Minnesota Criminal Records

Are criminal records public in Minnesota?

As of August 1st, 2005, the statute of the state of Minnesota requires the Department of Public Safety to have public criminal records available online for any citizen who wants to look them up. The records are available at the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH), a part of the website of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

How do I find criminal records in Minnesota?

Criminal records can be found through third-party websites or government agencies. If any individual wants to look up any complete record, they must produce a BCA Informed Consent Form signed by the subject of the report. This report would be delivered via mail at the cost of fifteen dollars. If anyone wants to request their own complete record, they can get it delivered via mail for eight dollars. The CCH has a separate search engine for the records of crimes related to the manufacture or distribution of methamphetamine, which is available at https://mor.state.mn.us/MorOffenderSearch.aspx.

How far does a criminal background check go in Minnesota?

There is no seven-year law in Minnesota, meaning that employers are not prohibited from looking at any criminal records, no matter how much time has passed. There is a federal law that technically prohibits them; however, it is not heavily enforced on a federal level.

Can employers see your criminal record in Minnesota?

If a crime has not been expunged, then it will show up on background checks when applying for a job. Having a criminal history can severely inhibit your ability to get a job because it is an important factor to employers. If they inquire about it, the best thing you can do is be honest and explain what happened.

How do I get a crime expunged in Minnesota?

The process starts by filing a petition for expungement and sending it out to the local government agencies that were involved with the incident. Then there will be more paperwork with the court, and eventually, there will be a court hearing.

Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record in Minnesota?

Hiring a lawyer for this process can be a life-saver. Given how long and tedious the expungement process is in Minnesota, an attorney will take the workload and stress off of your hands. They will also give you a better chance of the expungement going through. Making a small mistake in the expungement process like missing a deadline can disqualify you for expungement.

How do I get my arrest record expunged in Minnesota?

Arrest records can be expunged by requesting in writing to the local police to erase the arrest record. This is not done through the court and can only be done if you have not been convicted of a misdemeanor or worse in 10 years. Sometimes, the arrest records will be automatically destroyed, and you may not have to go through this process.

What can you do after being convicted of a crime in Minnesota?

After being convicted of a crime in Minnesota, you can try and appeal the conviction. This will send the case to the next level of courts, who will review it and see any errors or judgments not in line with the law. They have the power to modify, reverse, or confirm the original court's ruling.

How long does expungement take in Minnesota?

Expungement can take up to a year in Minnesota. This is because of the paperwork that needs to be filled out and served and setting up a court date. If the court is especially busy, the court date may not be for months. The court is also required to consider the petition for a certain amount of days, which only adds to the time it takes.

How do I find an inmate in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has an offender locator tool that will show inmate records. These databases are accessible online. Inmate records typically contain the inmate's location, their remaining sentence, and probation or parole status. There will also be identifying information such as name, height, weight, race, etc.

How do I find sex offenders in Minnesota?

If anyone is looking for information on the sex offender registry, the US Department of Justice's National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) has a powerful search engine that allows the user to look up the sex offender registry database. The main problem with this search engine is that, to perform any kind of search, it requires the first name and last name of the alleged offender, which usually makes it really hard to perform the necessary research.

Can a sex offender get off the registry in Minnesota?

If someone is convicted of a sex crime in Minnesota, they are required to put their information on the sex offender registry for at least ten years. Depending on the level of the sex offense, registration could be for life. The levels of the sex offenders are based on the potential to re-offend. Failing to register will add another five years in registration.

What is considered a misdemeanor in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, a misdemeanor is a lower-level crime that cannot be punished by more than 90 days in jail and $1000 in fines. There are also gross misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors. Gross misdemeanors have an increased maximum fine of $3000, and petty misdemeanors are technically not crimes and result in a maximum of a $300 fine. Examples of misdemeanors are reckless driving, public intoxication, simple assault, and vandalism.

What is considered a felony in Minnesota?

Felonies are severe crimes in Minnesota that will have a minimum of a year in prison. Getting convicted of a felony will forfeit your right to own a firearm. Certain crimes that typically aren't felonies could be convicted as one if there are multiple re-offenses. Examples of felonies are murder, assault, terrorism, and domestic assault.

How can I find court records in Hennepin County?

The Minnesota Court Information System has a search tool to find court records statewide. Or, you could visit the Hennepin County Government Center and go to the Court Records Center there. The Court Records Center is on the B-Level. Finally, you could request a copy of a court record via mail through them.

Do arrests show up on background checks in Minnesota?

Whether or not an arrest shows up on a background check depends on the service that is used. Employers are not allowed to ask about arrests that didn't result in a conviction. If you are worried about an arrest showing up, make sure the arrest record is destroyed by requesting to do so to the police or sheriff.

Are arrest records public knowledge in Minnesota?

Arrest records are publicly available if the full name and date of birth of the person are known. Arrest records contain only part of the information that criminal records contain. They only show the arrest and supposed offense committed, but they don't validate whether or not the person was actually guilty of the crime.

Do juveniles have criminal records in Minnesota?

In general, people will not be able to see crimes committed as a juvenile. This is to protect children and teenagers who might've made a bad decision early in their life. Having a criminal record early on can severely impact the opportunities for jobs and getting loans. The juvenile record is retained by the Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension until the person reaches the age of 28.