Goodhue County Criminal Court Records

Goodhue County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the District Court in Red Wing, the county seat. The courthouse at 454 W 6th St serves all criminal case types, from petty misdemeanors to felonies. You can search most records online through Minnesota Court Records Online, or visit the courthouse in person to review files and request copies.

Goodhue County District Court

The Goodhue County District Court is part of the 1st Judicial District, which covers seven counties in southeast and south-central Minnesota. The court in Red Wing handles all criminal filings for the county, including felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and petty misdemeanor traffic cases. Court Administration manages the case files and handles records requests from the public.

The Goodhue County court page has directions, contact information, and details about services available at the Red Wing courthouse. Check this page before visiting for any holiday closures or schedule changes.

The court page also lists the forms most commonly used in Goodhue County proceedings, including those for requesting records and submitting written requests by mail.

Searching Criminal Court Records Online

The best free tool for Goodhue County criminal court records is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). It covers all 87 counties and lets you search by name, case number, or attorney. You can see charges, hearing dates, case outcomes, and view documents filed after July 1, 2015. Most searches return results within seconds. MCRO is free and does not require an account.

MCRO is the main public access tool, but the courthouse also has a public access terminal. If you are in Red Wing and want to search on-site, ask courthouse staff to point you to the terminal. You can use it for free during court hours. This is useful if you want to print documents directly from the terminal or need help navigating the system.

The court publishes a weekly public calendar. It is in PDF format and lists scheduled hearings. If you want to attend a public criminal proceeding or check when a case is scheduled, ask the clerk for the current calendar or check the mncourts.gov page for Goodhue County. Most criminal hearings are open to the public unless a judge has ordered otherwise.

Requesting Copies of Court Records

You can request copies of Goodhue County criminal court records in person or by mail. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are available at no charge as of July 1, 2023. To request records, go to the courthouse at 454 W 6th St, Red Wing, or mail a written request to that address.

When mailing a request, include the case number if you have it, the full name of the party, the type of document you need, and payment for certified copies. Make checks or money orders payable to Goodhue County Court Administration. Staff will process the request and mail the documents back to you. Turnaround depends on the complexity of the request and the age of the file. For guidance on what to include, visit the Minnesota Courts copy request help page.

In-person inspection of records is free. You can come to the courthouse, show your ID, and ask to review a file. If you want copies made while you are there, staff can do that at the time of your visit. Bring your own notes or a phone if you want to capture details without paying for copies.

Goodhue County Sheriff Records

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail information. If you are looking for records from an arrest that did not result in a court filing, the Sheriff's Office is the place to start. They handle law enforcement records separately from the court system. Once charges are filed, the case moves to the District Court and appears in MCRO. Before that, it is a Sheriff's Office matter.

The Sheriff's Office also maintains a jail roster. If you need to know whether someone is currently in custody at the Goodhue County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Jail information may also be available on their website. Incident reports can be requested from the records unit. Some reports are public and some are restricted depending on the status of any related investigation.

The Goodhue County government website links to all county departments, including the Sheriff, County Attorney, and other offices that may have records relevant to criminal cases. If you are not sure which agency has what you need, start there and follow the department links.

BCA Criminal History Search

For a broader criminal history search covering all of Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offers a statewide lookup at the BCA criminal history search page. The cost is $8 per name. Results include conviction data from the past 15 years across all Minnesota counties. The BCA pulls information from courts and law enforcement agencies statewide.

BCA records show convictions only. They do not show dismissed cases, acquittals, or charges that were reduced. Court records from MCRO give you more detail, including the full history of a case regardless of outcome. Use the BCA when you want a conviction-focused summary. Use MCRO when you want the full case record with all filings and documents.

Expungement in Goodhue County

Minnesota law allows people to petition for expungement of criminal records under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. If granted, the court seals the record from public searches. It will not appear in MCRO after the order takes effect. The Minnesota Courts expungement page explains eligibility, how to file, and what to expect from the process.

Cases in Goodhue County follow the same expungement rules as the rest of the state. You file a petition with the District Court in Red Wing. The court then sets a hearing date. If you have fewer than five cases, the Self-Help Center can often walk you through the process without an attorney. More complex situations may benefit from legal representation. The outcome depends on the type of offense and how much time has passed since the case ended.

Public access to Minnesota Government Data Practices information is governed by Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. Most criminal court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile records and files subject to a sealing order. If you have questions about what is available, call the court clerk before making a trip.

Nearby Counties

Goodhue County borders several counties in southeastern Minnesota, each with its own district court and criminal records office.