Search Rochester Criminal Court Records
Rochester criminal court records are filed and maintained at the Olmsted County District Court in Rochester. The city itself does not keep criminal court records. All felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases arising from arrests in Rochester go through Olmsted County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District. The Rochester Police Department handles local arrests. The City Attorney prosecutes some misdemeanor cases, but the official record for any criminal case lives at the county courthouse. You can search case information for free online through Minnesota Court Records Online, or visit the courthouse in person. Rochester also has a designated data practices officer who handles public records requests under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Rochester Overview
Olmsted County District Court
All criminal court records for Rochester cases are at the Olmsted County District Court. This court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and handles all stages of criminal proceedings. The Court Administrator's office maintains official case files and processes copy requests from the public and attorneys.
| Address | 151 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (507) 328-7600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| District | 3rd Judicial District |
| Court Info | mncourts.gov/find-courts/olmsted |
Public access terminals at the courthouse connect to the MCRO system. Walk-in service is available without an appointment during business hours. Bring the case number or defendant's full name to speed up your search.
Searching Cases Online
Minnesota Court Records Online is the best free tool for finding Rochester criminal cases. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us, select Olmsted County, and enter a name or case number. Results show charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. Documents from cases filed on or after July 1, 2015, are available to download in PDF format at no cost.
The court calendar posts each morning at 7:00 AM and updates every hour throughout the day. Rochester is one of the larger cities in greater Minnesota, and Olmsted County has a moderately active criminal docket. If you are searching a common name, use a case number when available for more precise results. Hearing eReminders through MCRO can notify you about upcoming court dates for cases you want to follow.
Note: Juvenile records and cases sealed by court order do not appear in the public MCRO search. These records are restricted under Minnesota law.
Rochester Police Department
The Rochester Police Department handles arrests in the city. For copies of police reports, you work with the police department, not the court. The RPD is at 101 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The non-emergency line is (507) 328-6800. The 311 service is at (507) 328-7400.
Police report requests are handled through the records office. Information about that process is at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/police-department/records. Crime statistics for Rochester are published at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/police-department/crime-statistics. The RPD main page is at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/police-department. The Olmsted County Sheriff is at olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-departments/sheriffs-office.
City Attorney and Data Practices
The Rochester City Attorney's Office prosecutes misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor cases arising within city limits. For felony cases, the Olmsted County Attorney handles prosecution. Even so, all cases are on file at Olmsted County District Court, not at City Hall. The city attorney is at 201 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904, reachable at (507) 328-2900. More information is at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/city-attorney-s-office.
Rochester has a designated data practices officer. Public records requests are accepted online or in person, with responses typically within 10 business days. The city follows the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. The data practices page is at rochestermn.gov/government/data-practices-and-public-records. For city-level government records, that is where you start. For criminal court records, go to the Olmsted County courthouse.
Screenshot: MCRO Portal
The Minnesota Court Records Online system is where you search for Rochester criminal court cases. The portal covers all Minnesota counties and is free to use.
Select Olmsted County when searching Rochester cases. The system shows case details, charges, and documents going back to July 2015. For older records, contact the Olmsted County District Court directly.
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide criminal history database covering all Minnesota counties. A BCA search costs $8 and requires the person's full legal name and date of birth. Results show conviction data up to 15 years back. Access it at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/criminal-history-search.aspx.
BCA results show convictions only. Arrests without conviction, dismissed charges, and acquittals do not appear. For a full case history including all charges filed, use MCRO or request records from Olmsted County District Court. The BCA is useful for a quick statewide conviction check, but it does not replace a full court records search for specific cases in Rochester.
Expungement of Rochester Criminal Records
Criminal cases arising in Rochester are subject to Minnesota expungement law. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 covers petty misdemeanor convictions and certain cases closed without conviction. For other offenses, you must file a petition under Chapter 609A and attend a hearing at Olmsted County District Court.
The full guide with forms and eligibility information is at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement. Legal aid organizations serving southeastern Minnesota can assist if you need help with the process. The Olmsted County courthouse also has self-help materials at the public counter.
Requesting Copies
To get copies of Rochester criminal court records, use MCRO for documents from cases filed after July 1, 2015, at no cost. For certified copies or older records, contact Olmsted County District Court. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. Submit requests in person, by mail, or through the online form at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request. Court fees are listed at mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees.
Olmsted County District Court
All criminal court records for Rochester are filed and maintained at Olmsted County District Court. Visit the county page for full court details and search tools.