Washington County Criminal Court Records
Washington County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the District Court in Stillwater, the county seat east of St. Paul along the St. Croix River. The court is part of Minnesota's 10th Judicial District and handles all felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases arising in the county. You can search for cases online at no cost through the Minnesota Court Records Online system, visit the Stillwater courthouse in person, or submit a written request for copies. The Washington County Sheriff also maintains an inmate roster that is updated regularly.
Washington County Overview
Washington County District Court
The Washington County District Court is in Stillwater. Court Administrator Deb Lepper oversees administrative operations. The court processes all criminal cases filed in the county, including first appearances, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing. The courthouse offers public access terminals where anyone can search case records using the MCRO system. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours.
| Court | Washington County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Phone | (651) 413-8030 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 10th Judicial District |
The Washington County Jail is at 15015 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082, close to the courthouse. Reach the jail at (651) 430-7900 for questions about current inmates. The Sheriff's Office main page is at co.washington.mn.us/departments/sheriff.
Online Case Search Through MCRO
The Minnesota Court Records Online system provides free public access to Washington County criminal case records. No account or login is required. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us, pick Washington County, and search by name, case number, or hearing date. You can also start from mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro for a guide to using the system. Results show charges, case status, hearing schedules, and dispositions. Documents from cases filed on or after July 1, 2015, can be viewed and downloaded in PDF format at no cost.
The court calendar posts at 7:00 AM daily and updates every hour. Washington County is a large suburban county east of St. Paul with a busy criminal docket. Searches typically return results quickly. The county also posts a weekly PDF court calendar for anyone who wants to review scheduled matters in advance. Public access terminals at the Stillwater courthouse let you conduct MCRO searches on site at no charge.
Note: Juvenile case records and cases sealed by court order are not accessible through the public MCRO search. These records are restricted by Minnesota law.
Washington County District Court Online
The Washington County District Court page on mncourts.gov provides court address, phone numbers, links to the MCRO case search, and court calendar access.
That page also links to the 10th Judicial District directory covering all eight counties in the district, and provides direct access to the MCRO case search portal.
Washington County Sheriff and Inmate Roster
The Washington County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across the county and operates the jail at 15015 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082. The Sheriff's website at co.washington.mn.us/departments/sheriff has department contact information and public resources. An inmate roster PDF is updated regularly and shows current inmates with booking information. Note that the inmate roster at web1.co.washington.mn.us/WCInmateRoster/InmateRosterReport.pdf downloads directly as a PDF file.
Arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and are separate from court records held by the District Court. An arrest record does not mean charges were filed or that a conviction resulted. To confirm whether a case went through the court system, search MCRO or contact the Court Administrator. The court and the sheriff keep different records covering different parts of the criminal justice process.
Getting Copies of Court Documents
To get copies of Washington County criminal court records, the easiest route is MCRO for documents from cases filed after July 1, 2015. Those are free to download. For certified copies or older records, contact the Court Administrator's office at the Stillwater courthouse.
Certified copies cost $14 per document as of July 1, 2023. Uncertified copies obtained at the courthouse are free. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the online copy request form at mncourts.gov/help-topics/copy-request. When requesting by mail, include the case number, defendant's full name, and a description of the documents you need. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps ensure return delivery. The court processes requests in the order received. Current court fee schedules are at mncourts.gov/help-topics/court-fees/district-court-fees.
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide criminal history database that covers all counties, including Washington. A BCA search costs $8 and requires the person's full legal name and date of birth. Results show conviction records up to 15 years back and are returned online. Access the BCA search at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/criminal-history-search.aspx.
BCA results show convictions only. They do not include arrests without conviction, dismissed charges, or acquittals. If you want a full picture of a person's criminal case history in Washington County, use MCRO or request records directly from the court. The BCA is a useful starting point for a statewide check, but MCRO gives more detail on individual cases including all charges filed and their outcomes. Use both tools when you need the most complete information.
Expungement in Washington County
Minnesota law offers two expungement paths. Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 applies to petty misdemeanors and certain cases resolved without conviction. This happens without filing a court petition. For other offenses, you must petition the court under Chapter 609A and attend a hearing before a district court judge. Waiting periods range from one to five years depending on the type of offense.
To petition for expungement of a Washington County criminal record, file at the Washington County District Court in Stillwater. The full guide is at mncourts.gov/help-topics/criminal-expungement. It explains forms, eligibility criteria, and the hearing process. Legal aid organizations serving Washington County can help if you cannot afford an attorney. Court self-help materials are also available at the courthouse for those who want to handle the process on their own.
Data Practices and Public Access
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. Chapter 13, available at revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/13/, governs how public agencies handle data requests. Criminal court records in Washington County are generally public data accessible to anyone. If you are denied access to a record, you can ask the court to cite the specific law restricting it.
Hearing eReminders are available for Washington County cases through the MCRO system, letting you receive notifications about upcoming court dates for cases you are tracking. This feature is useful for parties and others who need to stay current on case schedules. Public access terminals at the Stillwater courthouse are free to use and connect directly to MCRO. The 10th Judicial District directory at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/District/10.aspx is a good reference for court contacts across all district counties.
Cities in Washington County
Woodbury is one of Washington County's largest cities. Criminal cases from Woodbury are filed with the Washington County District Court in Stillwater.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several counties in the Twin Cities metro and eastern Minnesota. Each has its own district court and case search tools through MCRO.