Apple Valley Criminal Court Records Lookup

Criminal court records for Apple Valley are filed and kept at Dakota County District Court in Hastings, not by the city. Apple Valley is in Dakota County, and all criminal cases arising within the city go through the county court. The city police department handles arrests and writes incident reports, but court records are a county responsibility. You can find Apple Valley criminal court records online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, or go to the courthouse in Hastings.

Dakota County District Court

Dakota County District Court in Hastings is the court of record for Apple Valley criminal cases. It handles felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors. The 1st Judicial District covers Dakota County along with several other south-metro and greater Minnesota counties. All case documents, judgments, and court orders for Apple Valley criminal matters are held by this court.

Hastings is about 25 miles from Apple Valley. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow free on-site MCRO searches. Walk-in service is available during business hours. MCRO and the online copy form cover most remote requests without needing to visit in person.

Searching MCRO for Apple Valley Records

The Minnesota Court Records Online system is the best free way to find Apple Valley criminal court records. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us and choose Dakota County. The MCRO guide at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro has additional instructions. Search by name or case number to pull up charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and case status.

Case documents from filings on or after July 1, 2015 are free to view and download. Earlier records need a written request. Dakota County has a steady criminal docket that includes cases from several south-metro cities. For common names, add a date of birth to filter results. MCRO updates the court calendar each morning and throughout the day.

MCRO Portal Screenshot

The Minnesota Court Records Online portal is the main tool for searching criminal court records from Apple Valley and all other Minnesota cities.

MCRO covers all 87 Minnesota counties and is available at no cost for basic case searches. Documents filed from July 1, 2015 are available to view online.

Apple Valley Police Department

The Apple Valley Police Department provides law enforcement within the city. It makes arrests, responds to incidents, and keeps police reports. Police records and court records are not the same. If you need a police incident report, contact the police department. If you need a court case file, go to Dakota County District Court. The city and county are two separate agencies with separate record systems.

The Dakota County Sheriff handles county enforcement and is the contact for sheriff-related records. The sheriff's office is at co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/Sheriff. For city-side legal matters, the Apple Valley city attorney is at applevalleymn.gov/departments/city-attorney.

How to Get Copies

Apple Valley court records from cases filed after July 1, 2015 are available free through MCRO. For certified copies, contact Dakota County District Court in Hastings. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free since July 1, 2023. Submit copy requests at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request online, or by mail or in person at the Hastings courthouse.

Mail requests should include the case number, party name, and the documents you need. Standard processing takes a few business days. Older records from before MCRO's coverage period may take additional time to locate and retrieve from storage.

BCA Criminal History Database

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide conviction database that includes Dakota County cases from Apple Valley. Each search costs $8 and requires the full legal name and date of birth. It returns conviction records from the past 15 years across all Minnesota counties. Run the search at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/criminal-history-search.aspx.

BCA results show convictions only. Dismissed charges and cases with not-guilty outcomes don't appear. For complete case history, use MCRO or request from Dakota County District Court. BCA gives a fast statewide conviction summary, but the court is the only source for full case documents and detailed records.

Expungement in Apple Valley

Apple Valley criminal cases are expunged through Dakota County District Court in Hastings. Minnesota provides two paths for clearing a criminal record. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 covers petty misdemeanors and cases closed without conviction under specific circumstances. Other offenses require a formal petition under Chapter 609A and a court hearing before a judge.

The courts' guide at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement covers eligibility, forms, and what to expect at a hearing. Dakota County legal aid organizations may assist with the process. The Hastings courthouse self-help resources are also available to the public.

Minnesota Data Practices Act

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 governs public access to government records in Minnesota. Most criminal court records are public. Some data is private under the law, including juvenile records, victim contact information in certain case types, and records sealed by court order. The statute text is at revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/13.

City departments in Apple Valley also operate under Chapter 13. For city-held data, contact the city directly. Court records require a request to Dakota County District Court. These are separate systems, and neither agency holds the other's records.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities in Minnesota also file criminal court records with their respective county district courts.