Minnesota Criminal Records Search

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How to Check for Minnesota Criminal Records

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) have teamed up and created a website where the general public can search for and access criminal records for someone in Minnesota. You can search quickly using just the name and date of birth. You will instantly see charges, conviction information, and sentencing. This service is free of charge but limited. You can also use an online portal system to search for someone’s criminal history.

Minnesota criminal records online

Federal Records vs. Court Criminal Records in Minnesota

Minnesota has their own new case search website, but they also recommend using Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service to find and access federal court records for criminal cases. For local criminal cases, you should visit or contact the courthouse directly. You may have to wait a bit for copies and pay a small fee. When using the PACER system, you must sign up, and although it is free to open an account, each search will cost .10 per page.

 

How Long do Felony or Misdemeanor Charges Last?

All crimes committed in Minnesota will stay on your record forever unless you petition the court to get them sealed. Minnesota’s expungement laws are involved, and it is difficult to qualify, but it is possible. Some felonies will remain on your record forever. You must wait either two or four years after a misdemeanor to apply and five years after a felony. You must also wholly finish your rehabilitation and sentencing (parole or probation) and any other terms set by the judge before applying. You cannot have any further convictions on your record when you ask for expungement.

 

Who Can Lookup your Criminal Background?

Government agencies, schools, the military, and the general public can look up your criminal background anytime. Pretty much anyone with access to a computer and the Internet can view your file. You can also get a copy of your own criminal history through state resources or other online portals.

 

Why Check Someone’s Filed Criminal Charges?

People use criminal background checks for many reasons. Gun dealers use them before selling firearms to customers. Landlords sometimes use them before renting property to someone they don’t know. Some people use them before meeting a stranger.

 

Types of Criminal Records

The types of criminal records you will see when you pull a report are a name, address, phone number, gender, age, height, weight, race, date of birth, and physical description. You might also see mug shots and fingerprints too. You can see their criminal history including charges, sentencing, convictions, parole, probation, fines, bail, bond, arrests, warrants, and incarcerations.

 

How Are MN Criminal Records Created?

Minnesota criminal records are created whenever someone is moved through the criminal justice system. When they are first arrested, the initial paperwork begins the file. Then everything that follows gets added in, and these documents and forms become someone’s criminal history.