>Olmsted County Arrest Records Online

Olmsted County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Olmsted County, Minnesota?

Arrest records in Olmsted County, Minnesota are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This legislation establishes that most government data, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically classified as private or confidential by state or federal law. The Minnesota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access such records as essential to maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system and enabling citizens to monitor government activities.

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which specifically addresses law enforcement data. Under this statute, arrest data is classified as public at all times, including the name, age, sex, and address of the arrested individual, the time, date, and place of the arrest, and the legal basis for the action. These provisions ensure that members of the public can access information about law enforcement activities within the county.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist for juvenile records, active investigations, and cases where disclosure might endanger an individual or compromise an ongoing investigation. These exceptions are narrowly defined under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivisions 7 and 17.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Olmsted County?

Olmsted County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of current arrests and individuals in custody that is updated daily. This system allows members of the public to search for arrest information without physically visiting county offices.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch also offers Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), which provides access to public court records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings in Olmsted County. This resource is maintained pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, Rule 8.

Digital access to these records is governed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which requires government entities to provide records in electronic format when requested, provided the entity maintains the data in that format. The online systems implement security measures to protect against unauthorized bulk downloads while still fulfilling the statutory requirement for public access.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
101 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 328-6800
Official Website

How to Look Up Olmsted County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Olmsted County have multiple methods available for accessing this information:

Online Resources: The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office Activity Logs provide daily updates of law enforcement activities, including arrests. Additionally, the Who is in Custody database shows current detainees in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center.
Minnesota Court Records Online: The Minnesota Court Records Online system allows searches of court cases related to arrests in Olmsted County. This system is accessible 24 hours per day pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch.
In-Person Requests: Physical copies of arrest records may be obtained at the Records Division of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office or the Rochester Police Department during regular business hours. Requests must comply with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which governs procedures for accessing government data.
Criminal History Search: The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a searchable database of criminal history records, including arrests, that is available to the public for a statutory fee.

Olmsted County District Court
151 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 328-7600
Official Website

Contents of an Olmsted County Arrest Record

Arrest records in Olmsted County contain standardized information as required by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 2. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, sex, race)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint data collected during processing
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks
Custody status and bail or bond information
Case numbers and court appearance dates

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act requires that this information be maintained with accuracy and made available to the public in a timely manner. Law enforcement agencies in Olmsted County follow standardized protocols for record creation and maintenance in accordance with Minnesota Rules 1205.0100 to 1205.2000.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Olmsted County

The expungement process in Olmsted County is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, which provides a legal mechanism for sealing certain arrest and criminal records. Individuals seeking expungement must petition the Olmsted County District Court and demonstrate eligibility under statutory criteria.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02, expungement may be available in the following circumstances:

Cases resolved in the petitioner's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
Certain drug possession offenses after successful completion of diversion programs
Juvenile offenses prosecuted as an adult
Convictions for specified low-level offenses after statutory waiting periods
Certain cases where charges were not filed following an arrest

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court, payment of filing fees (unless waived due to indigency), and attendance at a hearing where a judge determines whether the benefits of expungement to the petitioner outweigh the disadvantages to the public and public safety. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides standardized forms and instructions for this process.

If granted, expungement results in the sealing of records held by the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and other government entities. However, certain agencies may retain access to sealed records for specific purposes as outlined in Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 7.

Minnesota State Law Library
Minnesota Judicial Center, Room G25
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 297-7651
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Olmsted County

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Rochester