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Rochester Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rochester, Minnesota?

Arrest records in Rochester, Minnesota are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be presumed public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law. The statute upholds principles of governmental transparency and accountability, ensuring citizens maintain the right to inspect and review actions taken by law enforcement agencies. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement data is generally classified as public government data, with specific exceptions for ongoing investigations, confidential informants, and certain victim information.

How to Look Up Rochester Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Rochester, Minnesota. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Rochester Police Department: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating and providing available public records.

Rochester Police Department
101 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 328-6800
Rochester Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Olmsted County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within county jurisdiction outside Rochester city limits.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
101 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 328-6800
Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Olmsted County District Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the court administrator's office or via the Minnesota Court Records Online system.

Olmsted County District Court
151 Fourth Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 722-7264
Olmsted County District Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): The state judiciary maintains this online case search system where users may search for court cases related to arrests.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA): The state's central repository for criminal history information provides public criminal history records for a fee.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Contents of a Rochester Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Rochester law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as mandated by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific statutory charges and offense descriptions
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint data and identification information
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking location and case numbers
Bail or bond information
Court appearance dates
Disposition information (if available)

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Identities of juvenile offenders (except under circumstances specified in § 260B.171)
Information that would compromise an active investigation
Victim or witness identifying information where safety concerns exist
Medical or health data protected under state or federal privacy laws

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Rochester is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The following statutes and regulations apply:

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13): Establishes the presumption that government data, including arrest records, is public unless specifically classified otherwise.
Minnesota Statutes § 13.82: Specifically addresses law enforcement data, classifying most arrest information as public while protecting certain sensitive information.
Minnesota Rules 1205.0100-1205.2000: Administrative rules implementing the Data Practices Act, including procedures for requesting public records.
Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Policies: Federal guidelines governing the handling and dissemination of criminal justice information.

Requestors seeking arrest records must comply with established procedures, which may include completing request forms, providing identification, and paying applicable fees as authorized under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3.

Limitations on Use of Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, their use is subject to important legal restrictions:

Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 363A): Prohibits employment discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.): Regulates how consumer reporting agencies may report arrest information.
Minnesota Statutes § 364.021: "Ban the Box" legislation prohibiting employers from inquiring about criminal history on initial employment applications.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil liability or administrative penalties. Employers, landlords, and other entities accessing arrest records must ensure compliance with applicable laws governing their use.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Rochester

Minnesota law provides a mechanism for the expungement (sealing) of arrest records under certain circumstances. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, individuals may petition the court to seal records when:

The charges were dismissed
The individual was found not guilty
The case was resolved in the petitioner's favor
The individual has completed a diversion program or stayed sentence
The conviction was for certain low-level offenses and sufficient time has elapsed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Olmsted County District Court. The court evaluates each petition based on statutory criteria, including:

The nature and severity of the offense
The risk posed to public safety
The length of time since the offense
The petitioner's criminal record before and after the offense
The petitioner's rehabilitation efforts
The purpose for which expungement is sought

If granted, expungement results in the sealing of records held by courts and executive branch agencies. However, certain agencies may retain access to sealed records for specific purposes as authorized by statute.

Juvenile Arrest Records in Rochester

Juvenile arrest records in Rochester are subject to special confidentiality provisions under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171. These records are generally not accessible to the public, with limited exceptions for:

Law enforcement agencies
Prosecuting authorities
Courts and probation officers
School officials under specific circumstances
Victims seeking restitution

The juvenile court may order the expungement of juvenile records under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.198, subdivision 6, when it determines that expungement would serve the welfare of the juvenile and public safety. Upon reaching age 18, individuals may petition for expungement of juvenile records under procedures established in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A.