Lyon County Criminal Court Records
Lyon County criminal court records are maintained by the 5th Judicial District Court Administration office in Marshall, covering all criminal cases filed in the county from traffic misdemeanors through felony charges. Free online searches are available through Minnesota Court Records Online, and in-person requests are handled at 607 W Main St during regular business hours.
Lyon County Overview
Lyon County District Court
The Lyon County District Court is in Marshall, the county's largest city and seat of county government. Marshall serves as a regional hub for southwest Minnesota and the court here handles criminal matters for the entire county. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District. Court Administration manages filings, hearing schedules, and record requests.
| Court | Lyon County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 607 W Main St, Marshall, MN 56258 |
| Phone | (507) 537-6730 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 5th Judicial District |
The Lyon County court page on mncourts.gov provides current contact details, judge assignments, and any schedule changes. Always check it before making a trip to Marshall.
The Lyon County website links to county departments including the Sheriff's Office and other offices involved in the criminal justice process.
The court directory page is the most reliable source for Lyon County court contact information and any updates to office procedures.
Online Case Search via MCRO
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the primary free resource for Lyon County criminal court records. No account needed. Search by name, case number, or attorney. You will see case type, charges, hearing dates, and final outcome. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download for free.
Note: Cases that did not result in a conviction are restricted from name searches. Only a case number search will return those records. Call Court Administration at (507) 537-6730 if you need help locating a specific case number.
MCRO posts the court calendar at 7:00 AM each day and updates it hourly. This lets you check hearing schedules from home before deciding whether to go to the courthouse. Lyon County tends to have a more active court docket than surrounding smaller counties given Marshall's size.
Pre-digital records not yet in the system require an in-person or written request. The Court Administration office can confirm what is available and the best way to obtain older files.
Copies of Court Records
As of July 1, 2023, uncertified copies of court documents are free. Certified copies cost $14. You can request them in person at the Marshall courthouse, by mail, or through the online copy request portal at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request.
In-person requests are processed at the Court Administration counter. Bring the case number if you have it. For mail requests, describe the documents clearly, include the case number if known, and send payment for any certified copies you need. Online requests are convenient if you do not want to travel to Marshall.
Court fee schedules, including document copy rates, are at mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees. Rates are statewide and the same at every Minnesota district court.
Sheriff Records in Lyon County
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, jail rosters, and incident reports separate from the district court. Sheriff records document the arrest and booking process. Court records begin when formal charges are filed in district court.
If you are looking for a recent arrest that has not yet appeared in MCRO, the sheriff's office is the right first stop. Cases can take several days to appear in the court system after an arrest, particularly during busy periods or for charges that require more processing time.
Contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office directly for records request procedures and any fees that may apply. Identification requirements can vary depending on what type of record you are requesting.
BCA Background Check
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide conviction database. Searches cost $8 and return conviction records from all 87 counties for the past 15 years. You need the subject's full legal name and date of birth. Run a BCA search through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.
The BCA covers only convictions. Dismissed cases, acquittals, and pending charges are not included. For those records, MCRO is the right tool. The BCA is well-suited for broad statewide conviction checks, while MCRO is better for detailed county-level case information.
Federal criminal records are not in either system. Use PACER for those.
Expungement in Lyon County
Two types of expungement are available in Minnesota. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 applies when certain case outcomes are reached. Petition-based expungement under Chapter 609A requires a formal motion and a court hearing.
Expungement seals a record from MCRO public searches and most background check systems. Law enforcement retains access. Some professional licensing boards may also keep access depending on the offense and license type.
To petition in Lyon County, file with Court Administration at 607 W Main St in Marshall. The Minnesota Courts website at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement has forms and a complete guide. The timeline from filing to a final ruling typically spans several months, with variation based on complexity and whether the prosecution objects.
Public Records and Privacy
Criminal court records in Lyon County are subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. Most criminal case records are public after a case is filed. Exceptions include juvenile records, records sealed by court order, and records with protected parties.
Public access terminals at the courthouse allow free MCRO searches on-site. These are available during regular business hours without an appointment. The terminals function the same as searching MCRO from home.
If a record is restricted, Court Administration can acknowledge that a sealed record exists without sharing its contents. That acknowledgment itself is public data under Minnesota law.
The Lyon County website is a useful resource for finding the right department when you are not sure where to start with a records request. Each department page lists contact information, hours, and often a description of what records they maintain.
Nearby Counties
Lyon County is bordered by several counties in the 5th Judicial District of southwest Minnesota.