Minnesota Criminal Records

Minnesota criminal records are official documents that detail an individual's criminal history within the state. These documents typically include arrest records, plea agreements, disposition information, sentencing details, inmate/jail records, and other related documents that provide information on the person's interactions with the state's criminal justice system. Recent surveys indicate that Minnesota has a violent crime rate of about 2.81 incidents per 1,000 Minnesotans, with an overall crime index of 22.47 per 1,000.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, serves as the central repository for criminal history record information collected across the state. However, various other government agencies, such as county sheriff's offices, local police departments, the Minnesota Judicial Branch, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections, also maintain and provide access to criminal records.

Are Criminal Records Public in Minnesota?

The accessibility of criminal records in Minnesota is determined by the type of record and the government body maintaining it. While most records held by government agencies are generally considered public records under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, several exemptions exist when it comes to criminal justice data. For example, juvenile records, data concerning domestic abuse and sexual assault victims, and records that could identify confidential sources and informants or endanger the life and safety of any person if disclosed, are considered confidential.

Additionally, certain records held by the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, such as information on convictions older than 15 years old, are deemed private data and may only be accessed by authorized parties, including the subject of the record and criminal justice agencies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Minnesota?

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is the primary source for official criminal history record information in Minnesota and offers access to these records through online searches and background check requests.

For online searches, the BCA provides a Public Criminal History Search system where you can access public criminal record information at no cost. Searches will provide data on criminal convictions that are not more than 15 years (after the imposed sentence was completed). Obtainable information includes the list of offenses, the court(s) that handled the proceedings, conviction dates, and sentencing information. Note that arrest information and details on cases that did not result in a conviction are not accessible via this system.

On the other hand, a background check provides more comprehensive information (private information) than the public criminal history search, including all arrest information, all court information, and details on convictions older than 15 years (following the completion of the imposed sentence). Requests may be made in person at

You may also obtain a background check for your personal use by mailing a notarized Mail-in Personal Request Consent Form to the BCA at the address above. Be aware that individuals who wish to request a background check on another person (whether in person or via mail) must provide a notarized General Informed Consent Form, duly signed by the subject of the record.

Fees vary depending on the type and scope of background check requested and range from $8 for statewide, self-background checks to $32 for nationwide checks. Note that additional procedures (and fees), like the submission of fingerprints, may be required for employment, landlord, and criminal justice agency background checks. Queries concerning background check options and procedures may be directed to the BCA by calling (651) 793-2400 and selecting option 7.

How To Search Minnesota Arrest Records?

In Minnesota, arrest records are primarily generated locally by police departments and sheriff's offices. These records typically contain the following information:

• The name and age of the individual arrested
• The date and location of the arrest
• A brief description of the offense(s) that led to the arrest
• The name of the officer and the law enforcement agency that handled the arrest

Copies of these records may be accessed through the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest. You will typically be required to submit an official request (either in person or via online portals, where available) and may also have to pay a copy fee. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also offers an online platform that may be used to access records of arrests that resulted in criminal charges being filed and subsequent court proceedings.

How To Search Minnesota Warrants?

Warrants in Minnesota are legal documents issued by judges that authorize specific law enforcement actions, such as making an arrest or searching a premises. There are two main types of warrants in the state: criminal arrest warrants and civil warrants.

• Criminal Arrest Warrants: These authorize the immediate apprehension and arrest of a person. Arrest warrants are typically issued for serious offenses like murder, assault, and criminal sexual conduct, especially when the individual is a flight risk, missing, or out of state. They can also be issued for less serious crimes when someone fails to follow a court directive. These warrants are generally grouped into three categories:
• Bench Warrants: These are issued when a person fails to appear in court, violates their pretrial release supervision conditions, or fails to follow a court order.
• Complaint Warrants: These are issued based on charges filed by a prosecutor's office and are used to initiate legal proceedings against an individual accused of a crime.
• Probation/Parole Violation Warrants: These are issued for individuals who violate the terms of their probation or parole.
• Civil Warrants: These are issued for non-criminal reasons, like contempt of court.

In addition to arrest and civil warrants, other types of warrants are issued in Minnesota, such as:

• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime and seize items from this location.
• Sign and Release Warrants: These are issued for defendants who fail to appear in court, but only if they have not previously missed a court date in the same case. However, unlike a bench warrant, these warrants do not authorize the arrest of the individual. Instead, when law enforcement encounters the individual against whom the warrant was issued, they update their contact information, provide a new court date, and release them at the scene. Sign and release warrants are typically issued for misdemeanor and certain gross misdemeanor offenses.

You can typically obtain warrant information in Minnesota by contacting either the law enforcement agency or the district court in the jurisdiction where you believe the warrant was issued. Some counties also offer online access to active warrant lists/databases that may be used to obtain warrant information for their respective jurisdictions. Note that access to certain warrant information may be restricted to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations. Minnesota warrants generally remain active until the matter is addressed or the issuing court clears/cancels the warrant. However, per state law, search warrants typically have to be executed and returned to the issuing court within 10 days of being issued (search warrants for financial records at banks or other financial institutions have a 30-day validity period).

Can I Obtain a Minnesota Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may access criminal history records of other individuals in Minnesota through the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Criminal history information maintained by this agency is broadly grouped into two categories:

• Public Information: This refers to data on criminal convictions that are not more than 15 years old (counting from when the imposed sentence was completed). You may access this information at no cost by using the BCA's Public Criminal History Search system. Note that you will need to provide the person's full name and date of birth.
• Private Information: these include data on convictions older than 15 years (after the sentence was completed), arrest information, and juvenile data. This information may only be accessed with the consent of the person named on the record. To this end, you will need to submit a signed and notarized General Informed Consent Form to the BCA. Submissions may be made via mail or in person between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, to:

Fees range from $8 - $32, depending on the reason for the request and the scope of the background check (Minnesota-only or nationwide). Additional requirements, like fingerprint submission, may also apply. Contact the BCA at (651) 793-2400, option 7, for more information.

How To Expunge or Seal Minnesota Criminal Records

Minnesota offers individuals the opportunity to clear their criminal records through expungement. This process, which is mainly defined in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, "seals" the record, removing it from public view. However, the expunged record will remain accessible to specific authorized parties, including law enforcement and certain employers. Note that some offenses cannot be expunged from a criminal record. These include, but are not limited to, violent crimes like murder and aggravated assault, felony domestic abuse convictions, DUI/DWI offenses, and certain firearm-related crimes.

There are two main expungement options in Minnesota:

• Full Expungement: This completely seals all records held by the court, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and other relevant government agencies. This type of expungement is typically granted for specific cases, like:
• Cases that ended with an acquittal or the charges being dismissed
• Juvenile offenses tried in adult court
• Certain first-time drug possession offenses
• Offenses where the person completed a diversion program or stayed adjudications and remained crime-free

Individuals who wish to apply for a full expungement typically have to complete a waiting period of 2 - 5 years (and remain crime-free during this period).

• Partial Expungement: This seals only court records; records of the offense held by other government agencies will remain publicly available. Partial expungements are typically available for individuals who do not qualify for a full expungement.

Certain records (usually non-felony cannabis-related offenses) may be automatically expunged without requiring any action on the part of the person named on the record. However, for records that do not qualify for automatic expungement, you must initiate the process by filing a petition with the court that handled the case, after which you will be required to attend a hearing and present your case. The court typically considers factors like the nature of the crime, rehabilitation efforts, and recommendations from victims and relevant agencies before making a decision. Note that an objection from an agency does not automatically mean that the request will be denied.

What Are the Limitations to the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Minnesota?

Several federal and state laws regulate how criminal records can be used in employment, licensing, and housing decisions in Minnesota. These include the Fair Chance Act, which restricts federal agencies and contractors operating in Minnesota from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history before making them a conditional offer. Minnesota's "Ban-the-Box" law extends this restriction to public and private employers in the state. However, certain jobs, such as positions in law enforcement, education, and healthcare, may still require background checks upfront.

Similarly, licensing boards cannot automatically deny a professional license based solely on a criminal record. Instead, they have to consider factors like whether the conviction is directly related to the profession, the time elapsed since the offense, and the applicant's rehabilitation efforts. Note that there are usually stricter licensing rules for some professions, particularly ones involving childcare, healthcare, financial services, and law enforcement. Guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also encourages similar actions on the part of housing providers by urging them to avoid blanket policies that automatically deny applicants based on criminal history and consider each applicant's individual circumstances.

Can I Access Minnesota Criminal Records for Free Online?

Several private websites provide online access to Minnesota criminal records (sometimes for a nominal fee). However, the reliability of these websites and the provided records may be questionable. To access accurate and up-to-date Minnesota criminal records online, it is best to utilize sources like the state's Public Criminal History Search and Court Records Online systems or a trusted third-party platform like MinnesotaPublicRecords.us.