Polk County
Polk County is situated in the northwestern region of Minnesota. Its seat of government operates in Crookston, and its largest city is East Grand Forks. Polk County was established on July 20, 1858, and organized in 1872. It was named in honor of the 11th President of America, James Knox Polk, who served from 1845 to 1849. Polk County spans 1,997.791 total square miles.
On a county-wide structure, Polk County has just one court that governs the affairs of its court system. This is the District Court, and it is part of the Ninth Judicial District. The Polk County District Court oversees a wide range of cases. It consists of departments that handle different aspects of the law. It has original jurisdiction and presides over the following types of cases:
- Civil: property damage, foreclosure, professional negligence, drug trafficking, and trusts
- Criminal: Attends to cases that involve the state and a criminal in felonies and misdemeanors
- Juvenile: It handles minors running away from school or home, delinquency, and child abuse, and places children in foster care
- Traffic: Traffic infractions attracting the payment of fines, speeding, disobeying the traffic lights, and parking violations
- Small claims: These cases are handled in the conciliation court. Cases heard are general claims of $15,000 or less
- Probate: It appoints guardians and conservators to manage the affairs of incapacitated persons. It interprets the wills of a deceased person according to state laws
- Domestic Relations: Settles family disputes such as separation, child custody, spousal support, and child support cases. It also issues protection orders to victims of domestic abuse.
The District Court Clerk is by law the keeper of records and maintains an index of records. The clerk is accountable for the management and integrity of records. Court records filed in Polk County are accompanied by transcripts of proceedings, orders, and sentences. These are usually kept in digital storage or on-site (courthouse).
You may visit the court administrator's office at the District Courthouse (in person) at 816 Marin Ave, Suite 210, Crookston, MN 56716. You may call (218) 281-2332 or send a fax to (218) 281-2204 to locate the record of interest. Alternatively, you may visit the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) website to access records free of charge. Also, uncertified copies of court records come at zero cost. If you, however, prefer that records be mailed to you, you should fill out and submit the statewide copy request form. In addition, you must send payment along with the form to the district court administrator to facilitate the process. You can view civil, probate, juvenile, guardianship, criminal, small claims, mental health, and conservatorship cases in Polk County, Minnesota.
