Scott County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Scott County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Scott County may access publicly available information through ScottCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Scott County may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and sentencing information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing public disclosure.
Records that may be found through official and aggregated sources include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case filings
- Charge information and case dispositions
- Sentencing records and probation status
- Active warrants (where publicly disclosed)
- Sex offender registration entries
Records may be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Scott County District Court maintains case records for criminal proceedings filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse.
Scott County District Court
200 Fourth Avenue West
Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 496-8200
Scott County District Court
Public access terminals are available during courthouse business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject or a case number to facilitate the search.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Scott County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, inmate rosters, and booking records. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Scott County Sheriff's Office
301 Fuller Street South
Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 445-1411
Scott County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal, which allows members of the public to search case records statewide, including Scott County. Users may search by party name, case number, or date of birth. Note that certain case types, including juvenile matters and sealed records, do not appear in public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and in some instances fingerprints. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Minnesota BCA Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Scott County District Court Administrator at 200 Fourth Avenue West, Shakopee, MN 55379. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and case number if known. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Scott County Criminal Records
A criminal record is an official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In Minnesota, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by plea or verdict. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Minnesota law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the most serious classification, carrying potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court and law enforcement records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under age 18 are subject to heightened confidentiality protections. Juvenile records are sealed by operation of law in most circumstances under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest and are maintained separately from closed case histories.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Scott County include:
- Scott County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Scott County District Court — court case files, charges, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident reports, arrest documentation
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon disposition. A complete record may include charges, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Scott County
Criminal records in Scott County are subject to public disclosure under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which governs law enforcement data. Under current law, arrest data, criminal charges, and court dispositions involving adults are classified as public data and are accessible to members of the public upon request.
The Minnesota Department of Administration has stated that "arrest data, request for detention data, and criminal history data on adults are public" under the Government Data Practices Act, subject to specific statutory exceptions.
Records that are accessible to the public include:
- Adult arrest records and booking information
- Criminal charges filed in district court
- Court case dispositions, including convictions and acquittals
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
Records that are restricted or not publicly accessible include:
- Juvenile records (sealed under § 260B.171)
- Expunged records (removed from public access by court order)
- Sealed case records
- Ongoing criminal investigation data
- Victim and witness identifying information
- Mental health and medical data collected during criminal proceedings
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal disclosure rules and are not subject to Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. The Minnesota Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the scope and application of the Government Data Practices Act.
How To Find Criminal Records in Scott County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Scott County criminal court records is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. This portal allows users to search by party name, case number, or date of birth and returns case filing information, charge details, and dispositions for public criminal cases. The Scott County Sheriff's Office also publishes an online inmate roster at the Scott County Sheriff's Office website.
State-Level Resources
The Minnesota Judicial Branch's statewide case search covers all Minnesota district courts, including Scott County. The Minnesota BCA provides background check services through its criminal history portal for authorized requestors.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for certified official background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Scott County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Minnesota law mandates that members of the public may inspect public government data at no charge. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities must allow inspection of public data during normal business hours. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at the Scott County District Court and the Scott County Sheriff's Office.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Court Records Online | Case search, charge info, dispositions | MCRO Portal |
| Scott County Sheriff Inmate Roster | Current inmate information | Sheriff's Office |
| Minnesota Sex Offender Registry | Registered offender search | MN Predatory Offender Registry |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Scott County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public may submit a data request to obtain these logs.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by Minnesota court administration
- Official BCA criminal history background checks: fee required per request
- Staff-assisted record searches: may incur additional fees
- Expedited processing: additional fees may apply
State Fee Law
Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities may charge for copies of public data but may not charge for inspection. Fee waivers or reduced fees may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the responsible authority.
What's Included in a Scott County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A criminal record in Scott County may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of probation), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under Minnesota law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records (where expungement has been granted)
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name variations, or incomplete updates following case resolution. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their records may petition the originating agency or the court for correction. The Minnesota BCA provides a process for challenging the accuracy of criminal history data maintained in the state repository.
How Long Does Scott County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Minnesota's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Minnesota Historical Society and the State Archives, govern how long criminal records must be maintained. Court records in Minnesota are subject to retention schedules approved by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the district court and the Minnesota BCA
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; BCA retention follows state schedule
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy; may be subject to expungement petition
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records (showing the disposition), though the public record reflects the dismissal or acquittal
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 18 in most circumstances under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171; destruction timelines vary by offense type
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- Scott County District Court: Permanent retention for criminal case files per Minnesota Supreme Court records retention rules
- Scott County Sheriff's Office: Retention periods vary by record type per county policy and state schedule
- Minnesota BCA: Permanent retention for conviction records; the BCA criminal history system maintains statewide data
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record
- Sealing removes a record from public access but preserves it for law enforcement use
- Expungement in Minnesota results in the sealing of records from public view; under Minnesota's expungement statute, certain records may be sealed from both public and law enforcement access depending on the offense
Expungement eligibility and procedures are governed by Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02. Individuals who successfully obtain an expungement order may have qualifying records sealed from public databases, though law enforcement agencies may retain access under specific circumstances. Expungement forms and instructions are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch self-help center.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special in-person requests at the Scott County District Court or may be located in the Minnesota State Archives. Pre-digital records are not accessible through online portals.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. Federal records exist independently of county and state records and are not affected by Minnesota expungement orders.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions retained permanently in state and county databases will appear on background checks regardless of the passage of time. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions within a seven-to-ten-year window, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of all convictions. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the records have been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.