Cass County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Cass County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Cass County, Minnesota, may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as CassCountyRecords.us. Criminal records maintained by Cass County agencies may include arrest logs, booking records, court case filings, charge dispositions, sentencing information, and warrant data. The availability of specific records depends on the nature of the case, the stage of proceedings, and applicable state law governing public access.
Records accessible through official channels may reflect the following categories:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and recalled warrants
- Jail inmate rosters
- Sex offender registration data
- Protective orders and restraining orders
Members of the public may search criminal records through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.
1. County Court Records
The Ninth Judicial District Court serves Cass County and maintains all criminal case filings, dispositions, and related court documents.
Cass County District Court
300 Minnesota Ave
Walker, MN 56484
Phone: (218) 547-7200
Minnesota Judicial Branch – Ninth District
Members of the public may appear in person at the courthouse during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to inspect court records. Requestors should provide the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and case number if known. Government-issued photo identification may be required for certain record types. Public access computer terminals are available at the courthouse and provide the most complete access to electronic district court case records, as noted by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, jail rosters, and investigative files through its Records Division.
Cass County Sheriff's Office
303 Minnesota Ave W
Walker, MN 56484
Phone: (218) 547-1424
Sheriff's Office – Cass County
The Records Division maintains all initial, investigative, and criminal files for the Sheriff's Office. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees apply for copies of records. The Sheriff's Office also serves all writs, warrants, commitment papers, and court orders, and maintains the County Jail.
3. Online Court Search
The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal, which allows members of the public to search district court case records statewide, including those originating in Cass County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The Minnesota Judicial Branch does not certify MCRO records or search results, and the portal reflects available electronic data, which may not include all historical records.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the statewide criminal history repository and processes formal background check requests.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Minnesota BCA – Criminal History
Formal background checks through the BCA require submission of a completed request form, applicable fees, and in some cases fingerprint cards. Processing times vary based on request volume and submission method.
5. Written and Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Cass County District Court Administrator or the Sheriff's Office Records Division at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Cass County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Cass County is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing records created and maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities. Under Minnesota law, criminal records are defined and governed primarily by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. § 13.82, which classifies law enforcement data and specifies what information is public, private, or confidential.
Criminal records are distinct in nature and scope:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Minnesota law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses. Both categories are maintained in the court system and the state repository.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access provisions under state law. Juvenile records are treated as confidential under Minn. Stat. § 260B.171 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrant data reflects current outstanding orders for arrest. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Cass County include the County Sheriff's Office (arrest records, jail records, and investigative files), the Ninth Judicial District Court (court records, case files, and dispositions), the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments within the county. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of court proceedings, and finalized upon sentencing or case dismissal. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Cass County
Criminal records in Cass County are subject to public access under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minn. Stat. § 13.82. The MGDPA establishes that certain law enforcement data, including arrest data, criminal charges, and court dispositions involving adults, are public government data accessible to any member of the public upon request.
The Minnesota Department of Administration has stated that "all government data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity is public unless classified by statute, federal law, or temporary classification as nonpublic or protected nonpublic data." This principle governs the presumption of openness that applies to adult criminal records in Cass County.
The following categories of information are public under current Minnesota law:
- Adult arrest data, including name, date of birth, charges, and booking information
- Court case filings, hearing dates, and case dispositions
- Conviction records, including sentencing details
- Active warrant information
The following categories are restricted or confidential:
- Juvenile records (confidential under Minn. Stat. § 260B.171)
- Sealed or expunged records
- Ongoing criminal investigation data classified as confidential
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Expunged records are removed from public access pursuant to a court order and are no longer accessible through standard public channels, though they may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not governed by Minnesota's MGDPA.
How To Find Criminal Records in Cass County Online
Official County Resources
The Sheriff's Office Records page provides direct links to the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search and the Minnesota Judicial Branch case records system. Members of the public may use these portals to search for criminal history data and court case information without visiting a physical office. No registration is required to conduct a basic name search through the court's online system.
State-Level Resources
The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal for statewide case searches. The Minnesota State Law Library also provides guidance on locating court records, noting that "the public can also access court documents from public access computer terminals at any Minnesota district (county) courthouse." The BCA's public criminal history search tool is accessible through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website and allows name-based searches of the statewide repository.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference results across multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Be aware that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court proceeding. Historical records predating electronic case management systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online search results do not constitute official certified records and are not suitable substitutes for formal background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Cass County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Minnesota law mandates that members of the public may inspect public government data free of charge. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, subd. 3, government entities must allow inspection of public data at no cost. Copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. In-person inspection is available at the Cass County District Court and the Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The following portals provide free public access to criminal record data:
| Resource | Access Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) | Free name/case search | MCRO Portal |
| Courthouse Public Terminals | Free in-person access | Access Case Records |
| Sheriff's Office Records Links | Free portal access | Sheriff's Records |
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Cass County Sheriff's Office as public law enforcement data under Minn. Stat. § 13.82.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the court administrator
- Official BCA background checks: fee required per request
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard inspection
- Electronic copies provided on physical media
- Expedited processing requests
State Fee Law
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, subd. 3, fees for copies of public data may not exceed the actual cost of searching and retrieving the data. Fee waivers or reduced fees may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the government entity.
What's Included in a Cass County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Cass County criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number if applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date if applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of probation), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
A complete criminal record may also reflect active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, traffic violations prosecuted as criminal offenses, and pending charges not yet resolved.
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (confidential under state law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Records from completed diversion programs that resulted in dismissal
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or the BCA. Individuals have the right under the MGDPA to challenge the accuracy and completeness of data maintained about them by government entities.
How Long Does Cass County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Minnesota's records retention schedules, established by the Minnesota Historical Society and applicable state statutes, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The Minnesota Judicial Branch and county law enforcement agencies are bound by these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent (court records) |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies by agency; subject to expungement |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; destruction timelines governed by Minn. Stat. § 260B.171 |
| Pending cases | Retained until case resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain case records permanently pursuant to Minnesota Judicial Branch retention rules. The Sheriff's Office and jail retain booking and arrest records according to county retention schedules, which may differ from court retention periods. The BCA retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods and are not subject to the same physical storage constraints as paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, but the electronic version remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, governed by Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, is a legal process by which a court orders the sealing of criminal records from public access. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since the proceedings. Even if county agencies seal physical records following an expungement order, electronic copies may continue to exist in state databases for law enforcement purposes.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI under the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from Minnesota state requirements.
Practical Implications
Conviction records may appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing purposes. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain positions, though no such limitation applies to positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record.