Koochiching County Criminal Court Records
Koochiching County criminal court records are on file at the District Court in International Falls, a border city on the Rainy River across from Canada. The 6th Judicial District handles all criminal matters here. Court Administrator Lisa Havluck oversees the office at 715 4th Street. You can search records for free online through Minnesota Court Records Online, or stop by the courthouse during business hours to look up cases in person.
Koochiching County Overview
District Court in International Falls
International Falls is best known as one of the coldest cities in the contiguous United States. The District Court there handles a range of criminal matters, including cases that arise near the U.S.-Canada border. The courthouse is at 715 4th Street, and free parking is available in a surface lot as well as on the street nearby.
| Address | 715 4th Street, International Falls, MN 56649 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (218) 283-1160 |
| Fax | (218) 283-1162 |
| Court Administrator | Lisa Havluck |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 6th District |
| Parking | Free surface lot and on-street parking |
Public access terminals are in the building and let you search MCRO on-site at no charge. For copy requests, go directly to the court administrator's office. Staff can tell you what forms to fill out and what fees apply.
Searching Records Online Through MCRO
The Minnesota Court Records Online system at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us covers criminal cases from all 87 Minnesota counties. Koochiching County records are part of this database. You can search by name or case number. Results show case filings, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes.
Given the county's remote location, online access is the most practical option for most people. You don't need an account or login to search MCRO. The system is available around the clock. If you find a case, you can see basic details without paying anything. Copies cost extra.
Some records are not visible. Juvenile cases, sealed records, and matters under expungement orders are hidden from public view. This follows Minn. Stat. Chapter 13, which governs public access to government data in Minnesota.
Note: The weekly court calendar for Koochiching County is posted at 7:00 AM daily and updated hourly. Printed calendars outside the courtrooms have the most current hearing information. Confidential cases are not listed publicly.
Requesting Copies of Court Records
Copies of criminal case records can be obtained in person or by mail. Uncertified copies are free since July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14 each. In-person requests are processed while you wait in most cases. Bring the case number or the full name of the person whose record you need.
Mail requests go to the court administrator at 715 4th Street, International Falls, MN 56649. Include the case number, document type, and your return address. For certified copies, enclose a check payable to the Koochiching County District Court. See the Minnesota Courts copy request page for full instructions.
The court handles mail requests in the order they arrive. Processing time depends on how busy the office is. Call (218) 283-1160 if you have questions before sending your request.
BCA Statewide Criminal History
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension operates a public criminal history search at dps.mn.gov. Each search costs $8. The database includes conviction records from all Minnesota counties going back 15 years. This includes records from Koochiching County cases that led to convictions.
BCA records and MCRO records serve different purposes. MCRO shows complete case histories with all filings and hearings. BCA results show a summary of convictions only. If you want to know whether someone has a conviction in Minnesota, the BCA is a quick way to find out. For full case details, use MCRO.
Koochiching County Sheriff
The Koochiching County Sheriff's Office covers law enforcement for this large, forested county on the Canadian border. Arrest records and jail information are available through the sheriff's office at koochichingsheriff.com. Jail information can be found at co.koochiching.mn.us.
The county government site is at co.koochiching.mn.us. Sheriff records are separate from court records. An arrest does not mean charges were filed. Use MCRO to find out if a case was formally brought in district court after an arrest.
Self-Help Resources and Expungement
The statewide Self-Help Center is available by phone for Koochiching County residents at (651) 435-6535, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Staff can answer questions about forms, procedures, and where to file. International Falls is far from most legal aid offices, so this remote service is often the most practical option for residents.
If you want to get a criminal record sealed, look into expungement under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. You file the petition at the Koochiching County District Court. Details are at mncourts.gov. The Self-Help Center can help you fill out the right forms.
Court fees for various types of filings are listed at mncourts.gov. Fee waivers are available for people who qualify. Ask the clerk when you file.
Court Resources for Koochiching County
The Minnesota Courts page for Koochiching County is at mncourts.gov/find-courts/koochiching. It has courthouse hours, a phone number, and links to local notices. The county government site is at co.koochiching.mn.us.
The 6th Judicial District page is at mncourts.gov. This covers all six counties in the district. Resources posted there apply across the whole region.
The image below is from the Minnesota Courts website and shows court contact information for Koochiching County.
Use the link above or the search widget on this page to look up Koochiching County criminal court records.
Nearby Counties
Koochiching County borders Lake of the Woods County to the north, St. Louis County to the east, and Itasca County to the south.