Fairmont Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fairmont, Minnesota?
Arrest records in Fairmont, 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, are presumptively public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act operates in accordance with the state's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability.
Law enforcement agencies in Fairmont maintain arrest records as part of their official documentation. These records become public information once they are created and may be accessed by members of the public through established procedures. The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating public oversight of governmental activities
- Providing information relevant to public safety
- Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
- Enabling background checks for employment or housing purposes
Certain portions of arrest records may be classified as private or confidential under specific statutory provisions. For example, information pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or data that would compromise victim safety may be withheld in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82.
How to Look Up Fairmont Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Fairmont, Minnesota. Individuals seeking such information should be aware of the following authorized methods:
Martin County Sheriff's Office
201 Lake Avenue
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: 507-238-3124
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday
Martin County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within their jurisdiction. Requestors may submit a written application for records in person during business hours. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, the Sheriff's Office must respond to data requests in a timely manner, typically within 10 business days.
Martin County District Court
Martin County Courthouse
201 Lake Avenue
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: 507-432-7003
Martin County District Court
Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained at the courthouse. Public terminals are available for searching court records during regular business hours. Court records may also be accessed through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system.
Fairmont Police Department
201 Lake Avenue
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: 507-238-4481
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
The Police Department maintains records of arrests conducted by their officers within city limits. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person, by mail, or via electronic means where available. Identification may be required when requesting records in person.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: 651-793-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
The BCA maintains a statewide database of criminal history information, including arrest data. Public criminal history checks may be requested for a statutory fee of $15 per name search.
Contents of a Fairmont Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Fairmont typically contain standardized information as required by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. These records generally include the following categories of information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
- Home address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of alleged offense(s)
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking information, including date, time, and facility
- Custody status and bail/bond information if applicable
- Case or incident number for administrative tracking
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification data
Arrest records may also contain supplementary information such as property inventories, medical screening data, and emergency contact information. Certain elements of this supplementary information may be classified as private data under Minnesota law and consequently redacted from public versions of the records.
It should be noted that arrest records document only the fact of an arrest and the allegations that prompted it. These records do not constitute evidence of guilt, as all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law pursuant to constitutional protections.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fairmont
Minnesota law provides a statutory framework through which individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for legitimate purposes.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, individuals may qualify for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:
- Cases resolved in the individual's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
- Cases where the individual successfully completed a diversion program
- Certain low-level offenses after specified waiting periods
- Juvenile records that have been properly sealed by court order
- Arrests that did not result in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Martin County District Court. Petitioners must provide detailed information regarding the arrest and subsequent proceedings, as well as a statement explaining why expungement would yield a benefit to the petitioner that outweighs the public interest in maintaining access to the record.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing at which the petitioner, prosecuting authority, and any victims may present arguments regarding the expungement request. The court then evaluates the petition according to statutory factors including:
- The nature and severity of the underlying offense
- The risk posed to public safety
- The length of time since the offense occurred
- The petitioner's criminal record before and after the offense
- The petitioner's rehabilitation efforts and current circumstances
- The adverse consequences the petitioner faces due to the record
If the court grants expungement, an order is issued directing all agencies holding records related to the arrest to seal those records from public view. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, agencies must comply with expungement orders within 60 days of receipt.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal considerations. The court may require filing fees unless the petitioner qualifies for a fee waiver based on financial hardship.
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