Search Stevens County Criminal Court Records

Stevens County criminal court records are filed and maintained by the 8th Judicial District Court Administration in Morris. The court handles all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases in the county. Records go back over 150 years, with some historical documents from 1869-1873 held by the Clerk of District Court. The free Minnesota Court Records Online system covers modern case records, and the courthouse at 400 Colorado Avenue accepts in-person and mail requests on weekdays.

Stevens County District Court

The Stevens County District Court sits in Morris and is part of the 8th Judicial District. Court Administration handles all criminal case filings, docket scheduling, and public record requests. The office is open Monday through Friday. Local court contacts and department-specific information are available through the Stevens County court administration page.

The Stevens County court page on mncourts.gov lists current phone contacts, holiday closures, and links to the court calendar. Review the page before visiting Morris to confirm hours and check whether specific services are available on the day you plan to go. The Clerk of District Court in Morris also holds historical case records from the county's early years, dating from 1869 to 1873, for those researching older matters.

Searching for Records Online

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the primary tool for finding Stevens County criminal case records without visiting the courthouse. It is free, available 24 hours a day, and covers all 87 Minnesota counties in a single search interface. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include case type, charges filed, hearing schedule, and final disposition. Case documents from July 1, 2015 onward are downloadable at no charge.

The system can also be accessed through mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro, which explains how MCRO works and provides links to help resources. The court calendar posts at 7:00 AM each day and refreshes hourly, so you can check hearing schedules in real time without calling the court. Public access terminals at the Morris courthouse are available for free during business hours for those who prefer on-site searching.

Stevens County Sheriff

The Stevens County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in rural areas of the county and manages the county jail. When someone is arrested, the Sheriff's Office creates the arrest record. That document goes to the county attorney, who reviews it and decides whether to file formal charges with the District Court. Once charges are filed, the case becomes searchable in MCRO.

Recent arrests may not yet appear in MCRO if charges have not yet been filed. The time from arrest to formal charging can vary by several days. If you are looking for someone arrested very recently, contact the Sheriff's Office to check their jail status. The Stevens County government website lists all county departments if you need to reach the right office quickly.

Requesting Copies of Court Records

Stevens County criminal court records are public unless restricted by court order. Since July 1, 2023, uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Submit a request through the Minnesota Courts copy request portal, in person at the Morris courthouse, or by mail to Court Administration at 400 Colorado Avenue.

When submitting any request, include the defendant's full name and the case number if you have it. In-person requests are typically fulfilled the same day. Mail requests take longer, especially when older records need to be retrieved from storage. Sealed and restricted records are not releasable, and staff will inform you if a restriction applies without providing details about why the record is sealed.

BCA Criminal History Search

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide database of criminal convictions separate from the court system. A BCA search covers Stevens County and all other Minnesota counties, returning felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from the past 15 years. Each search costs $8. Access it through the BCA criminal history search portal with the subject's full legal name and date of birth.

BCA records reflect what law enforcement agencies reported to the state. They do not include charges that were dismissed or reduced, which do appear in MCRO. Running both a BCA search and an MCRO search gives the most accurate view of a person's record. Individuals can also use the BCA system to check their own criminal history record.

Expungement in Stevens County

People with qualifying criminal records in Stevens County can apply to have those records sealed under Minn. Stat. Chapter 609A. Minnesota's Clean Slate law at Minn. Stat. Section 609A.015 provides automatic sealing for certain low-level offenses without requiring a petition. That law has been in effect since 2023.

For offenses not covered automatically, a petition must be filed with the Stevens County District Court in Morris. Waiting periods range from one to five years based on the type of offense and how the case ended. Cases that did not result in a conviction may qualify sooner. Filing fees are required unless you qualify for a waiver based on income. The Minnesota Courts self-help pages provide the necessary forms and step-by-step instructions for filing without an attorney.

Sealed records are removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies may still access them in some situations. Private background check companies may retain old data and need to be contacted separately after expungement to update their databases.

Data Practices and Court Fees

Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13 governs public access to government records including court files. Most criminal court records are classified as public. Exceptions include sealed records, victim identifying information, and certain juvenile data. Court staff apply these rules uniformly regardless of the request method.

Court filing fees follow the statewide schedule at mncourts.gov. Defendants in criminal cases do not pay filing fees but may owe court-ordered fines, surcharges, and restitution. Fee waivers for civil filings are available based on income. Ask Court Administration in Morris for the waiver form.

The image below shows the Stevens County listing in the Minnesota Courts directory, which connects to the public case search and courthouse contact details.

Click the image to open the Stevens County court page on mncourts.gov, or go directly to MCRO to search criminal case records at no charge.

Nearby Counties

Stevens County is in far west-central Minnesota and shares borders with several counties, each with its own District Court and records office.