Dodge County Criminal Court Records
Dodge County criminal court records are maintained by the District Court in Mantorville, a small county seat with deep roots in Minnesota's judicial history. The court handles felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases filed within Dodge County, and most case information is available to the public through the Minnesota Court Records Online system. Whether you need to look up a past case, check charge status, or find court dates, this guide covers the main ways to access records in Dodge County.
Dodge County Overview
Dodge County District Court
The Dodge County District Court sits in Mantorville at 22 E 6th St. It is part of Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District, which covers nine counties in southeastern Minnesota. The Court Administrator's office takes calls at (507) 635-6269 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can help with questions about case filings, copy requests, and court schedules.
All criminal cases in Dodge County start and are processed here. Felony charges, DWIs, drug cases, assaults, and other criminal matters are all on file with this court. The public can request copies or search records through the state's online system without having to drive to Mantorville.
Search Records Online with MCRO
The Minnesota Court Records Online system, known as MCRO, is the main free tool for searching Dodge County criminal court records. You can access it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Searches are free. You can look up cases by name, case number, or citation number.
MCRO shows basic case details: the parties involved, charges filed, case status, and upcoming hearing dates. For cases filed on or after July 1, 2015, many documents are also available to view and download at no cost. Older cases may have limited information online, but you can still find basic details. The court calendar updates at 7:00 AM every day and refreshes every hour, so you can check hearing times with confidence.
Public access terminals are also available inside the Dodge County courthouse for those who prefer to search in person. Staff at the clerk's window can guide you if you run into trouble with a search.
Note: Some records are sealed or restricted by court order. Juvenile records, certain victim information, and cases subject to expungement orders will not appear in public searches.
Getting Copies of Court Records
Uncertified copies of Dodge County criminal court documents are free as of July 1, 2023. You can download many documents directly from MCRO if the case was filed after July 2015. For older records or physical copies, you must contact the court directly.
Certified copies cost $14 per document. These are official copies with the court's stamp and are often needed for legal proceedings or formal verification purposes. You can request them in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the court's online copy request process at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request.
When requesting by mail, include the full case number, the name of the defendant, the year the case was filed, and a description of the documents you need. Include payment for certified copies if required. The court will process your request and mail the documents back to you.
For questions about fees and the full schedule, visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees.
BCA Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, or BCA, maintains a statewide criminal history database separate from the court system. A BCA search costs $8 per person and shows felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from the past 15 years across all Minnesota counties, not just Dodge. You can request a search at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca.
BCA records are useful when you want a broader picture of someone's criminal history in the state. The court records in MCRO are specific to cases filed in a particular county, while a BCA search spans Minnesota. The two systems serve different purposes. Neither is a substitute for a full legal background check performed by a licensed agency.
Dodge County Sheriff's Office
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county. Their website at dodgecountysheriff.net may provide information on jail rosters or local arrest logs. For active warrants or arrest inquiries, contact the sheriff's office directly.
Criminal cases in Dodge County often start with an arrest by the sheriff's office or local police departments in cities like Kasson or Hayfield. After arrest, the case goes to the District Court where records become part of the public court file. The sheriff does not maintain the same records as the court; they have separate arrest and incident databases.
For county government services and additional information, the Dodge County website at co.dodge.mn.us lists department contacts and public resources.
Expungement of Criminal Records
People with criminal records in Dodge County may qualify to have those records sealed under Minnesota law. Expungement removes court records from public view and limits access by most agencies. Two main pathways exist in Minnesota.
The first is automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015. Certain low-level offenses are expunged automatically after a waiting period without the need to file a petition. The second is petition-based expungement under Chapter 609A of the Minnesota Statutes. You file a petition with the Dodge County District Court and attend a hearing. The judge reviews the case and decides whether to grant the expungement.
For more on the process and eligibility, visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement. Legal aid organizations in the region can also help with petitions at low or no cost.
Public Records Law in Minnesota
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act, found at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13, governs how public records are handled across state and local agencies. Criminal court records are generally classified as public data unless a specific law or court order restricts access. This means most Dodge County criminal case information is available to anyone who asks.
There are exceptions. Records involving juveniles are largely private. Victims' addresses and other sensitive details may be redacted. Cases that have been expunged are no longer public. If you believe a record should be accessible but cannot find it, you can submit a formal data request to the court under the Act.
The court has an obligation to respond and either provide the data or explain why it is restricted. This process applies to Dodge County just as it does to every court in Minnesota.
About the 3rd Judicial District
Dodge County is part of Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District, one of ten judicial districts in the state. The 3rd District covers nine counties in southeastern Minnesota and is headquartered in Rochester, which sits in neighboring Olmsted County. Information about the district, its judges, and court locations can be found at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/District/3.aspx.
The District Court in each county operates under the same statewide rules and procedures. Fees, copy policies, and access rules are consistent across the district. Local court administrators handle day-to-day operations in each county.
The Dodge County District Court page on mncourts.gov lists current court contact details, local rules, and additional resources for people looking up criminal records or navigating court proceedings in the county.
The court page provides up-to-date contact information and links to online search tools for Dodge County cases.
Nearby Counties
Criminal court records in counties near Dodge are also part of the 3rd Judicial District or neighboring districts. Each county has its own court and records office.