Criminal records in Dakota County, Minnesota, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DakotaCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Dakota County. Additional access points include the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, the Dakota County District Court, and the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, each offering different levels of detail depending on the type of search.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dakota County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Dakota County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- DakotaCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to Dakota County criminal cases.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — The statewide portal maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Select "Dakota" from the county list to search district court records by party name or case number. You will need at least a first and last name, or a court file number.
- Dakota County Criminal Complaint Search — Dakota County posts criminal complaints online for a period of 12 months. Complaints involving criminal sexual conduct or child pornography charges are excluded.
- Dakota County Jail Inmate Search — Shows only individuals currently in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
- Minnesota Department of Corrections — Search for individuals under state correctional supervision or listed as fugitives.
In Person
Visit the Dakota County District Court to use public access terminals (MPA Courthouse terminals) that may display records and documents not fully available through the online MCRO portal. The Minnesota State Law Library also has public access terminals.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Court Administrator at the Dakota County Courthouse. Include the full name of the party, date of birth if known, and the case number if available.
- State criminal history: Request a formal criminal history check through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA maintains the state's criminal history repository and processes background checks for individuals and authorized agencies.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name (first and last) of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- County where the case was filed
Search Dakota County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Minnesota district court case numbers follow a standardized format:
Example: 19-CR-20-12345
- 19 — The county code. Dakota County is county 19 in the Minnesota court system.
- CR — The case type. "CR" stands for criminal. Other common codes include "TR" (traffic) and "JV" (juvenile).
- 20 — The two-digit year the case was filed (2020 in this example).
- 12345 — The sequential case number assigned by the court.
If you have a case number, enter it on the MCRO case number search tab. This is the fastest way to pull up a specific case. The case type code tells you immediately whether the matter is criminal, traffic, civil, or another category.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dakota County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Minnesota statute section cited in the complaint (e.g., Minn. Stat. § 609.52 for theft) |
| Severity | Felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecutor before or during proceedings — the amended charge replaces or modifies the original |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active: Proceedings are underway
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All obligations have been satisfied and the case is administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment / First Appearance: The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing: For felony cases — the court determines whether probable cause exists
- Pre-Trial / Omnibus Hearing: Motions, evidence disputes, and plea negotiations are addressed
- Trial: Bench or jury trial where the case is heard on its merits
- Sentencing: The court imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing: Post-sentencing check on compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty: Defendant convicted by plea or trial
- Not Guilty: Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor
- Continued for Dismissal / Stay of Adjudication: Defendant completes conditions and charges may be dismissed
- Acquitted: Found not guilty after trial
Certain records may be sealed or restricted under the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Expunged records are generally not visible through public search tools. More information on the process is available on the Minnesota Judicial Branch expungement page.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dakota County
From the Court
Certified copies of court records are issued by the Court Administrator's office at the Dakota County District Court. You can request them in person or by mail.
- Visit or write to the Court Administrator at the Dakota County Courthouse.
- Provide the case number, party name, and specify which documents you need certified.
- Pay the required certification and copy fees.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
From the State Repository
For a comprehensive criminal history report, submit a request to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA processes public and private criminal history checks. Requests can be submitted online through the BCA's website or by mail. A government-issued ID and fingerprints may be required for certain types of checks.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dakota County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document | $0.25 per page | Standard per-page rate set by Minnesota court rules |
| Certified copy of court document | $14.00 | Per document, per Minnesota Judicial Branch fee schedule |
| BCA Public Criminal History Check | $15.00 | Online submission through the BCA portal |
| BCA Fingerprint-Based Background Check | Varies | Fee depends on the type of check and whether FBI results are included |
Processing Times
- In-person court copies: Typically available the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests to the court: Generally processed within 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- BCA online public history check: Usually returned within minutes for online requests
- BCA fingerprint-based checks: May take several weeks depending on processing demand
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Dakota County District Court or the BCA before submitting your request.