Washington County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Washington County, Minnesota may access publicly available information through a combination of official government portals, court offices, and third-party aggregators such as WashingtonMNRecords.us. Washington County maintains criminal records through its court system, Sheriff's Office, and state-level repositories, and these records may include arrest logs, booking information, court case filings, dispositions, and sentencing data. The availability of specific records depends on the nature of the case, the age of the subject at the time of the offense, and whether any sealing or expungement orders have been issued.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Jail inmate rosters
- Probation and sentencing records
The following five methods outline how members of the public may access criminal records through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
1. County Court Records
The Washington County District Court, part of Minnesota's Tenth Judicial District, maintains criminal case files for matters filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during business hours.
Washington County District Court
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Phone: (651) 430-6300
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Minnesota Judicial Branch
Visitors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, if known, the full name of the subject or the case number. Public access terminals are available in the courthouse lobby for self-service case lookups.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of reports.
Washington County Sheriff's Office
15015 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Phone: (651) 439-9381
Washington County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal allows members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Washington County. Users may search by full name, date of birth, or case number. Note that some case types, including juvenile matters and sealed records, do not appear in public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) serves as the state's official criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certain request types, fingerprints. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
BCA Criminal History Records
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Washington County District Court Administrator's Office or the Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Washington County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Washington County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. Under Minnesota law, criminal records are created at multiple points in the justice process and maintained by several distinct agencies.
The distinction between record types is legally significant:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took a person into custody; a conviction record reflects a court finding or plea of guilty. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not establish criminal liability.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the most serious classification and carry potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under age 18 at the time of the offense are subject to confidentiality protections under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for arrest, while historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Washington County include:
- Washington County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail booking records, inmate information
- Washington County District Court — case filings, charging documents, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident reports and arrest records within their respective jurisdictions
Records are created when law enforcement makes an arrest, updated as charges are filed and proceedings advance, and finalized upon disposition. A complete record may include charges, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Washington County
Criminal records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which governs law enforcement data and establishes what information is accessible to the public. Court records are separately governed by the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch.
Under current law, the following categories of information are accessible to the public:
- Adult arrest and booking data
- Criminal court case filings and case numbers
- Charges filed, including the statute cited and offense level
- Court hearing dates and outcomes
- Conviction records and sentencing information
The following categories are restricted or confidential:
- Juvenile records (protected under § 260B.171)
- Sealed or expunged records
- Ongoing criminal investigation data
- Victim and witness identifying information
- Records subject to protective orders
As the Minnesota Department of Administration notes in its guidance on the Government Data Practices Act, "government data is public unless a state or federal law says it is not public." This presumption of openness applies broadly to criminal justice records, with the exceptions noted above.
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not subject to Minnesota's open records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Washington County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online portal for Washington County criminal records is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. This tool allows searches by name, date of birth, or case number and returns case-level information including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. The Washington County Sheriff's Office also publishes a current jail roster reflecting individuals currently in custody.
State-Level Resources
The Minnesota Judicial Branch case search provides statewide access to court records across all 87 counties. The Minnesota BCA offers a public criminal history search for a fee, returning conviction data from the state repository.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies share data in real time
- Understand that records predating digital systems may not appear online
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag of hours to days depending on the agency. Historical records predating the mid-1990s may not be digitized. Online results do not constitute an official background check and should not be used as a substitute for a certified BCA report in employment or licensing contexts.
Can You Search Washington County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Minnesota law mandates that members of the public may inspect government data free of charge. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, agencies must allow inspection of public data at no cost. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at the Washington County District Court and the Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — free case search
- Washington County jail roster — available through the Sheriff's Office website
- Minnesota sex offender registry — available through the Minnesota Department of Corrections
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Washington County Sheriff's Office and may be inspected in person at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified court document copies | $14 per document (Minnesota Judicial Branch) |
| BCA public criminal history search | $8 per subject |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $15–$30 depending on purpose |
Fee schedules are subject to change and members of the public should confirm current amounts directly with the relevant agency.
What's Included in a Washington County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of the arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including the specific statute and offense classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date if applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of probation), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name variations, or incomplete updates following case resolution. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their records may petition the relevant court or agency for correction. The Minnesota BCA provides a process for challenging the accuracy of criminal history data held in the state repository.
How Long Does Washington County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Minnesota's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Minnesota Historical Society and the State Archives, govern how long county agencies must retain criminal records. Courts are additionally subject to retention rules established by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by both the court and the BCA
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; BCA retains conviction data indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy; may be subject to expungement petition
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records are retained permanently but reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Subject to sealing under § 260B.171; destruction timelines vary based on offense severity
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- Washington County District Court retains case records permanently under Minnesota court rules
- The Washington County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records according to the county's adopted retention schedule
- The Minnesota BCA retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed after scanning and verification, but the electronic record persists.
Expungement
Minnesota's expungement statute allows eligible individuals to petition for sealing of criminal records. Upon a court order of expungement, records are sealed from public view, though law enforcement agencies may retain access for specified purposes. Expungement does not destroy records but restricts their disclosure. Eligibility criteria and petition forms are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch self-help center.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are not affected by Minnesota expungement orders unless the FBI is separately notified and complies with the sealing request.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under Minnesota law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though Minnesota imposes additional restrictions on employer use of criminal history data. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of all convictions regardless of age.
As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records pursuant to its retention schedule, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a court has issued a valid expungement order covering those records.