Roseau County Criminal Records
Roseau County criminal court records are managed by the 9th Judicial District Court Administration office in Roseau, covering all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases filed in the county. Free public access to case data is available any time through Minnesota Court Records Online, and the courthouse at 606 5th Ave SW handles in-person requests Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Roseau County Overview
Roseau County District Court
The Roseau County District Court is located in the city of Roseau, near the Canadian border in the far north of Minnesota. The court is part of the 9th Judicial District and handles all criminal matters filed in Roseau County, from misdemeanors through felony charges. Court Administration manages all case filings, hearing scheduling, and public record requests. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (218) 463-2541 before making the trip, particularly if you need specific documents or have questions about case status.
| Court | Roseau County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 606 5th Ave SW, Roseau, MN 56751 |
| Phone | (218) 463-2541 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 9th Judicial District |
The Roseau County court page on mncourts.gov has current contact details, court calendar links, holiday closures, and directions to the Roseau courthouse. Check it before visiting to make sure the office is open and staffed on the day you plan to come.
The image below is from the Roseau County district court listing on the Minnesota Courts website, which is the official directory for all 87 Minnesota county courts and the primary source for local court contact information.
Follow that link to reach the Roseau County court page directly, or continue reading for a full guide to searching, requesting, and understanding criminal court records in the county.
Online Case Search Through MCRO
The main free tool for searching Roseau County criminal court records is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). No account or login is needed. The system runs 24 hours a day and covers all 87 Minnesota counties from one interface. Search by full name, case number, or attorney of record. Results show charges filed, hearing dates, case status, and how the case was resolved. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no cost.
Roseau County is a rural county near the Canadian border and sees a lighter criminal caseload than larger metro courts. Searches in MCRO tend to return results quickly and without many duplicates. The court calendar posts each morning at 7:00 AM and is updated hourly as hearings are added or changed. The eReminder service through MCRO lets you sign up for automated alerts on upcoming hearings for cases you are tracking. Public access terminals at the Roseau courthouse are free to use during business hours.
Cases that ended without a conviction cannot be found by name in MCRO. You will need the case number for those records. Call Court Administration at (218) 463-2541 to locate a specific case number. Older records predating the July 2015 document window are available by contacting Court Administration directly.
Note: Non-conviction records require a case number to access on MCRO. Name searches will not return dismissed or acquitted cases. Court Administration in Roseau can help track down a case number.
Copies and Record Requests
Roseau County criminal court records are public documents. Since July 1, 2023, uncertified copies are free statewide. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Submit requests through the Minnesota Courts copy request portal, in person at the Roseau courthouse, or by mail to Court Administration at 606 5th Ave SW, Roseau, MN 56751.
Always include the defendant's full name and case number when you submit a request. Missing information slows processing and can delay your request by several days. In-person requests are typically handled the same day when staff are present. Mailed requests take additional time, and records that predate the July 2015 document availability window may need to be pulled from archives. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature and are required for legal proceedings and many government submissions. Uncertified copies work fine for personal research and background reviews.
The full court fee schedule, including any applicable filing fees, is posted at mncourts.gov. Sealed records and files under court order are not available through any access method.
Roseau County Sheriff and Resources
The Roseau County Sheriff's Office covers law enforcement throughout the county and operates the county jail. When the Sheriff's Office makes an arrest, the case goes to the County Attorney for review. The County Attorney decides whether to file formal charges with the District Court. Until charges are filed, a recent arrest will not appear in MCRO. For very recent arrests or current custody information, contact the Sheriff's Office directly rather than checking the court system.
The Roseau County government website has contact information for all county departments, including the Sheriff, County Attorney, and Court Administration. Roseau is a small city in one of the most northern counties in Minnesota. The Canadian border is just a short drive away. Because of the county's rural nature and small population, some residents travel to Thief River Falls in Pennington County when they need more extensive legal resources than are available locally in Roseau.
BCA Statewide Criminal History
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs a statewide criminal history database that covers Roseau County along with all other Minnesota counties. A BCA search costs $8 and returns felony and gross misdemeanor conviction data going back 15 years. Run a search through the BCA criminal history search portal on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Full legal name and date of birth are required for every search.
BCA data only includes convictions that courts and law enforcement agencies reported to the state. It does not show dismissed charges, acquittals, or cases that did not result in a conviction. MCRO provides the full court case record, including all of those outcomes. Running a BCA search alongside an MCRO search gives the most complete picture of someone's criminal background in Minnesota. Self-searches are available through the BCA portal for individuals who want to review their own record ahead of a job application, housing application, or professional licensing renewal.
Expungement of Roseau County Records
People with qualifying criminal records in Roseau County can petition to have those records sealed through expungement under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. Some records qualify for automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. Section 609A.015 without filing any petition at all. The record is sealed automatically for eligible cases. Check the automatic expungement rules first to see if action is needed before preparing paperwork.
If a petition is required, file it at the Roseau County District Court Administration office on 5th Ave SW. A filing fee applies unless you qualify for an income-based fee waiver. Waiting periods before you can petition vary by offense type. Cases that ended without a conviction may be eligible right away. Felony convictions require a longer waiting period, typically several years after the sentence is completed. When the court grants a petition, the record is sealed from public view in MCRO and in most state agency databases. Self-help forms and step-by-step filing instructions are available on the Minnesota Courts expungement page for those filing without an attorney.
Note: Expungement seals records in state and court systems. Private background check companies may hold separate data and need to be contacted individually for removal after expungement is granted.
Data Practices and Public Access
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13 governs which government records the public can access in Roseau County and across the state. Criminal court records are generally classified as public data. Anyone can view case information without providing a reason. Exceptions apply to sealed files, victim identifying information, juvenile records, and data restricted by a court order. Court staff in Roseau apply these rules consistently to every request they receive, whether in person, by mail, or through MCRO.
If a record is restricted, staff will tell you which exception applies and why the request cannot be fulfilled. Redacted versions of some documents may be available when only part of a file is protected. For broader questions about data practices rights in Minnesota, the Information Policy Analysis Division at the Minnesota Department of Administration provides guidance and handles disputes statewide. You can also contact Court Administration directly in Roseau for questions specific to the county's court records.
Nearby Counties
Roseau County borders Kittson, Lake of the Woods, and Beltrami counties in the far north of the 9th Judicial District.