Steele County Criminal Records

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Use the official court, custody, police-record, and statewide paths for Steele County, North Dakota; jurisdiction limits are explained.

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Steele County public records: common questions

Where to search Steele County records

Steele County, North Dakota court, custody, police, and statewide records are kept in separate systems. Start court research with County district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District.

Court casesCounty district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District
Current custodyConfirm the current jail or detention source with the local agency.
Statewide recordsUse the North Dakota state-level source described below when available.
Federal recordsFederal court and custody records are outside county systems and require a separate federal search.

Verified local details

These details were drawn from the official sources linked in this guide. Reconfirm addresses, contacts, schedules, fees, and other time-sensitive details with the responsible agency.

Steele County’s official information page states that Finley has been the county seat since 1919.
The sheriff’s office is listed at 201 Washington Avenue West, second floor, in Finley, with telephone number 701-524-2742.
The county identifies Wayne Beckman as sheriff and states that county sheriffs are elected every four years.
The clerk/recorder page states that the office maintains court records and records real-estate instruments, liens, mortgages, deeds, and related documents.

Steele County official record-source actions
Record type	Agency or source	Scope	Action	Last checked
Court cases	County district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District	County or local	Open source	August 19, 2026
Police and incident records	County sheriff and coroner information	County or local	Open source	August 20, 2026
Official records	County government directory, courthouse hours, and public services	County or local	Open source	August 19, 2026
Official records	County clerk/recorder functions and court-record information	County or local	Open source	August 18, 2026

How this guide is maintained: This matrix only republishes government and agency destinations supported by the researched guide or its reviewed county source registry. Page updated August 24, 2026. Agency sites and coverage can change, so confirm current rules with the source. Read our county source-review and correction policy.

This Steele County records guide is organized around the way the information is actually maintained. Begin with the Q&A for the record you need, then use the source map below to confirm a case, custody status, incident report, or statewide search. Steele County has 1,797 residents (2025 estimate). The source map below identifies the relevant local courts and agencies. Offices and online systems change, so confirm details with the agency before relying on a record.

Quick facts

County-equivalent identity: 38-091
Population: 1,797 residents (2025 estimate)
Local detail: Steele County’s official information page states that Finley has been the county seat since 1919.
Local detail: The sheriff’s office is listed at 201 Washington Avenue West, second floor, in Finley, with telephone number 701-524-2742.
Local detail: The county identifies Wayne Beckman as sheriff and states that county sheriffs are elected every four years.
Local detail: The clerk/recorder page states that the office maintains court records and records real-estate instruments, liens, mortgages, deeds, and related documents.

What is specific about this local guide

Local detail: Steele County’s official information page states that Finley has been the county seat since 1919.
Local detail: The sheriff’s office is listed at 201 Washington Avenue West, second floor, in Finley, with telephone number 701-524-2742.
Local detail: The county identifies Wayne Beckman as sheriff and states that county sheriffs are elected every four years.

How do I contact the Steele County Sheriff?

The approved official source set for Steele County does not document record-type-specific police request instructions. Use County sheriff and coroner information to request the report from the agency that created or maintains it.

Where is Steele County district court located?

Steele County is in the East Central Judicial District; district-court and clerk/recorder services are listed at the Finley courthouse. Open County district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District for the court's current case-search and document-access instructions.

Which judicial district handles Steele County cases?

Steele County is in the East Central Judicial District; district-court and clerk/recorder services are listed at the Finley courthouse. Check County district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District to confirm the filing court, venue, and case type before relying on a search.

How do I request Steele County court or land records?

Current approved sources for Steele County do not substantiate a case-specific court search or document-request procedure. Open County clerk/recorder functions and court-record information for the court's current case-search and document-access instructions.

Does Steele County publish inmate information?

No reviewed official source for Steele County establishes complete visitation, release, booking, and medical-record procedures. Ask the county detention agency for its current rules before visiting, sending records, or arranging release.

Which agency handles police and municipal-court matters in Finley or Hope?

No reviewed official source for Steele County establishes a definitive court assignment for every case type. Check County district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District to confirm the filing court, venue, and case type before relying on a search.

Police, sheriff, and incident records

For police or incident records, use County sheriff and coroner information. Real-estate and court-record availability, exemptions, and fees may vary by record type and should be confirmed with the clerk/recorder.

Criminal cases in Steele County

Start with County district-court location, officials, hours, and East Central Judicial District for the official Steele County court path. County: Steele County government offices are centered at 201 Washington Avenue West, Finley. Court: Steele County is in the East Central Judicial District; district-court and clerk/recorder services are listed at the Finley courthouse.

Jail and custody information for Steele County

The current county jail or detention path still requires local confirmation. The sheriff and county pages do not provide a current jail roster or detailed booking procedure.

Municipal and local court records

Municipal and local court coverage is separate from the county trial-court path. Custody: The sheriff’s office is the county law-enforcement contact; the cited sources do not identify a jail roster or detention facility. Municipal: The cited county sources do not define municipal police or municipal-court boundaries for Finley or Hope.

Cities covered by local record systems

The relevant local courts and agencies may serve different incorporated municipalities, so confirm the filing locality before relying on a record.

Official Steele County and North Dakota record sources

For an official starting point, use County government directory, courthouse hours, and public services. Confirm current access rules, fees, contacts, and jurisdiction with the responsible agency.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results are for personal knowledge only and may not be used for employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. An arrest or booking record is not proof of guilt. This page is general information, not legal advice; for advice about a specific situation, consult an attorney.

Prefer an official source? For an official starting point, use County government directory, courthouse hours, and public services. Confirm current access rules, fees, contacts, and jurisdiction with the responsible agency.

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