- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Minnesota Court Records?
Minnesota is the 22nd-most populous state in the US, with over 5.6 million residents. The state operates a single-tiered trial court system, and its judicial branch consists of three levels: a supreme court, a court of appeals, and district courts. Minnesota does not allow the death penalty, and its courts handle about 2 million cases annually.
Records for these cases are official documentation of what happened during a trial or a hearing and are considered public records in the state. These Minnesota Court Records include a complaint for a civil suit or an indictment for a criminal trial, as well as the following:
Docket Sheet
Dockets are formal records listing key information, such as attorneys of record, parties, and judges. They will also include a list and summary of the documents used in the trial, acting as an inventory for the record.
Judgments and Orders
These papers refer to the decisions made by the judge and/or jury. The judge signs the final judgment outlining each party's punishments and responsibilities after the trial ends.
Transcripts
Transcripts are verbatim records of court proceedings, including the speaker's name. These records are useful as evidence for a motion or when requesting an appeal. Minnesota does not prepare transcripts without an explicit request.
Evidence
Physical and document-based evidence is recorded from police reports and introduced by both legal sides during arguments.
Court Minutes
A document recording the start and end time of a trial. It is a summary of the events of the court like recesses, testimonies, and official statements.
Pleadings
Statements that describe each party's requests to the court, such as complaints, plea bargains, or motions.
Briefs
Arguments written by legal counsel and submitted to the court. These documents provide examples to support their claims.
These details provide context for the court's decisions and keep the justice system accountable via public records. Anyone with information on the parties' names or case numbers can access most of this information.
Types of Court Cases
There are two primary types of court cases: civil and criminal. Both legal branches are interested in determining who's at fault, but they do so using distinct processes, burdens of proof, and punishments.
Civil Cases
A civil case seeks to resolve disputes between individuals and/or organizations. This means neither side represents the government, and there is no guarantee of a lawyer. The primary goal of a civil resolution is to fairly compensate victims based on legal context.
Common examples of civil cases include:
- Family Law
- Property Disputes
- Bankruptcy Filings
Civil cases are decided using a standard called the preponderance of evidence. Meeting this standard requires the jury to vote that one side's argument is more plausible based on the evidence.
Government absence in civil cases means that imprisonment is typically not an option. Most situations end in monetary compensation or the loss of certain privileges, such as visitation rights in divorce court.
Criminal Cases
In criminal cases, the plaintiff is a government agency representing "The People". These cases aren't meant to compensate victims but to uphold the law and stabilize society.
Criminal cases often result in much harsher punishments. A guilty verdict may lead to imprisonment or the confiscation of other rights, such as firearm ownership or driving privileges. The severity of these consequences also places a higher burden of proof on the plaintiff.
Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard of proof means that a jury must reach a unanimous decision. If any juror repeatedly dissents, the trial starts with a new selection of jurors.
Common examples of criminal cases include:
- Murder
- Domestic Violence
- Burglary
What Are the Different Courts in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a unified, three-tier court system made up of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and a single statewide District Court. District courts alone spent about $373 million in fiscal year 2024.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Supreme Court | Highest court; discretionary review statewide | Final state appeals, first-degree murder appeals, and oversight of the judiciary |
| Appellate | Court of Appeals | Intermediate appellate court | Reviews district court decisions and many state agency decisions |
| Appellate | Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals | Workers' compensation decisions | Reviews rulings of compensation judges and the Office of Administrative Hearings |
| General Jurisdiction | District Court | All civil and criminal cases in 87 counties and 10 judicial districts | Felony and misdemeanor cases, traffic, civil, family, juvenile, probate, and conciliation matters |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Tax Court | Disputes over state and local tax assessments | Independent review of tax orders and appeals from the Department of Revenue |
How Many Federal Courts Are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has only one Federal district court with six active judges. Currently, three seats are held by both major parties, but another Democrat judge is pending nomination. Appeals from this court are sent to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.
This court has limited jurisdiction, meaning it can only hear specific cases. The U.S. Constitution sets this restriction to check the Federal government's power. Federal Courts can only hear cases that raise a Federal Question or involve parties from other states or countries.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Minnesota?
Minnesota district courts recorded about 1.10 million filings in fiscal year 2024, with the statewide clearance rate for all case groups at 100%. Traffic and parking matters make up nearly two-thirds of all filings, and minor criminal filings are counted by charge.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | 712,686 | 64.6% | Moving violations, parking tickets, and juvenile traffic offenses | 101% |
| Criminal | 160,750 | 14.6% | Felonies, gross misdemeanors, DWI, fifth-degree assault, and other non-traffic misdemeanors | ~103% |
| Civil | 100,713 | 9.1% | Harassment restraining orders, evictions, judgments, contract, and personal injury cases | ~96% |
| Small Claims | 56,138 | 5.1% | Conciliation court claims such as unpaid debts and property disputes | ~95% |
| Domestic Relations | 35,498 | 3.2% | Divorce, child support, adoption, and domestic abuse orders | 99% |
| Juvenile | 20,659 | 1.9% | Delinquency, child protection, permanency, and truancy | 99% |
| Other | 17,091 | 1.5% | Probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health commitments | 100% |
| Total | 1,103,535 | 100% | — | 100% |
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Minnesota?
Court records in Minnesota are maintained by the respective courts where the cases were heard. If the case was appealed, the documents are found through the Minnesota Court of Appeals or the state Supreme Court.
The most convenient method to order court records is through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). This web service allows users to search for cases using a broad variety of keywords, including:
- Party names
- Business names
- Attorney names
- Case number
- Citation number
- Attorney bar number
MCRO has multiple search options, offering access to individual documents, hearing information, and final judgments. However, this database can only guarantee records filed starting on July 1, 2015. Documents filed before that date are limited to online means.
Interested parties can also make requests at the counter of the respective courthouse. Court records are locally stored, and the clerk of courts can provide the necessary forms. All you have to know is any of the above-bulleted details.
There are situations where the records are stored off-site, impeding the usual one-day turnaround time.
People living too far from the correct courthouse can mail a Copy Request Form. It is preferable to use the county-specific form, but a non-standard written request is also acceptable. Courthouse addresses can be found here.
Mail-in and in-person requests must be accompanied by payment, or the request will be denied. Certified copies containing a court seal are typically $14 per document, but this may vary by courthouse. Additionally, Exemplified copies are double the cost at $28 per document.
Transcripts have a special request process since they are not prepared alongside other court records. Orders must be made in person or through the unique online order form.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Minnesota's state judges serve on the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, specialized appellate and tax courts, and a single District Court, while the federal bench consists of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The federal count reflects one current vacancy.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Highest appellate court statewide | 7 | Nonpartisan election to six-year terms, with the Governor filling vacancies |
| Court of Appeals | Intermediate appellate court statewide | 19 | Nonpartisan election to six-year terms, with the Governor filling vacancies |
| Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals | Appeals of workers' compensation decisions | 5 | Appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation |
| District Court | General jurisdiction trial court in 10 judicial districts | 296 | Nonpartisan election by district to six-year terms, with the Governor filling vacancies |
| Tax Court | State and local tax appeals | 3 | Appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation |
| U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota | Federal civil and criminal cases in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Fergus Falls | 6 | Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving for life |
| Total Active Judges | — | 336 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Minnesota?
Certain records are sealed by the courts or existing laws and are not accessible upon request. Excluded information typically concerns minors, domestic abuse, or proprietary business information.
This type of information is not essential to maintaining government transparency or placing excessive harm on the parties.
Some court participants may also request that the judge seal their records. However, they must provide acceptable reasons, such as preserving their safety or hiding financial documentation.
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing times in Minnesota vary by case type, from days for domestic abuse orders to most of a year for felony cases. Times below are based on fiscal year 2024 average days to disposition where the state reports them, and estimated for categories it does not report separately.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | General Jurisdiction | ~1–2 months | Most tickets are resolved by payment or a plea by mail, with contested cases set for a short hearing | 101% |
| Small Claims | General Jurisdiction | ~2–3 months | Conciliation court hearings are informal, with no jury and a judgment entered shortly after the hearing | ~95% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | General Jurisdiction | About 2–3 months | Arraignment and pretrial hearings lead to a plea, dismissal, or bench or jury trial; the state average is 72 days for minor criminal cases | 101% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | About 3 months | Many cases end quickly through default, dismissal, or restraining order rulings, while contested cases move through discovery and trial | 98% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | About 4 months | Divorces average about 124 days, with uncontested cases settled by agreement and contested custody matters taking longer | 99% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | About 8 months | Charging, omnibus hearing, and plea negotiation, with most cases resolved by guilty plea and a minority going to trial | 105% |