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  1. Washington County Court
  2. Washington County Arrest Records

Washington County, Minnesota Arrest Records

Washington County arrest records refer to official entries that law enforcement agencies create when individuals are taken into custody. These records are entered into the law enforcement database at the booking point, which is usually at the arresting agency or the Washington County Jail. arrest records generally contain details that help identify detainees and stay updated on their detention status. They are usually created and maintained by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, which also manages the county jail. Washington County arrest records contain details like the names of the detainee, custody status, bail or bond details, basic description of the detainee, alleged offenses, and booking date or photograph. These details are useful for background checks by employers and landlords.

Arrest records can also be maintained by municipal law enforcement agencies such as the Woodbury Police Department and the Cottage Grove Police Department, which serve the largest and second-largest cities in the county. These agencies also execute arrests before transferring detainees to the county jail, where they are held. While county and municipal authorities maintain records restricted to arrest information, complete criminal records can be obtained through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. However, complete criminal records are restricted due to sensitive details, while arrest records can be accessed on public archives.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Washington, Minnesota?

Yes, Washington County arrest records are considered publicly accessible records according to the Minnesota Public Records Law (Minn. Stat. § 13.82). This law provides guidelines for what records are publicly accessible and restricted, as well as who can access them and how they can be obtained. Members of the public can access arrest records in this county using public records requests addressed to the Sheriff's Office. This request can be made orally in person or by phone at the sheriff's office. According to Minn. Stat. § 13.03, anyone can access arrest records in Washington County without being a resident or providing a reason for the request. Inspection of Washington County arrest records is also free, while fees are applied for copies of documents made. While providing a government-issued ID is not compulsory, it may be required for identity verification, jail visitation, or the collection of copies in person.

What Do Public Washington County Arrest Records Contain?

Washington County arrest records contain details about individual detention and arrests within the county. These are details about the detainee and the situation of the arrests that meet the guidelines of the Minnesota Public Records Law. This means there are arrest records available to the public, and arrest records restricted from public access. Some of the publicly accessible details in Washington County arrest records include:

  • The date, time, and location of the arrest
  • Name of detainees
  • Specific charges and relevant legal authorities
  • Bail or bond information
  • The detainee's age, sex, and last known address
  • The arresting agency and holding facility

According to the access guidelines, there are also sensitive details that are restricted or sealed. They are not available to the public for privacy precautions and to protect public order in some cases. Some of these restrictions include active criminal investigation data, identities of protected individuals, such as sexual assault or child abuse victims, juvenile records, and records that are sealed or expunged according to Minn. Stat. § 299C.11 or Chapter 609A.

Washington County, Minnesota Arrest Search

Washington County arrest records can be searched using tools and resources made available by the state agencies. Members of the public can conduct searches in person, over the phone, or using the online platforms of criminal justice agencies.

Basic and simple search inquiries can be made over the phone or in person at the relevant agency's address. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension manages the state's Public Criminal History Search, which is a free search platform for criminal records. This platform uses name and date of birth search options to find arrest records in the BCA's statewide archive. This platform only provides access to conviction records under which requesters can access arrest details.

The courts also provide access to arrest records through criminal case documents. The Minnesota Court Records Online is an online platform that provides statewide access to criminal case records. Members of the public can access arrest information through the arraignment documents of criminal cases. The website provides search options like name and case number. Federal arrest records are also accessible through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Identity History Summary Check. This platform can be used to submit search requests for records of arrests executed within Washington County for federal offenses. Federal arrest searches require fingerprint submissions, unlike name and case-based searches.

Washington County Inmate Locator

Washington County inmates are held at the Washington County Jail, which is managed by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office has a Jail Division, which publishes a Daily Jail Booking Report with an inmate roster as PDFs. This website is updated and refreshed regularly through its Law Enforcement Public Data page. These reports are not available for download but only for online viewing. Members of the public can also approach the sheriff's office in person to submit a written request or make oral requests for basic arrest information. Requesters can also use phone inquiries for basic details by calling the sheriff's office at 651-430-7600 or the jail division at 651-430-7900. The sheriff's office can be found at:

Washington County Sheriff's Office

15015 62nd Street North

Stillwater, Minnesota 55082

651-430-7600 - Main office

651-430-7900 - Jail Division

651-439-9381 - Non-emergency dispatch

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Washington County

Members of the public can find arrest records for free online, over the phone, or in person at the sheriff's office. The jail division will not charge for basic or simple inquiries made at the sheriff's office or over the phone. Requesters can also use the Daily Jail Booking Report website to access free arrest records in Washington County. This website provides access to updated arrest reports and roster PDFs, which can be viewed for free.

However, free access to records does not provide access beyond the basic facts of the arrests. This means that sealed or expunged records will not be available through free outlets. Members of the public may also be restricted to current and recent arrest records through free platforms. Usually, when an individual is out of custody, the record is dropped from the roster, which makes accessing it not as simple as checking the inmate roster.

Washington County Arrest Report

An arrest report can be used interchangeable tiwh an arrest record, but these are different documents according to Minnesota law. An arrest record is the short and structured entry that describes the detainee and arrest situation, which confirms that an arrest occured according to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 2. The records are administrative entries that help track the detainee throughout their detention period. An arrest report is a narrative document written by the arresting officer after the arrest occured. This document describes what led to the arrest, what was observed during the arrest, what happened at the scene, and the evidence gathered. The arrest report can include some material that becomes public only after the case becomes inactive, according to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 7. Thus, arrest reports are not public immediately; the record is made public, especially if the case is still active. Arrest records and reports also have different modes of accessing them, as records can be obtained orally, while an arrest report usually requires a formal request.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Washington County

Expungement of records is available in Washington County in the form of sealing the records and restricting them from public access. The process of sealing in Washington County, according to Chapter 609A, lets a court seal criminal records, which makes them unavailable to the public or on any public platforms.

However, the records will remain available through a court order or for specific statutory reasons. There are three main paths to expungement of Washington County arrest records. They are:

  • Automatic sealing according to the Clean Slate Act. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension can now identify eligible records for sealing in its Criminal History System and can seal them without requiring the individual to file a request. The sealing is done after a 60-day court review period.
  • Petition-based expungement according to Chapter 609A. Arrest records that do not qualify for automatic expungement will require the detainee to file an expungement petition at a Washington County District Court. A judge will weigh the factors of the case, such as the offense, the time that has passed since the arrest or conviction, and public safety, before making a decision.
  • Arrest only sealing according to Minn. Stat. § 299C.11. When an individual is arrested without a charge, or the case was dismissed before the determination of probable cause, they can request in writing that the BCA and arresting agency seal their arrest records without going to court. Such an individual must have no gross misdemeanor or felony conviction in the past 10 years to be eligible for the process.

The relevant path for you depends on the facts of your case or arrest. The Minnesota Judicial Branch's Criminal Expungement website has help topics and available Self-Help Centers where you can get more information and resources for your petition.

How Do You Remove Washington County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Removal of arrest records from the internet in Washington County is possible through the expungement process. You must first obtain an expungement order from the court, which will be the required authority for removing your record from any platform. After the court grants the order, government-owned platforms usually comply automatically, and agencies that delay can be served with a certified copy for prompt action.

Third-party websites do not get the same prompt notice, which makes them default on the removal of records. However, you can make formal applications to third-party websites to remove your records from their platform. This can be done independently or through the removal option provided by some third-party platforms.