Search Hennepin County Criminal Court Records

Hennepin County criminal court records are maintained by the 4th Judicial District, based at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. The county is Minnesota's most populous and handles a large volume of criminal cases each year, from petty offenses to serious felonies. Most records can be searched online for free, but some pre-conviction information is only available by phone or in person at the courthouse.

Hennepin County District Court

The main Hennepin County courthouse is at 300 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55487. The main phone number is (612) 348-6000. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Records Center is on the B-Level and Skyway Level of the Government Center. Public access terminals are available on the B-Level for anyone who wants to search records in person at no cost.

The Hennepin County court page on mncourts.gov has the most current contact information, directions, and service details for the Minneapolis courthouse. Review that page before your visit to confirm hours and any service changes.

The court page also links to resources for self-represented litigants, fee information, and contacts for specific divisions within the court.

Searching Criminal Court Records Online

The primary free search tool is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). It covers all 87 counties and is open to anyone at no cost. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show charges filed, all hearings, case status, and the final outcome. Documents from July 1, 2015 onward are available to view and download for free.

There is an important limitation in Hennepin County. Pre-conviction criminal information is only available by phone or in person at the courthouse. Online records do not include street addresses for parties. If you need address information or pre-conviction details, call (612) 348-6000 or visit the Records Center at the Government Center in Minneapolis.

The Hennepin County criminal court records page provides specific guidance on accessing criminal case information. Visit the Hennepin criminal court records page for details on what is available and how to request it. This page covers both standard and specialized record types for the county.

For adult felony cases specifically, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office maintains a separate case search tool. The Hennepin County Attorney Case Search lets you look up adult felony cases by name. This is useful for tracking prosecutorial decisions and case status at the charging level, before a case may fully appear in MCRO.

The County Attorney case search is one of the more useful tools for tracking felony proceedings in Hennepin County, especially during the period between charge and arraignment.

Records Center and Copy Requests

The Hennepin County Records Center handles public records requests for court files. It is located on the B-Level and Skyway Level of the Government Center at 300 South 6th St, Minneapolis. The Records Center page explains what is available, how to submit a request, and what to expect during the process.

The Records Center page walks through what types of criminal records can be requested, how to submit a written request, and what options are available for in-person visits during business hours.

Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free since July 1, 2023. For the full instructions on how to submit a request by mail, phone, or in person, see the Minnesota Courts copy request help page. Mail requests go to Hennepin County Court Administration at 300 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Include the case number, full name of the party, the documents you need, and payment for certified copies. Make checks or money orders payable to Hennepin County Court Administration.

In-person inspection is free. Bring a photo ID. Public access terminals on the B-Level are available during court hours. You can search, view, and take notes at no cost. If you want the court to make copies, staff can assist you at the Records Center counter.

Hennepin County Sheriff and Jail Records

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is at 350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and can be reached at (612) 348-3744. The Sheriff handles arrest records, incident reports, and jail operations. For records tied to arrests that did not result in court charges, or for historical law enforcement records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website has information about the office, its divisions, and how to submit records requests. The site also provides access to jail information, including a roster of current inmates.

The Sheriff's website also explains how to access the jail roster, which is updated hourly. It shows both current inmates and people released within the past seven days. This is the most current source for booking status in Hennepin County.

The jail roster is updated every hour. It shows who is currently in custody and who was released in the past week. If you are trying to find out if someone was arrested and booked at the Hennepin County Jail, the roster is your fastest option. The roster is searchable by name and is publicly available on the Sheriff's website.

Warrant Search

Active warrants in Hennepin County can be checked through the Hennepin County District Court at (612) 348-6000 or in person at the courthouse. Warrant status can change quickly, so always verify directly with the court or Sheriff for the most current information.

The warrant search tool is one of the few county-specific tools of its kind in Minnesota and is a useful complement to MCRO when you want to know whether an active warrant is on file for a person.

Keep in mind that warrant records in MCRO may not reflect same-day changes. If warrant status is critical, verify through the court at (612) 348-6000 or through the Sheriff's Office. Do not rely solely on online records when accuracy on a specific date is required.

BCA Criminal History and Expungement

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide conviction database covering all 87 counties. A BCA search costs $8 per name and covers conviction data from the past 15 years. Start a search at the BCA criminal history search page. This is a good tool when you want a conviction summary that goes beyond Hennepin County or spans a longer period than MCRO shows in full detail.

BCA records show only convictions. Dismissed charges, pending cases, and acquittals are not in the BCA database. MCRO contains the full case history including non-conviction outcomes. Use both tools when you want the most complete picture. BCA for conviction summaries; MCRO for detailed case records.

Hennepin County residents can petition the 4th Judicial District Court for expungement of qualifying records under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. The Minnesota Courts expungement page explains eligibility and how to file. The Self-Help Center at the courthouse can assist with cases involving fewer than five convictions. For more complex cases, legal help is often useful. Once expungement is granted, the record is sealed from public searches including MCRO. Some government agencies may still access sealed records in limited circumstances as defined by law.

Government Data Practices and Access Rules

Public access to Hennepin County criminal court records is governed by Minn. Stat. Chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Most criminal records are public. Juvenile records are confidential in most cases. Files sealed by court order do not appear in public searches. Street addresses are not included in online record searches for Hennepin County, which differs from some other counties.

In-person access at the Records Center is free. You can inspect records, take notes, and photograph documents without paying. Certified copies cost $14. Uncertified copies are free. The court follows these rules consistently. If you believe a record exists but cannot find it online, call (612) 348-6000 or visit the B-Level Records Center during business hours. Staff can help you determine what is available and how to request it properly.

Cities in Hennepin County

Hennepin County includes Minneapolis and several large suburbs, each of which has its own page with local criminal court records information. All criminal cases from these cities are processed through the Hennepin County district court system.

Nearby Counties

Hennepin County is surrounded by several metro and regional counties, each with its own district court and criminal records office.