Kandiyohi County Criminal Court Records
Kandiyohi County criminal court records are maintained by the 8th Judicial District Court Administration office in Willmar, covering all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases filed in the county. Most records are searchable for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, and the courthouse at 505 Becker Ave SW handles in-person requests during regular business hours.
Kandiyohi County Overview
Kandiyohi County District Court
The Kandiyohi County District Court is located in Willmar, the county seat, and is part of the 8th Judicial District. The court handles all criminal matters filed in the county, ranging from petty misdemeanors to serious felony charges. Court Administration manages case filings, hearing schedules, and record requests. Call (320) 231-6206 to reach the office during business hours.
| Court | Kandiyohi County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 505 Becker Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201 |
| Phone | (320) 231-6206 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
The Kandiyohi County court page on mncourts.gov has the most up-to-date contact details, holiday closures, and court calendar links. Check there before visiting the Willmar courthouse if you need to confirm hours or locate a specific form.
Search Records Online with MCRO
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free public tool for searching Kandiyohi County criminal court records. No account is needed. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include case type, charges, court dates, and final disposition. Documents from July 1, 2015 onward are available to view and download at no cost.
Kandiyohi County is one of the larger 8th District counties, and MCRO contains a substantial volume of case records from Willmar and the surrounding area. The daily court calendar is posted at 7:00 AM and updated hourly. If you need to know when a specific case is set for hearing, this is the fastest way to check.
Note: Cases that did not lead to a conviction are not searchable by name on MCRO. You need the case number. Contact Court Administration at (320) 231-6206 if you are trying to locate a specific case.
Public access terminals at the Willmar courthouse are free to use during business hours. Staff can help you navigate the system or pull up older records that may not be fully digitized yet.
Getting Copies of Records
Copies of Kandiyohi County criminal court records are available to the public. Uncertified copies are free as of July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14 per document. You can request copies through the Minnesota Courts copy request portal, in person at the courthouse, or by mail sent to Court Administration in Willmar.
When submitting a request, provide the defendant's full name and the case number if you have it. The more specific your request, the faster it will be processed. In-person requests are usually completed the same day. Mail requests take longer and may take a week or more if documents need to be retrieved from older storage.
Some court records are restricted or sealed by court order. If a record is not releasable, staff will let you know but cannot disclose the reason. Juvenile records are typically closed unless the court has ordered otherwise.
BCA Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes Kandiyohi County. A BCA search shows felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from the past 15 years. Searches are done through the BCA criminal history search portal and cost $8 each.
BCA records differ from what you find through MCRO. The BCA focuses on convictions reported by law enforcement agencies. MCRO shows the full court case record, including charges that were dismissed or reduced. Using both systems gives you a more complete view of someone's criminal history in Minnesota. Individuals can also search their own BCA record.
Employers and licensing boards frequently use BCA searches for background checks. If you are applying for a job or license that involves a criminal history check, it helps to know what the BCA has on file before you apply.
Expungement Options
Qualifying individuals with criminal records in Kandiyohi County may petition to have those records sealed under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. The law allows expungement of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after a waiting period based on offense type. Cases that did not result in conviction may be eligible sooner.
A petition must be filed with the Kandiyohi County District Court in Willmar. There is a filing fee, though waivers are available based on income. If granted, the record is sealed from public searches, but some agencies retain access. The Minnesota Courts website has self-help forms and instructions for people who want to file without hiring an attorney.
Note: Expungement seals court records but does not remove information from private background check databases automatically. Contact those services separately after expungement is granted.
Kandiyohi County Sheriff
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas of the county and operates the county jail. When a person is arrested, the Sheriff's Office creates the initial arrest record before the case goes to the county attorney for charging. If no charges were filed, the arrest may not appear in MCRO at all.
The Kandiyohi County government website provides contact details for all departments, including the Sheriff, County Attorney, and Court Administration. Willmar is the largest city in the county, so many county government offices are located there as well.
Court Fees and Data Practices
Filing fees in Kandiyohi County follow the statewide fee schedule at mncourts.gov. Criminal defendants generally do not pay filing fees but may owe fines, surcharges, or restitution as part of a sentence. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. Ask Court Administration in Willmar for the fee waiver form.
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 13) governs public access to court records. Criminal court records are generally public. Restricted data includes sealed files, victim information, and certain protected party information. Court staff apply these rules consistently when responding to record requests.
The image below shows the Kandiyohi County court listing through the Minnesota Courts directory, which links to the public case search and local court contact information.
Use the link above to access the court directory or go directly to MCRO to search Kandiyohi County criminal records.
Nearby Counties
Kandiyohi County shares borders with several west-central Minnesota counties, all within or adjacent to the 8th Judicial District.