Ramsey County Criminal Court Records

Ramsey County criminal court records are maintained by the 2nd Judicial District, based at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown St. Paul at 15 W Kellogg Blvd. The county operates three court locations, each serving different case types and geographic areas. You can search most records online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, or visit any of the court locations in person during business hours.

Ramsey County Court Locations

Ramsey County has three court locations. Knowing which location handles your case type saves time. All felony trials take place at the downtown courthouse. Misdemeanor cases for suburban communities go to the Suburban Court in Maplewood. Juvenile matters are handled at the Juvenile and Family Justice Center in St. Paul.

The Ramsey County court page on mncourts.gov has current contact information, directions to all three locations, and information about services available at each site. Check there before you visit for any updates.

The court page also links to resources for self-represented parties, fee schedules, and information about the Self-Help Center available at the downtown location.

Searching Criminal Court Records Online

The primary tool for searching Ramsey County criminal court records is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). It is free, covers all 87 counties, and lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show charges filed, hearing dates, case status, and the final outcome. Documents filed after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no cost.

The Ramsey County Criminal Court page provides specific information about criminal proceedings in the county, including how cases move through the system and what to expect at each stage. This is a useful reference for people who have a case pending or who are trying to follow a case through the court process.

For information about court records and how to access them, see the Ramsey County court records page. It explains what types of records are available, how to make requests, and where to go for specific documents.

The court records page walks through the request process in detail, including what information to provide and how long processing typically takes for different types of requests.

Requesting Copies of Court Records

Copies of Ramsey County criminal court records can be requested in person, by mail, or by phone. Certified copies cost $14. Uncertified copies are free since July 1, 2023. For complete instructions on how to submit a request, visit the Minnesota Courts copy request page.

For mail requests, send payment by check or money order to Ramsey County Court Administration at 15 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102. Include the case number, full name of the party, what documents you need, and your return address. Checks should be made out to Ramsey County Court Administration. Agency requests are processed within five business days. Individual requests may vary.

Credit and debit card payments can be made by phone at (651) 266-8237 during business hours. You can also pay in person at the downtown courthouse counter. In-person visits also allow free inspection of public records. Bring a photo ID. The Self-Help Center at the downtown courthouse can assist with expungement and other self-help matters.

Ramsey County Sheriff and Law Enforcement

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is at 425 Grove St, St Paul, MN 55101, and can be reached at (651) 266-9585. The Sheriff handles arrest records, incident reports, and jail operations. For law enforcement records from arrests that did not result in criminal charges, the Sheriff is the right contact. Court records and law enforcement records are maintained separately.

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office page has contact details for the various divisions and explains how to request records. The records unit handles public requests for incident reports and arrest information. Some records tied to active investigations may be temporarily withheld but become available once the investigation is complete.

The Sheriff's page also provides information about jail services and how to find out if someone is currently in custody at the Ramsey County Jail in St. Paul.

County Attorney and Record Sealing

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office handles prosecution of criminal cases in the county. The office also offers a special program for people who want to seal their criminal records. The Sealing Criminal Records to Enhance Justice program works alongside the standard expungement petition process. If you have a Ramsey County criminal record and want to explore sealing options, this program is worth looking into.

The County Attorney's Office handles both the program and prosecution side of criminal cases. If you have questions about whether your case qualifies for their record sealing initiative, contact the office directly.

The BCA also plays a role in the expungement process. When a Ramsey County court grants expungement under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A, the BCA updates its records to reflect the sealing. You can start a background check at the BCA criminal history search page for $8 per name. BCA records cover the past 15 years of conviction data across all 87 Minnesota counties.

Expungement and Public Access Rules

Ramsey County residents can petition the 2nd Judicial District Court for expungement of qualifying criminal records. The process is governed by Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. Full instructions are on the Minnesota Courts expungement page. The Self-Help Center at the downtown courthouse can assist with forms and explain the process for cases with fewer than five convictions. For more complex situations, legal representation is often useful.

Eligibility depends on the charge, outcome, and time elapsed since the case ended. Some dismissals qualify right away. Convictions typically have waiting periods based on offense level. Once a record is sealed, public searches including MCRO will not return it. Certain government agencies may still access sealed records under narrow legal circumstances.

Public access to Ramsey County criminal court records is governed by Minn. Stat. Chapter 13. Most criminal records are public. Juvenile records are confidential as a general rule, with limited exceptions for older teens charged with felony-level offenses. You can inspect public records for free at the courthouse. Copies cost $14 for certified and nothing for uncertified as of July 1, 2023.

Cities in Ramsey County

St. Paul is the largest city in Ramsey County and has its own page with records information specific to the city. All criminal cases from St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs are handled through the Ramsey County district court system.

Nearby Counties

Ramsey County is in the eastern Twin Cities metro and borders several counties in the region, each with its own district court and criminal records office.