Search Lake of the Woods County Criminal Court Records
Lake of the Woods County criminal court records are filed with the 9th Judicial District Court Administration office in Baudette, covering all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases filed in the county. The courthouse at 206 8th Ave SE handles in-person requests, and most records are available free through Minnesota Court Records Online any time of day without a trip to the courthouse.
Lake of the Woods County Overview
Lake of the Woods County District Court
The Lake of the Woods County District Court is in Baudette, the county seat along the Rainy River on the Canadian border. It is part of the 9th Judicial District, which spans a wide stretch of northern Minnesota. Court Administration manages all criminal case filings, public record requests, and hearing schedules. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call before you drive to Baudette, since this is one of Minnesota's most remote courthouses and staff availability can be limited.
| Court | Lake of the Woods County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 206 8th Ave SE, Baudette, MN 56623 |
| Phone | (218) 634-2836 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 9th Judicial District |
The Lake of the Woods County court page on mncourts.gov has current contact details, holiday schedules, and links to the court calendar for the Baudette courthouse.
The court directory listing includes directions to the Baudette courthouse and links to MCRO for online case search.
Free Online Record Search
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the public search tool for Lake of the Woods County criminal court records. It requires no login and runs 24 hours a day. Search by name, case number, or attorney name. Results include charges filed, hearing dates, case status, and how each case ended. Documents filed from July 1, 2015 onward are available to view and download for free.
Lake of the Woods County is one of the smallest counties in Minnesota by population. The caseload in Baudette is light compared to metro-area courts. That often translates to quicker service if you do need to visit in person. The daily court calendar is posted at 7:00 AM and updated as hearings are added or changed.
The MCRO information page on mncourts.gov explains what data is available, how to read case status codes, and what to do if you cannot find a record. Cases that ended without a conviction cannot be searched by name. You need the case number. Court Administration in Baudette can help you track down case numbers for specific matters.
Note: Public access terminals at the Baudette courthouse are free to use during business hours if you prefer to search on-site rather than online.
Requesting Copies
Anyone can request copies of Lake of the Woods County criminal court records. Since July 1, 2023, uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Requests can be submitted through the Minnesota Courts copy request portal, in person at the Baudette courthouse, or by mail to Court Administration at 206 8th Ave SE.
Include the full name of the defendant and the case number if you know it. In-person requests are usually processed the same day. Mail requests take longer. Records that are older than the MCRO document window (pre-July 2015) may be stored off-site and require additional time to retrieve. Sealed records are not available regardless of how the request is submitted.
County Resources and Sheriff
The Lake of the Woods County government website at co.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us lists contacts for all county offices, including the Sheriff, County Attorney, and Court Administration. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across the county and maintains the county jail. If someone has been arrested but charges have not yet been filed, the case will not show up in MCRO. Contact the Sheriff's Office for information about recent arrests or current custody status.
Lake of the Woods County is unique in Minnesota. The county is split into two non-contiguous sections by Lake of the Woods itself, with the Northwest Angle being the only part of the continental United States located north of the 49th parallel. The Baudette courthouse serves the main portion of the county. Because of the county's geography and small size, residents sometimes travel to Beltrami County in Bemidji for broader legal resources and court-related services.
BCA Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide criminal history database that covers Lake of the Woods County. BCA searches return felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from the last 15 years. Each search costs $8 through the BCA criminal history search portal. You need the person's full legal name and date of birth to run the search.
BCA results show only convictions reported by law enforcement agencies to the state system. They do not show charges that were reduced or dismissed. MCRO shows the full court record, including non-conviction outcomes. Running both searches gives the most complete picture of someone's criminal history. Self-searches are available through the BCA portal for individuals checking their own record.
Expungement of Criminal Records
Minnesota allows individuals to petition to seal criminal records under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. Some cases qualify for automatic expungement without a court filing under Minn. Stat. Section 609A.015. Check that provision first to see if the case qualifies automatically before going through the petition process.
If a petition is needed, file it with Lake of the Woods County District Court in Baudette. A filing fee applies unless you qualify for a waiver based on income. The waiting period before you can petition depends on the offense. Petty misdemeanors and dismissed cases may qualify sooner. Felony convictions require a longer wait. If the court grants expungement, the record is sealed from public view in court systems and certain state databases. The Minnesota Courts self-help page has forms and instructions.
Note: Court expungement seals records in state systems. Private background check companies may still hold older data and must be contacted separately to request removal.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13 governs access to public records, including court records. Criminal court records are generally public. Restricted categories include sealed case files, victim information, records involving juveniles, and data protected by court order.
Court staff in Baudette apply these rules to every request. If something cannot be released, they will explain why. In some cases a redacted version of a document is available. If you believe a record is public but have been told it cannot be released, the Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division can provide guidance on the Data Practices Act and your rights as a requester.
Nearby Counties
Lake of the Woods County borders Beltrami County to the south and Roseau County to the east, both part of the 9th Judicial District.