Chippewa County Criminal Court Records
Chippewa County criminal court records are kept by the 8th Judicial District Court Administration office in Montevideo, covering felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases filed in the county. Free online searches are available through Minnesota Court Records Online, and the courthouse at 629 N 11th St accepts in-person record requests during business hours, Monday through Friday.
Chippewa County Overview
Chippewa County District Court
The Chippewa County District Court is based in Montevideo and is part of the 8th Judicial District. It handles all criminal case types, from petty misdemeanors to felony charges filed in the county. Court Administration staff manage filings, schedule hearings, and process record requests. You can reach the office at (320) 269-7744, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
| Court | Chippewa County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 629 N 11th St, Montevideo, MN 56265 |
| Phone | (320) 269-7744 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
Visit the Chippewa County court page on mncourts.gov for current court hours, holiday schedules, staff contacts, and links to local forms. It is a good idea to check the page before you drive to Montevideo, especially if you need to confirm a filing deadline or ask about a specific case type.
Online Case Search
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the main free tool for searching Chippewa County criminal court records. It covers all 87 Minnesota counties and is available around the clock with no login required. You can search by full or partial name, case number, or attorney name. Results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and final disposition.
Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no cost through MCRO. The court calendar is posted each morning at 7:00 AM and is updated hourly throughout the business day. If you want to know when a hearing is scheduled, that is the fastest way to check without calling the courthouse.
Note: Cases that did not result in a conviction cannot be searched by name. You will need the case number to access those records. Call Court Administration at (320) 269-7744 for help locating a case number.
Public access terminals are available inside the Montevideo courthouse. Staff can assist if you need help using the terminals or locating older records. There is no charge to use the terminals during business hours.
Requesting Copies
Copies of Chippewa County criminal court records can be requested in person, by mail, or online. As of July 1, 2023, uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 each. Submit requests through the Minnesota Courts copy request page, or stop by the courthouse during business hours.
Include the defendant's full name, case number if available, and a description of the documents you need. In-person requests are typically filled the same day. Mail requests take longer and depend on record availability. If documents are in storage or need to be retrieved, allow extra time.
Sealed records and restricted files are not available to the general public. If a file is sealed, staff will note that but will not explain the reason. Juvenile records are generally restricted unless the court has ordered them open.
BCA Statewide Criminal History
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a criminal history database covering felony and gross misdemeanor convictions statewide. A search through the BCA criminal history search portal shows convictions from the past 15 years across all Minnesota counties, including Chippewa. Each search costs $8.
BCA records are separate from MCRO court records. MCRO shows court case filings and outcomes. BCA data reflects what law enforcement agencies reported to the state. Running both searches gives a more complete picture, especially for background checks used by employers or landlords. The BCA also allows individuals to request their own record.
Expungement in Chippewa County
If you have a criminal record in Chippewa County, you may qualify to have it sealed under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. Eligibility depends on the offense type, how long ago the case was resolved, and whether you have had any new charges since then. Petty misdemeanors and some misdemeanors have shorter wait times than felonies.
To start the process, file a petition with the Chippewa County District Court. There is a filing fee unless you qualify for a waiver. Once a court grants expungement, the record is sealed from public view. Some agencies, including law enforcement and certain licensing boards, may still access it. The Minnesota Courts self-help page has forms and step-by-step instructions if you want to file on your own.
Chippewa County Sheriff
The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement throughout the county and maintains the county jail. Arrest records originate with the Sheriff or local police before being forwarded to the county attorney for charging decisions. If a court case has not yet been filed, the Sheriff's Office may be able to confirm whether a person was booked.
The Chippewa County government website provides contact details for all county departments. Use it to find the County Attorney, Court Administration, or Sheriff's Office, depending on what you need. Not every arrest becomes a court case, so it is worth checking both the court system and the Sheriff's Office if you are tracking a recent incident.
The county attorney reviews charges sent by law enforcement and decides whether to proceed with prosecution. If you want to know if charges were filed after an arrest, MCRO is usually the fastest check once a case has been submitted to the court.
Court Resources and Fees
Court filing fees in Chippewa County follow the statewide schedule published at mncourts.gov. Criminal defendants are not charged filing fees, but fines, surcharges, and restitution may be ordered as part of a sentence. People who cannot pay court costs can ask for a fee waiver by filling out the income disclosure form available from Court Administration.
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13, sets the rules for what records are public and what may be withheld. Criminal court records are generally open, but data about protected parties, sealed files, and certain victim information is restricted. Staff will tell you if a specific record cannot be released, though they may not be able to say why.
The screenshot below shows the Chippewa County court listing on the Minnesota Courts website, which links directly to the public case search and local court contact details.
Click the image or visit the Chippewa County court page directly to access the public case search and other court resources.
Nearby Counties
Chippewa County borders several other 8th District counties. Each maintains its own District Court and separate case records.