in the individual's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain diversion program completions
Specific low-level offenses after prescribed waiting periods
Juvenile records meeting statutory requirements
Cases where the prosecutor agrees to expungement

The waiting period before eligibility ranges from one to five years depending on the offense level, during which the individual must remain law-abiding.

Petition Process

The expungement petition process requires:

Filing a petition with the Hennepin Criminal & Traffic Court
Paying the required filing fee (approximately $325 as of 2025)
Serving copies of the petition on all relevant agencies
Attending a scheduled court hearing
Demonstrating that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to public safety

Hennepin County Government Center
300 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Phone: (612) 348-6000
Official Website

Effects of Expungement

When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes. Expunged records will not appear in standard background checks, allowing individuals to legally state they were not arrested for the expunged offense in most circumstances. However, certain licensing boards and government agencies may retain access to expunged records under specific statutory provisions.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, Minnesota law establishes certain limitations on access. The Golden Valley Police Department must withhold or redact:

Information that would identify victims of criminal sexual conduct or child abuse
Undercover law enforcement officer identities
Informant information
Active investigation data that would jeopardize case resolution
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Health and medical information protected under HIPAA
Social Security numbers and financial account information

These protections are implemented pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivisions 7 through 17, which delineate specific categories of protected law enforcement data.