Blue Earth County Criminal Records
What Is Blue Earth County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Blue Earth County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which governs comprehensive law enforcement data.
Criminal records in Blue Earth County include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentencing decisions
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in the Blue Earth County Jail or state correctional facilities
- Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervision terms and compliance for individuals released under court-ordered supervision
Important distinctions exist between various types of criminal records:
- Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody, while conviction records confirm guilt was established through court proceedings
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors carry lesser penalties
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Adult records (18+) are generally public, while juvenile records are typically sealed under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
- Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current enforcement actions, while historical records document past proceedings
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Blue Earth County:
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office
410 S 5th Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-304-4800
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office
Blue Earth County District Court
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56001
507-304-4650
Minnesota Judicial Branch - Fifth Judicial District
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
651-793-7000
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Are Criminal Records Public In Blue Earth County
Criminal records in Blue Earth County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, which establishes the presumption that government data is public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement data is presumptively public, including:
"...data created or collected by law enforcement agencies which documents any actions taken by them to cite, arrest, incarcerate or otherwise substantially deprive an adult individual of liberty shall be public at all times in the originating agency."
However, important exceptions and limitations apply to public access:
- Active Investigations: Information related to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily classified as confidential or protected nonpublic data
- Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to individuals under 18 years of age are generally confidential pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
- Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible to the public
- Victim Information: Certain data regarding victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence, may be protected
- Confidential Informants: Information that could identify confidential informants is protected
Court records in Blue Earth County are presumptively public under the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, though certain case types and documents may be restricted.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office maintains public criminal records including arrest logs, jail rosters, and incident reports, while the Blue Earth County District Court maintains public access to case files, hearing schedules, and court proceedings.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Blue Earth County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Blue Earth County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides both in-person and online options for record retrieval.
For in-person requests at the Sheriff's Office:
- Visit the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Records Division during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form, providing specific information about the record being sought
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $0.25 per page for standard copies)
- Allow processing time, which varies based on request complexity
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office Records Division
410 S 5th Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-304-4800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sheriff's Office Records
For court records requests:
- Visit the Blue Earth County Justice Center during regular business hours
- Request assistance from court administration staff to locate specific case files
- Provide case numbers when available to expedite searches
- Pay applicable fees for copies of court documents
- For certified copies, additional fees apply
Blue Earth County District Court
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56001
507-304-4650
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Minnesota Judicial Branch - Fifth Judicial District
For written requests by mail:
- Submit a detailed written request including specific information about the records sought
- Include contact information and preferred delivery method
- Enclose payment for applicable fees (contact the records division for current fee schedule)
- Allow additional processing time for mailed requests
Requests must comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, which requires agencies to respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 10 business days.
How To Find Criminal Records in Blue Earth County Online?
Blue Earth County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests.
The Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody at the county jail. This resource:
- Updates automatically throughout the day
- Includes booking information, charges, and custody status
- Displays individuals recently released (within the past 72 hours)
- Requires no registration or fees to access
The Adult Criminal Complaints Viewer offers access to criminal complaints filed in Blue Earth County:
- Contains records for the previous two years
- Provides PDF copies of actual complaint documents
- Includes defendant information, charges, and case details
- Requires no registration but may have usage limitations
For comprehensive court case information, the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides:
- Case search capabilities by name, case number, or citation number
- Access to civil, criminal, family, and probate case records
- Document viewing for publicly accessible court filings
- Registration requirements for certain features
- Nominal fees for document downloads
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offers the Public Criminal History Search:
- Statewide conviction records search capabilities
- $8.00 fee per name search
- Requires subject's full name and date of birth
- Returns only conviction data, not arrests without convictions
- Provides official, verified criminal history information
Additional online resources include:
- Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office Records - Information about available records and request procedures
- Minnesota Public Access Court Records (PA-CIS) - Limited case information without document access
- Minnesota Predatory Offender Search - Information about registered predatory offenders
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete historical records, and certain case types or documents may be accessible only through in-person requests.
Can You Search Blue Earth County Criminal Records for Free?
Blue Earth County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without charge, in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This statute establishes that government entities may charge only for copies of public records, not for inspection.
Free inspection options include:
- In-Person Record Review: Individuals may examine public criminal records at no cost during regular business hours at the following locations:
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office Records Division
410 S 5th Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-304-4800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sheriff's Office Records
Blue Earth County District Court
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56001
507-304-4650
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Minnesota Judicial Branch - Fifth Judicial District
Free online resources include:
- Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster - Provides current inmate information at no cost
- Adult Criminal Complaints Viewer - Offers free access to criminal complaints for the past two years
- Minnesota Public Access Court Records (PA-CIS) - Provides basic case information without charge
While inspection is free, fees apply for:
- Copies of records (typically $0.25 per page)
- Certified copies of court documents
- Background checks through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
- Document downloads through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
- Staff research time for complex or extensive requests
According to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 3, agencies may charge "the actual costs of searching for and retrieving government data, including the cost of employee time, and for making copies" when requests involve significant staff time or resources.
What's Included in a Blue Earth County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Blue Earth County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Driver's license number
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest (may differ from formal charges)
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case status
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations and offense classification (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to the case
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Final verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Probation/parole status reports
Criminal records in Blue Earth County are maintained in compliance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 regarding law enforcement data and Minnesota Statutes § 609A concerning expungement.
How Long Does Blue Earth County Keep Criminal Records?
Blue Earth County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by Minnesota state law and administrative policies. These retention periods vary based on record type, offense severity, and maintaining agency.
The Minnesota Records Retention Schedule provides the framework for county record retention, with specific timeframes including:
Sheriff's Office Records:
- Arrest reports: Minimum 10 years from date of arrest
- Investigation files for solved major crimes: 25 years from case closure
- Investigation files for unsolved major crimes: Permanent retention
- Jail booking and release information: 10 years from release date
- Incident reports: 7 years from incident date
- Warrants: Until executed or recalled, plus 3 years
Court Records:
- Felony case files: 50 years from case disposition
- Gross misdemeanor case files: 10 years from case disposition
- Misdemeanor case files: 3-10 years from case disposition, depending on offense type
- Traffic violations: 3 years from case disposition
- Juvenile records: Until subject reaches age 19 (longer for certain serious offenses)
- Expunged records: Sealed according to court order terms
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 138.17, government entities must maintain records for prescribed periods before destruction. Records with historical significance may be transferred to the Minnesota State Archives rather than destroyed.
Digital records in county systems may have different retention periods than physical records. For example:
- The Adult Criminal Complaints Viewer maintains records for only the previous 2 years
- The Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster displays only current inmates and those released within the past 72 hours
Criminal history data maintained by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is generally permanent unless expunged by court order under Minnesota Statutes § 609A.
Lookup Criminal Records in Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County Jail Custody Roster