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Faribault Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Faribault, Minnesota?

Arrest records in Faribault, 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 presumed to be accessible to members of the public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law. The Minnesota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access such information as essential to maintaining transparency in governmental operations and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.

The public nature of arrest records serves multiple civic functions. These records enable community members to monitor law enforcement activities, provide oversight of judicial proceedings, and maintain awareness of public safety concerns within Faribault. Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 specifically addresses law enforcement data, designating most arrest information as public data that must be disclosed upon request to any person, regardless of the purpose of the request.

It should be noted that certain components of arrest records may be classified as private or confidential under specific circumstances, particularly when disclosure would compromise an active investigation or infringe upon protected privacy interests as defined by statute.

How to Look Up Faribault Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Faribault. The primary methods for obtaining such information include:

Requesting daily police activity reports from the Faribault Police Department, which document recent arrests and incidents
Submitting a formal records request to the Rice County Sheriff's Office for county-wide arrest data
Accessing the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system to search for case information related to arrests
Reviewing media releases published by local law enforcement agencies regarding significant arrests
Visiting the Rice County District Court to examine public case files that contain arrest documentation

Individuals seeking arrest records must comply with established procedures for records requests. The Faribault Police Department accepts requests in person, by mail, or through electronic submission. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government agencies must respond to data requests in a timely manner, typically within ten business days.

Faribault Police Department
208 1st Avenue NW
Faribault, MN 55021
507-334-4305
Official Police Department Website

Rice County Sheriff's Office
118 3rd Street NW
Faribault, MN 55021
507-332-6000
Official Sheriff's Office Website

Contents of a Faribault Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Faribault law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the circumstances and individuals involved in an arrest. These records typically include the following elements as required by Minnesota Statutes § 13.82:

Complete identifying information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, and address
Physical description data including height, weight, eye and hair color, distinguishing marks, and other identifying characteristics
Date, time, and precise location where the arrest occurred
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Booking photographs ("mugshots") and fingerprint impressions
Identity of the arresting officer(s) and agency
Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
Case number and tracking identifiers for administrative purposes

The level of detail contained within arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's documentation protocols. Records pertaining to felony arrests generally contain more extensive information than those documenting misdemeanor offenses. All arrest data is maintained in accordance with the records retention schedule established by the Minnesota Records Disposition Panel.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act establishes the legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Faribault. This comprehensive statute, codified in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, creates a presumption of accessibility while balancing legitimate privacy concerns and law enforcement operational needs.

Section 13.82 of the Act specifically addresses law enforcement data, designating the following arrest information as public:

Time, date, and location of the arrest
Name, age, sex, and address of the arrestee
The charge, citation, or statutory violation
Arrest photographs and booking information
Factual basis for the arrest

The statute further stipulates that government entities must provide reasonable access to public data during regular business hours. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, limited to the actual costs of searching for, retrieving, and copying the requested data.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has consistently interpreted these provisions broadly in favor of public access, most notably in its landmark decision in Demers v. City of Minneapolis (2002), which reinforced the public's right to access law enforcement records absent a compelling government interest in withholding them.

Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Information

While arrest records are generally public in Faribault, Minnesota law establishes important exceptions to protect privacy interests and the integrity of the criminal justice process. The following categories of arrest information may be classified as private or confidential:

Data that would identify victims or witnesses of crimes where release would threaten their safety
Information that would jeopardize an active criminal investigation
Juvenile arrest records, which are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
Records pertaining to arrests that did not result in charges or convictions after the applicable expungement waiting period
Medical information collected during booking or detention
Data specifically classified as private by court order

Law enforcement agencies in Faribault must carefully review and redact protected information before releasing arrest records to the public. The Minnesota Department of Administration's Data Practices Office provides guidance to agencies regarding proper classification of arrest data and procedures for responding to public records requests.

Individuals who believe their private information has been improperly disclosed may file a complaint with the responsible government entity or seek judicial review pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.08, which provides remedies for violations of the Data Practices Act.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Faribault

Minnesota law provides a statutory mechanism through which individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances. Expungement is the process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, individuals may qualify for expungement if:

The charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty
The proceedings were resolved in the individual's favor
The individual successfully completed a diversion program or stay of adjudication
The conviction was for a qualifying low-level offense and the statutory waiting period has elapsed
The expungement would yield demonstrable benefit to the petitioner that outweighs any public safety risk

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Rice County District Court, payment of applicable filing fees, and attendance at a hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition based on statutory criteria. If granted, an expungement order directs all government entities to seal the relevant records, making them inaccessible through standard public records searches.

Rice County District Court
218 3rd Street NW
Faribault, MN 55021
507-332-6107
Official Court Website

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Faribault frequently utilize arrest records as components of background screening processes. Minnesota law establishes specific parameters governing the use of such information for employment and housing decisions.

The Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 363A) prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. However, employers may consider conviction records when making hiring decisions if:

The conviction directly relates to the position sought
A sufficient time period has elapsed since the conviction
The applicant has shown evidence of rehabilitation

Minnesota's "Ban the Box" law (Minnesota Statutes § 364.021) further restricts employers from inquiring about criminal history on initial employment applications, though such inquiries may be made later in the hiring process.

Organizations conducting background checks using Faribault arrest records must comply with additional requirements under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act if they utilize third-party consumer reporting agencies to obtain the information. These requirements include obtaining written consent from the subject and providing notice before taking adverse action based on the findings.

Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly used for discriminatory purposes may file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or pursue remedies through civil litigation.