>Rice County Arrest Records Online

Rice County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rice County, Minnesota?

Arrest records in Rice County, Minnesota are classified as public information in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act serves as the state's implementation of public records law, ensuring transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials.

The Rice County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties. These records document law enforcement activities and provide the public with information regarding individuals who have been taken into custody. Public access to these records supports community awareness of law enforcement actions and contributes to the transparency of the criminal justice system in Rice County.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies must provide access to arrest data, which is classified as public government data. This includes information about individuals arrested, the date and place of arrest, and the charges filed. However, certain information may be temporarily withheld if its release would jeopardize an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals involved.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Rice County?

Rice County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Rice County Jail provides an online inmate roster that is updated regularly with information about current detainees. This resource allows members of the public to verify if an individual is currently in custody and view basic information about their detention status.

For more comprehensive criminal history information, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the Criminal History System, which provides public access to conviction records. While this system does not include all arrest records, it serves as a valuable resource for background checks and verification of criminal history information.

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system also provides access to court records related to arrests in Rice County. This platform allows users to search for case information by name or case number, providing details about court proceedings that followed an arrest. It should be noted that MCRO does not contain complete arrest records but rather focuses on the judicial proceedings that result from arrests.

Online access to these records is governed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which requires government entities to provide convenient access to public data. The statute also permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for providing copies of records, including those accessed through electronic means.

How to Look Up Rice County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Rice County arrest records have multiple options available:

Visit the Rice County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest records: Rice County Sheriff's Office 118 NW 3rd Street Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: (507) 332-6010 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Rice County Court Administration for court records related to arrests: Rice County Court Administration Rice County Courthouse 218 NW 3rd Street Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: (507) 332-6107 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Minnesota Court Records Online system to search for case information related to arrests in Rice County.
Submit a written request to the Rice County Sheriff's Office Records Division, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which requires government entities to respond to data requests within a reasonable time.
For criminal history records, contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 1430 Maryland Avenue East St. Paul, MN 55106 Phone: (651) 793-2400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Some agencies may require a government-issued identification from the requestor and payment of applicable fees as authorized under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3.

Contents of a Rice County Arrest Record

Rice County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 2, the following data elements are classified as public and are generally included in arrest records:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and physical description, including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
The factual basis for the arrest and the specific statutory violations alleged
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint information collected during the booking process
Information about the arresting agency and the officers involved
Details regarding bail or bond amounts set and conditions of release
Case numbers and court file information for subsequent judicial proceedings

The Rice County District Court maintains records of court proceedings that follow an arrest, including arraignment information, plea entries, and case dispositions. These records complement the arrest data maintained by law enforcement agencies and provide a more complete picture of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records if its release would compromise an active investigation or endanger individuals involved. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different confidentiality standards under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171 and may not be publicly accessible in the same manner as adult records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Rice County

Minnesota law provides a mechanism for the expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, individuals may petition the Rice County District Court for the expungement of records related to an arrest if:

The charges were dismissed
The individual was found not guilty after trial
The case was resolved in the individual's favor
The individual successfully completed a diversion program or stay of adjudication
The conviction was for certain low-level offenses and the required waiting period has elapsed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. The petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings, as well as the grounds for seeking expungement. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether the benefits of expungement to the petitioner outweigh the disadvantages to the public and public safety.

If an expungement is granted, the court will issue an order directing government agencies to seal the relevant records. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 7, the effect of an expungement order may vary depending on the type of expungement granted. A "statutory expungement" seals records held by the judicial branch, while an "inherent authority expungement" may extend to records held by executive branch agencies, including the Rice County Sheriff's Office.

Individuals seeking expungement may wish to consult with legal counsel familiar with Minnesota expungement law, as the process can be complex and the standards for granting relief are subject to judicial interpretation.

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