Minnesota Arrest Records: How to Find Arrest Records in the State of Minnesota

The state of Minnesota is located in the upper midwest region of the United States. With approximately 5.75 million people living there, it is the 22nd most populous and 12th largest state in the United States in terms of area. 
 

In Minnesota, when a law enforcement agency is notified of potential criminal activity through the citizens or by a direct encounter, the law enforcement agency decides on what alternatives are available to the person committing the crime.

Typically, a criminal is not arrested for lesser-level offenses. It is preferred that defendants be released without posting bond unless there is cause to suspect that they pose a risk to the public's safety or that they will not show up to answer a summon.

In Minnesota, an arrest is necessary for a higher level of offense, a DUI, or domestic abuse.

When an individual is apprehended and brought into custody for allegedly committing a crime or for interrogation, law enforcement authorities in Minnesota create documentation known as a Minnesota arrest record. 
 

According to Minnesota state law, an individual's arrest records are a part of their criminal history and may be used against them in court. 

Therefore, the state of Minnesota permits the sealing or erasure of arrest records. This is so because not every arrest results in a conviction for a crime. 

A standardized Minnesota arrest report is compiled and published annually by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). 

Local law enforcement agencies are responsible for providing the annual crime statistics utilized in this report to meet federal and state reporting obligations. 

In addition, arrest records from local law enforcement agencies are included in the uniform crime report.

How to Perform a Minnesota Arrest Records Search

If you need to perform a Minnesota arrest records search, we have detailed several ways that you can do so. 

However, it is important to know that the following methods are suitable for a Minnesota arrest records search. 

If you wish to gain access to other types of files, such as marriage records, complete criminal files, mugshots, business records, and other records, you need to use a service that provides background check information. 

Backgroundcheck.co, for example, is a name search service where you can find arrest records Minnesota files, as well as other records. If your goal is to find arrest records in Minnesota, here is how to do it:

Minnesota Public Arrest Records

The general public has access to public records, including arrest records created and managed by government organizations under the Minnesota Public Record Act and the Freedom of Information Act. 

In addition, state residents have the right to request access to paper copies of the Minnesota public arrest records that local law enforcement agencies keep and maintain.

What are the Exemptions to Minnesota Arrest Records?

Arrest Records created by Minnesota's law enforcement agencies are open to the public. 

However, federal and state exemption rules make some records and information private and may be withheld by law enforcement agencies. These records include:

* Juvenile suspects' arrest records are deemed private under Minnesota State Statute 299C.095. 

Therefore, only the record subject, a legal guardian, juvenile courts, adult courts for sentencing, probation officers, corrections personnel, and law enforcement organizations can access these records.
 

Arrest records disclosure that might put the public or the subjects of the record at risk.

* Arrest records related to an active inquiry.

How Do I Find Arrest Records in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, there is no single location where someone can look up someone else's arrest history. 

Therefore, the only place to ask these questions is the neighborhood police or sheriff's office where the arrest was made. 

Considering the procedure and costs for sharing arrest records may vary by agency, it is best to get in touch with these law enforcement agencies or check the pertinent information on their official websites.

For instance, a request form or US mail may be required by some local law enforcement agencies like the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. 

Other organizations, like the sheriff's office in Hennepin County, have online request forms that a person inquiring about someone else's arrest history can utilize to submit their request.

How to Subpoena Minnesota Arrest Records?

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) grants the general public the right to access and study any public records held by governmental entities. 

The MGDPA is not absolute, though, as Section 13.02 of the Minnesota state legislation specifies that some documents are private or secret.

A written objection from the seeking party or counsel can be presented to a state court in response to a subpoena to examine non-public data.

A planned hearing in an ongoing case is required before issuing a subpoena in a civil lawsuit, per Rule 45 of the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure. 

In Minnesota, qualified lawyers have direct subpoena power. A requesting party may also receive subpoenas from the court clerk.

Depending on the court, a subpoena can be served in person, in the courthouse, or by mail. 

The cost of submitting a subpoena is $16. Those unable to pay the charge may be eligible for a waiver. In addition, most courts offer online subpoena packets and forms that can be downloaded. 

Otherwise, Minnesota's state courts provide the necessary form, which is available on their website. In a select situation, a person can ask to see a juvenile court's arrest records by submitting a subpoena. 

JUV501 is the appropriate form to use when issuing a subpoena for juvenile records.

Conclusion

In conclusion, public access terminals are available in every district courthouse in Minnesota through Minnesota Public Access (MPA) Remote (MNCIS), providing electronic access to all state-wide public case records. 

In addition, each district courthouse counter has access to locally kept public case records in paper form. 

As a result, finding your arrest record in Minnesota shouldn't be a problem.