Hennepin County Arrest Records

Hennepin County arrest records are official documents law enforcement creates when they apprehend and book a person into custody. They enable law enforcement and the courts to manage cases and keep track of people's custody status. Members of the public are also granted access to certain arrest information to promote transparency in the justice system.

This includes case parties and others who may require information on these records to track case/custody status, inform certain security-related decisions, and initiate expungement proceedings (where eligible). Law enforcement agencies must maintain these records under MN Statutes § 15.17. The law also authorizes public access to these records, although there are restrictions on access to confidential and sealed records.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Minnesota?

Yes, under MN Statutes § 13.85 and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (codified in MN Statutes § 15.17). However, regulations may restrict access to records for arrests that did not lead to a conviction. Notwithstanding, public online databases, such as daily inmate rosters, may still indicate that such arrests were made, but typically omit full details.

Additionally, the law imposes restrictions on disseminating exempt or sealed information, i.e., arrest information considered by law to be sensitive. It may warrant unnecessary invasion of privacy, constitute an unprovoked threat to any individual, or jeopardize an ongoing investigation. A court order may sometimes restrict access to an arrest record. Generally, exempt arrest information includes:

• Information about juveniles
• Sealed or expunged records
• Non-conviction arrest records.

Hennepin County Arrest Search

At the state level, arrest records may be found during criminal background checks with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Another state-level alternative is the Minnesota Criminal History System (CHS). While the CHS does not retrieve arrest information, it can be used to see other related information, such as the offense, the offense date, the court where the arrestee was convicted, the sentence, the level of the offense (gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, etc.), and the incarceration facility.

Either of these resources typically requires the record subject's full name and date of birth. If a member of the public wishes to conduct a criminal background check on another person through the BCA, they must complete and submit an informed consent form, which must be signed by the record's subject. Record subjects can obtain their criminal record from the BCA by completing the personal request form and submitting a notarized copy alongside the applicable fee to the BCA in person or by US Postal Service.

Hennepin County Inmate Locator

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office maintains an online jail roster that members of the public can use to locate arrested individuals or inmates released from the county jail in the last 7 days. This resource is searchable by name. Searches return basic arrest details, including the arrestee's full name, booking number, age, date/time of arrest, custody status, and description of charges. Contact the sheriff's office for records not found on this website.

Active Warrant Search in Hennepin County

An arrest warrant is a writ issued by a judge, ordering the arrest of an individual who has committed a crime or failed to satisfy a court order. The sheriff's office is responsible for processing, recording, and executing warrants issued in the county. Online warrant searches are not provided, but inquiries can still be made over the phone by calling the district court at (612) 348-6000 and furnishing the attending staff with the search subject's full name and date of birth.

The caller may request the warrant number over the phone if a warrant exists. This number is required when calling the sheriff's office for guidance on how to resolve the warrant. The sheriff's office can be contacted at (612) 348-2000. Depending on the available options, a warrant's subject may turn themselves in or post cash bail/bond. For in-person warrant-related inquiries in Hennepin County, visit the warrants office at:

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Hennepin

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is mandated under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act to grant "data requests" for arrest records. While viewing is free, individuals must pay to obtain record copies. Requests can be submitted using the data request portal or by filling out and submitting the data request form by mail, email, or in person.

To obtain records about another person, a requester must complete the Consent for Release of Private Data form signed by the record subject and submit it alongside their data request form.

Hennepin County Arrest Report

A Hennepin County arrest report provides a detailed narration of the arrest incident. The arresting officer prepares it at the time of the arrest and usually covers details, such as why a person was stopped or searched prior to the arrest, the time of the arrest, probable cause that led to the arrest, witness statements, and an inventory of items found on the arrestee at the time of the arrest. Arrest records, on the other hand, are a summary of arrest incidents. They only serve as evidence that an arrest occurred, but do not detail the circumstances of the arrest.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Hennepin

Minnesota's "Second Chance" law allows people with criminal history records to remove certain information from their records if they meet the applicable eligibility requirements through a process called "expungement". Note that expungement does not destroy the affected records; it seals them from public access. After expungement, the records in question remain accessible by the court, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies.

Non-Conviction Records

If a person is arrested but not charged with a crime prior to their release from custody, or their case was dismissed before a criminal complaint was filed against them, they may erase the identifying parts of the records (except DNA samples collected) without going through the expungement route (MN Statutes § 299C.11). This is because there is usually no court record for such arrests. All they have to do is write a request to the law enforcement agency that made the arrest.

Other cases where this may apply are if the person was granted a pardon or the arrest was due to mistaken identity. In addition, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• The charges were dismissed before probable cause was determined.
• The record subject must not have been convicted of a felony or gross misdemeanor within 10 years prior to the arrest date.
• The arrestee did not participate in a diversion program due to the arrest.

Conviction Records

If the arrest resulted in a conviction or there are corresponding court case and criminal history records for the case, a full expungement procedure is required in accordance with MN Statutes § 609A.02. Note that only certain crimes may be sealed, including theft, forgery, card fraud, damage to property, and fifth-degree drug possession or sale. Also, record subjects must meet eligibility requirements, some of which are:

• Juveniles prosecuted as adults who have been discharged upon sentence completion or satisfactory completion of probation.
• The petitioner completed the terms of any stay of adjudication or diversion program, and they have not been charged with a new crime for at least one year after completion of the program.
• At least two years must have passed since the discharge of the sentence for a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor conviction, and no new convictions must have occurred during the waiting period.
• At least three years must have passed since the discharge of the sentence for a gross misdemeanor conviction, and no new convictions must have occurred during the waiting period.
• At least four years must have passed since the discharge of the sentence for a felony conviction under section 152.025, and no new convictions must have occurred during the waiting period.

Eligible persons should submit their petition alongside required supporting documents and the appropriate filing fee to the court or the attorney general's office. The filing fee is $300.00. If the expungement is successful, a copy of the expungement order issued by the court will be mailed to the address included in the petition. If the petition is denied, the petitioner shall also be notified of the reason for the petition, usually because the applicable waiting period has not elapsed or the crime is ineligible.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

This is a different process from expungement. Only law enforcement agencies are served copies of the expungement order if the court grants the expungement petition. As such, privately-operated websites may still have expunged records. The record subject is typically left with the option of identifying such websites and requesting removal.

This can be done using a form or email address displayed on the site, politely requesting that they remove the record. Convincing website administrators may require proof, so be prepared to provide documentation, such as the expungement order, upon request. Automated data removal services may also find and request record removals from sites.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following arrest information is public, unless the entire record is restricted from public access:

• The arrestee's full name
• The arrest charges
• The name of the arresting agency
• The date and time of the arrest
• The arrestee's sex and date of birth
• Detention status
• Date of release if discharged from custody
• Name of holding facility
• Court case number if charges were filed.