Search Faribault County Criminal Court Records

Faribault County criminal court records are maintained by the 5th Judicial District Court Administration office in Blue Earth, and cover all criminal filings in the county including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies. Free online access is available through Minnesota Court Records Online, and in-person requests can be made at 415 N Main St during weekday business hours.

Faribault County District Court

The Faribault County District Court is located in Blue Earth. Do not confuse this with Blue Earth County, which is a separate county. Faribault County's seat is the city of Blue Earth, and that is where you go for court matters in this county. The court handles all criminal cases filed in Faribault County and is part of the 5th Judicial District.

The Faribault County court page on mncourts.gov is the best place to confirm current hours, judge information, and any announcements from the court. Verify before visiting, particularly around state or county holidays.

The Faribault County website links to all county departments, including sheriff and county attorney offices that handle records related to criminal proceedings.

The court directory page on mncourts.gov is a reliable starting point to verify the right contact before submitting any records request.

Free Online Record Search

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free public tool for searching Faribault County criminal court records. It covers all 87 Minnesota counties and needs no account to use. Search by name, case number, or attorney. You will see charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no cost.

The court calendar in MCRO is posted at 7:00 AM daily and updated every hour. If you need to know when a specific case is scheduled for hearing, check the calendar the morning of the hearing or the night before. This is free and does not require logging in.

Pre-digital records not yet scanned may require an in-person or written request to the clerk's office in Blue Earth. Staff can confirm availability and guide you through the process.

Getting Copies of Court Records

Uncertified copies are free as of July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14. You can request copies in person, by mail, or online at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request.

In-person is often the fastest route. Bring the case number or the full name of the person whose records you need. For mail requests, write out your request clearly with as much identifying detail as possible and include payment for certified copies. Processing times for mail requests can vary by workload.

The full fee schedule for court records and filings is at mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees. These rates apply statewide and are set by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Faribault County Sheriff

The Faribault County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records, jail booking logs, and incident reports for the county. These records are separate from district court files. Arrest records reflect the booking process; court records reflect what happens after charges are formally filed.

If you are looking for information about a very recent arrest that has not yet appeared in MCRO, the sheriff's office is the place to start. Charges may not show in the court system for several days after an arrest.

Contact the sheriff's office directly for current procedures on how to request records and what identification you need to bring. Request fees and turnaround times can vary.

Statewide BCA Criminal History

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide database of criminal convictions. A search costs $8 and returns records from all Minnesota counties going back 15 years. You need the person's full legal name and date of birth. Run a search at the Department of Public Safety website.

BCA results show only convictions. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and open cases are not included. For those records, use MCRO. The BCA is best suited to a broad statewide conviction check rather than a deep dive into a single county's records.

Federal criminal records are on PACER, not in MCRO or the BCA. If you are searching for federal charges, you will need to use that separate system.

Criminal Record Expungement

Minnesota law offers two routes to expunge a criminal record. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 applies to certain case outcomes without a formal petition. Petition-based expungement under Chapter 609A requires filing a motion and attending a court hearing.

Once expungement is granted, the record is sealed from public MCRO searches and most background check systems. Law enforcement agencies retain access. Some licensing boards may also retain access depending on the offense and license type.

To file in Faribault County, submit a petition to Court Administration at 415 N Main St in Blue Earth. The Minnesota Courts website at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement has forms, instructions, and an overview of eligibility. Petitions can take several months to work through the process before a final ruling is issued.

Data Practices and Public Access

Access to Faribault County criminal court records is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. Most criminal case records are public once a case is filed. Exceptions include juvenile records, records sealed by court order, and records involving protected parties or witnesses.

Public access terminals at the courthouse allow any visitor to search MCRO and view court records on-site at no cost. No appointment is needed. These terminals are useful if you need to review digital files in person or print documents for a small per-page fee.

If a record is restricted, staff can confirm it exists without sharing the content. That acknowledgment is itself public information. If you need to know whether a record was ever created, you can ask and staff will tell you what they can.

Nearby Counties

Faribault County borders several other 5th Judicial District counties in south-central Minnesota.