Murray County Criminal Court Records

Murray County criminal court records are maintained by the 5th Judicial District Court Administration office in Slayton, covering all criminal cases filed in the county from minor traffic offenses through felony charges. Free online searches are available through Minnesota Court Records Online, and in-person requests are handled at 2848 Broadway Ave during regular weekday hours.

Murray County District Court

The Murray County District Court is in Slayton. The court handles all criminal proceedings filed in the county as part of the 5th Judicial District. Court Administration oversees filings, hearing schedules, and public records requests. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (507) 836-6161 to reach staff during business hours.

The Murray County court page on mncourts.gov has current hours, judge assignments, and contact information. Always verify before visiting since small courthouse schedules can shift around holidays or court events.

The Murray County website and the Murray County Sheriff's Office page provide additional local resources for records access.

The court directory entry on mncourts.gov is the most reliable point of reference for Murray County courthouse contact information.

Searching Murray County Criminal Records

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free tool for searching Murray County criminal court records. No account needed. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Results include case type, charges, hearing dates, and disposition. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are free to view and download.

MCRO posts the court calendar each morning at 7:00 AM and updates it hourly. This lets you track Murray County case schedules without calling the courthouse. The tool is free and available around the clock.

Older paper records not yet digitized require an in-person or written request. Given Murray County's small size, older files may still be stored at the courthouse. Staff can tell you what is in the system and what requires a manual request.

Getting Copies of Court Documents

Since July 1, 2023, uncertified copies of court records are free. Certified copies cost $14. You can request them in person, by mail, or through the online portal at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request.

For Murray County, in-person requests during office hours are a reliable approach. The courthouse in Slayton has a small staff and in-person requests are often handled quickly. Mail requests work but may take additional time. The online system is a good alternative if you cannot travel to Slayton.

The statewide fee schedule is at mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees. No additional county fees apply for copies.

Murray County Sheriff Records

The Murray County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, jail booking logs, and incident reports. These are separate from district court records. Arrest records start at booking. Court records start when formal charges are filed in district court.

For a recent arrest not yet in MCRO, the sheriff's office is the right first stop. There can be a lag between arrest and when the case appears in the court system. The sheriff's office can confirm current custody status and provide information about the booking process.

For records requests from the sheriff, expect to show a valid photo ID. Contact the office directly to learn about available records, copy fees, and the request process. Procedures can vary depending on the type of record and the nature of the request.

BCA Criminal History Database

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offers a statewide criminal history search for $8 per query through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. The database covers conviction records from all 87 counties going back 15 years. You must supply the full legal name and date of birth of the person being searched.

BCA results show only convictions. Dismissed charges, pending cases, and acquittals are not included. For those, MCRO is the right tool. Use the BCA when you want a fast, statewide conviction check rather than a detailed county-level case search.

Federal criminal records are not in the BCA or MCRO. Those require the federal PACER system.

Expungement in Murray County

Minnesota law offers two options for sealing criminal records. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 applies to certain case outcomes without a petition. Petition-based expungement under Chapter 609A requires filing with the court and attending a hearing.

Expungement seals the record from public MCRO searches and most background check databases. Law enforcement retains access. Certain licensing boards may also keep access depending on offense type.

To petition in Murray County, file with Court Administration at 2848 Broadway Ave in Slayton. Guides and forms are at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement. Public access terminals at the courthouse can help you review your own case records before filing. Timeline from filing to ruling generally spans several months.

Data Practices and Access

Criminal court records in Murray County are governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. Most criminal case records are public once a case is filed. Juvenile records, records sealed by court order, and records with protected individuals are exceptions.

A public access terminal at the Slayton courthouse lets anyone search MCRO and review court records on-site for free. No appointment is required during regular hours. Because Murray County's courthouse is smaller, staff may be directly available to assist you at the terminal.

If a record is sealed, Court Administration can confirm its existence without sharing the content. That acknowledgment is itself public data.

Murray County is one of the more rural counties in the 5th District, and the courthouse serves a relatively small population. This means court staff often have more time to help you navigate a records request than you might find at a larger, busier courthouse. Take advantage of that by calling ahead with questions rather than showing up without any information.

Nearby Counties

Murray County is a central point among several southwest Minnesota counties in the 5th Judicial District.