Find Maple Grove Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records for Maple Grove are filed at Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis, not at the city level. Maple Grove is in Hennepin County, and all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases from the city go through the county court system. The city has no criminal court of its own. Police records and court records are different things, kept by different agencies. This page explains how to find Maple Grove criminal court records, get copies, and use related state resources.

Hennepin County District Court

All Maple Grove criminal cases are processed at Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis. It is part of Minnesota's 4th Judicial District and is one of the highest-volume courts in the state. The court administrator holds all case files and handles copy requests. Maple Grove is in the northwest part of Hennepin County, roughly 15 miles from the courthouse.

Public access terminals at the courthouse let you use MCRO on-site for free. The court administrator's counter is available for walk-ins during business hours. No appointment is needed for routine records requests or inquiries.

Using MCRO for Maple Grove Cases

The Minnesota Court Records Online system is the best free way to find Maple Grove criminal court records without making the trip to Minneapolis. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us and select Hennepin County. Alternatively, start at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro. Search by name or case number to find charges, court dates, and case dispositions.

Documents from cases filed on or after July 1, 2015, are free to view and download as PDFs. Older records require a written request to the court. Hennepin County has a large docket. Common name searches can return many results, so using a date of birth or case number is helpful. The MCRO calendar posts each morning and updates hourly with that day's hearings.

MCRO Portal Screenshot

The Minnesota Court Records Online portal is the main tool for searching criminal court records from Maple Grove 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.

Maple Grove Police Department

The Maple Grove Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency. It handles arrests, patrols, and incident reporting within city limits. Police reports are not the same as court records. You cannot get police department records from Hennepin County District Court, and you cannot get criminal court records from the police department. They are separate systems.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office covers areas throughout Hennepin County. For sheriff-related records or county enforcement matters, go to hennepinsheriff.org. The city attorney for Maple Grove handles city-side legal matters at maplegrovemn.gov/departments/city-attorney/.

Getting Copies of Court Records

Start with MCRO for Maple Grove court records from cases filed after July 1, 2015. Case documents are free to download there. For certified copies, contact Hennepin County District Court. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free since July 1, 2023. Use the online request form at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request, or request by mail or in person at the courthouse.

Mail requests should include the case number, the party's name, and the documents you need. Most standard requests are ready in a few business days. Older records from before the MCRO era may need to be retrieved from storage, which can take additional time. Calling the court administrator's office first can help you estimate the timeline.

BCA Statewide Criminal History

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs a statewide conviction database that covers all 87 counties, including Hennepin County cases from Maple Grove. A BCA search costs $8 and requires the full legal name and date of birth. Results cover convictions from the past 15 years. The search is at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/criminal-history-search.aspx.

BCA results show convictions only. Dismissed charges and not-guilty outcomes won't appear. For complete case records, including all charges filed regardless of outcome, use MCRO or request directly from Hennepin County District Court. BCA is a good starting point for a statewide summary, but the court is the source for full case detail.

Expungement in Maple Grove

Maple Grove criminal cases are expunged through Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis. Two options exist under Minnesota law. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 covers petty misdemeanors and cases closed without conviction under certain conditions. All other cases require a petition under Chapter 609A and a hearing before a judge.

The courts' guide at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement explains the process, eligibility rules, and required forms. Legal aid groups serving Hennepin County can help with the petition. The self-help center at the Minneapolis courthouse also provides free assistance to people who represent themselves.

Data Practices and Record Access

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, the Government Data Practices Act, controls public access to government records in the state. Most criminal court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile records, victim contact information in certain cases, and records sealed by a judge. The statute is at revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/13.

City records held by Maple Grove departments fall under the same law. For records held by the city, contact Maple Grove City Hall or the city attorney's office. Court records require a request to Hennepin County District Court. Knowing which agency holds the records you need is the first step to a successful request.

Nearby Cities

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