Cass County
Cass County is located in north-central Minnesota as part of the Brainerd Lake Area. It is known for its vast natural beauty, including numerous lakes, and recreational opportunities. The county spans approximately 2,021.5 square miles, making it one of the largest counties in Minnesota by land mass. Walker serves as the county seat and is a hub for tourism and outdoor activities. As of 2022, Cass County has a population of about 30,288 residents.
The court system in Cass County is part of Minnesota's Ninth Judicial District, which oversees all civil, criminal, and family law matters. The Cass County District Court operates as the sole trial court for the area, handling cases through several specialized divisions for effective management of legal proceedings. They include the Civil, Criminal, Family, Juvenile, Probate, and Conciliation Divisions. The Civil Division manages claims for damages and property disputes that do not exceed $15,000. The Criminal Division handles misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony cases. The Family Division oversees family-related cases such as divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic abuse. The Juvenile Division deals with cases involving minors, such as delinquency, dependency, and child welfare matters. Meanwhile, the Probate Division addresses issues related to wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments. On the other hand, the Conciliation Division handles small claims disputes involving amounts under $7,500 while the Traffic Division processes traffic violations and vehicle-related offenses. The court shares jurisdiction with higher courts for appeals and specialized cases, including habeas corpus and administrative reviews, which may be heard by the Minnesota Court of Appeals or, in rare instances, the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Cass County court records are official documents that contain information such as motions, writs, dispositions, orders, filing dates, and decisions of the courts within the county. They establish precedents that can be applied in future cases. Cass County court records include:
- Civil case records
- Criminal case records
- Probate records
- Family law records
- Juvenile records
While Minnesota law allows public access to most court records, certain documents such as those related to juvenile, mental health, adoption, and sealed cases, are kept confidential to protect privacy.
Residents and interested parties can access Cass County court records online through the Minnesota Judicial Branch's Access Case Records System. Users can search by case number, party name, or attorney name. Alternatively, individuals may visit the Cass County Courthouse to request court records during business hours at:
303 Minnesota Ave W
Walker, MN 56484
Phone: (218) 547-7200
Fees may apply for obtaining copies of court documents. Certified copies typically incur additional charges.
