Big Stone County Criminal Court Records
Big Stone County criminal court records are filed and maintained by the 8th Judicial District Court Administration office in Ortonville, covering all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases brought before the court. Most records can be searched free of charge through Minnesota Court Records Online, and the courthouse at 20 SE 2nd St handles in-person requests during regular business hours.
Big Stone County Overview
Big Stone County District Court
The Big Stone County District Court sits in Ortonville and handles all criminal matters filed in the county. It is part of the 8th Judicial District, which covers eleven counties across west-central Minnesota. Court Administration manages case filings, scheduling, and record access. Staff can be reached at (320) 839-2536 during regular office hours, Monday through Friday.
| Court | Big Stone County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 SE 2nd St, Ortonville, MN 56278 |
| Phone | (320) 839-2536 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
The Big Stone County court page on mncourts.gov has current hours, contact information for court staff, and details about hearings scheduled in the county. Check there before visiting, especially if you are traveling from out of town or need to confirm a specific judge is assigned to a case.
Search Criminal Records Online
The free starting point for Big Stone County criminal court records is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). MCRO covers all 87 counties and lets you search by party name, case number, or filing attorney. Results include the case type, charges filed, hearing dates, and the final disposition. Case documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no cost.
Note: Cases that did not result in a conviction are only searchable by case number, not by name. If you need help finding a case number, call Court Administration at (320) 839-2536 before visiting the courthouse.
MCRO is free and available at any time with no account required. The court calendar posts to MCRO each morning at 7:00 AM and is updated hourly during the day. For older paper records not yet digitized, you may need to visit the courthouse or send a written request to Court Administration in Ortonville.
Public access terminals are also available inside the courthouse for people who prefer to search in person. Staff can assist if you are unsure how to navigate the system or locate a specific case. There is no charge to use the public terminals.
Copies of Court Records
Anyone can request copies of Big Stone County criminal court records. Uncertified copies are free as of July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14 per document. To request copies by mail or online, use the Minnesota Courts copy request portal. You can also pick up copies at the Ortonville courthouse during business hours.
When you submit a request, include the full name of the defendant, the case number if you have it, and the specific documents you need. Processing times vary. In-person requests are usually filled on the same day. Mail requests may take a week or more, depending on staff workload and whether the records need to be pulled from storage.
Court files that are sealed or restricted by court order are not available to the public. This includes some juvenile records and cases involving protected parties. If a file is restricted, staff will let you know but cannot explain why it is sealed.
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) runs a statewide criminal history database separate from the court system. A BCA search covers felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from the past 15 years across all Minnesota counties, including Big Stone. You can request a BCA search online through the BCA criminal history search portal. Each search costs $8.
BCA records and MCRO records are not the same. MCRO shows court filings and case outcomes. BCA records reflect what law enforcement reported to the state. Both tools are useful. For a thorough background check, many people run both searches. The BCA database is commonly used by employers, landlords, and licensing agencies in Minnesota.
Self-searches are also available. If you want to know what appears in the BCA system under your own name, you can request a copy of your own record using the same portal. This is a good step before applying for jobs that require background checks.
Expungement of Criminal Records
People with criminal records in Big Stone County may be able to get those records sealed through expungement. Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A allows courts to seal certain criminal records if the person meets the eligibility criteria. Felony convictions generally require a longer wait than misdemeanors before you can apply.
An expungement petition must be filed with the Big Stone County District Court. There is a filing fee. Once granted, the record is sealed from public view, though some agencies, such as law enforcement and certain licensing boards, may still have access. The Minnesota Courts website has self-help resources for people who want to file without an attorney.
Note: Expungement seals the court record. It does not automatically update private background check databases. You may need to contact those companies separately after an expungement is granted.
Big Stone County Sheriff
The Big Stone County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the unincorporated areas of the county and assists local police agencies. The Sheriff's Office also maintains an in-house jail. Arrest records from the Sheriff start in that office before a case is forwarded to the District Court for prosecution. Jail roster information may be available through the Sheriff's Office directly.
If you are looking for an arrest that occurred recently and a court case has not yet been filed, check with the Sheriff's Office. Not every arrest results in a court case. The sheriff can confirm whether a person was booked and whether charges were forwarded to the county attorney for review.
The Big Stone County government website has contact information for all county departments, including the Sheriff's Office, County Attorney, and Court Administration. It is a useful starting point if you are not sure which office to call.
Court Fees and Costs
Court filing fees in Big Stone County follow the statewide schedule set by the Minnesota Legislature. The district court fee schedule on mncourts.gov lists current amounts. Fees vary by case type. Criminal defendants generally do not pay filing fees, but may owe fines, surcharges, and restitution as part of a sentence.
People who cannot afford court costs may apply for a fee waiver. The court will review your income and expenses to decide if you qualify. Ask Court Administration in Ortonville for the fee waiver form if you need one.
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 13) governs what records are public and what can be withheld. Criminal court records are generally public, but certain data, such as victim information and sealed files, is protected. Court staff follow these rules when processing record requests.
County Court Website
The Big Stone County District Court maintains a page on the statewide court website. You can find the Big Stone County court information page through mncourts.gov. That page lists the courthouse address, phone numbers, staff directory, and links to forms used in local proceedings. It also links to the weekly court calendar and self-help resources.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota Courts county court directory, which serves as the access point for Big Stone County court details and the public case search tool.
Use the link above or visit MCRO directly to start a case search. The public case search is available at no cost and does not require creating an account or logging in.
Nearby Counties
Big Stone County borders several other 8th District counties. Each has its own District Court office with separate case records.