Search Nobles County Criminal Court Records
Nobles County criminal court records are filed with and maintained by the 5th Judicial District Court Administration office in Worthington, covering all criminal cases from misdemeanors through felonies filed in the county. Free online access is available through Minnesota Court Records Online, and in-person requests can be made at 318 9th St during regular business hours.
Nobles County Overview
Nobles County District Court
The Nobles County District Court is in Worthington, the county seat and largest city in the county. Worthington is a growing regional center in southwest Minnesota, and the district court handles a range of criminal matters reflecting that activity. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District. Court Administration manages all filings, hearing schedules, and records requests.
| Court | Nobles County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 318 9th St, Worthington, MN 56187 |
| Phone | (507) 295-5280 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 5th Judicial District |
The Nobles County court page on mncourts.gov provides current hours, judge information, and contact details for the courthouse. Check it before visiting to confirm any schedule changes.
The Nobles County website and the Sheriff's Office page link to arrest records and other local resources related to criminal proceedings.
The mncourts.gov court directory entry for Nobles County is the reliable source for verified courthouse contact information.
MCRO Online Search
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free tool for searching Nobles County criminal court records. No account needed. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. You will see case type, charges, hearing dates, and final disposition. Case documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are viewable and downloadable at no cost.
Note: Cases that did not result in a conviction are restricted from name-based searches. To find those records, you need a case number. Call Court Administration at (507) 295-5280 if you need help locating a case number.
The court calendar is posted on MCRO at 7:00 AM each morning and updated hourly throughout the day. Use it to check when a Nobles County case is scheduled for a hearing before making the trip to Worthington.
Older records that are not in the digital system require a written or in-person request. Staff at the Worthington courthouse can confirm what is available and the best way to request older files.
Copies and Document Requests
Uncertified court document copies are free as of July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14. Request copies in person at 318 9th St, by mail, or through the online portal at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request.
In-person requests are typically the fastest. A case number helps, but staff can search by name if you do not have it. For mail requests, include a clear description of the documents you need, the case number if known, and payment for certified copies. The online portal is a good option if traveling to Worthington is not practical.
The statewide fee schedule is at mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees. Fees are the same across all Minnesota district courts.
Nobles County Sheriff Records
The Nobles County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, jail booking logs, and incident reports. These are separate from district court records. Sheriff records document the arrest and booking process. Court records begin when charges are formally filed in district court.
For a recent arrest not yet in MCRO, the sheriff's office is the right first call. Cases can take several days to appear in the court system after an arrest. The sheriff can confirm current custody status and provide basic booking information.
Contact the Sheriff's Office for current records request procedures, identification requirements, and any fees. Worthington is a larger county seat than most in the 5th District, and the sheriff's office handles a broader range of case types as a result.
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offers a statewide conviction search for $8 through the Department of Public Safety website. It covers all 87 counties for the past 15 years. You need the full legal name and date of birth of the person being searched.
BCA results cover only convictions. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and open cases are not in the database. MCRO is the right tool for those records. Use the BCA for a broad statewide conviction check, and MCRO for deeper county-level detail.
Federal criminal records are not in MCRO or the BCA. Use PACER for federal court cases.
Criminal Record Expungement
Minnesota law provides two paths to expunge a criminal record. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 applies to certain favorable case outcomes without a petition. Petition-based expungement under Chapter 609A requires filing a formal motion and attending a court hearing in Worthington.
Expungement seals the record from public MCRO searches and most background check databases. Law enforcement agencies retain access. Some professional licensing boards may also keep access depending on offense type and license category.
To file in Nobles County, submit a petition to Court Administration at 318 9th St in Worthington. Guides and forms are at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement. The public access terminals at the courthouse can help you review your own records before filing your petition. Timeline from filing to ruling typically spans several months.
Data Practices and Public Access
Access to Nobles County criminal court records is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. Most criminal case records become public after a case is filed in district court. Juvenile records, records sealed by court order, and records involving protected parties are not publicly available.
Public access terminals at the Worthington courthouse allow free MCRO searches on-site during regular business hours. No appointment is needed. These terminals are the same as searching from home, with courthouse staff available if you have questions.
If a record is restricted, Court Administration can confirm its existence without sharing the content. That acknowledgment is itself public data under Minnesota law.
Nobles County sees more diverse criminal case types than many rural southwest Minnesota counties, in part because of Worthington's larger and more varied population. This can mean a broader range of case types in MCRO searches for this county compared to its neighbors.
Nearby Counties
Nobles County is in the far southwest corner of Minnesota near the Iowa and South Dakota borders.