Benton County, MN Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Benton County District Court is the trial court for Benton County and handles criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Benton County District Court |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts |
| Criminal Records Requests | Court Administrator at the county courthouse; find contact details at mncourts.gov/find-courts |
| Handles | Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, family, probate, and juvenile matters |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota), appeals (Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court), and parking tickets (issuing city or agency) |
| Online Case Search | Access Case Records (statewide) |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Pay a Fine (statewide) |
How to Search Benton County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search. Benton County district court records are kept by the Court Administrator.
Online
Go to Access Case Records on mncourts.gov to search statewide court records.
Check the case number on your paperwork before you search.
Confirm which records are available, since confidential cases are restricted.
Best for: Looking up a known case number
In Person
Go to the Benton County courthouse; find its address at mncourts.gov/find-courts.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the Court Administrator about records kept by the court.
Best for: Copies and records not available online
Contact the Court
Go to mncourts.gov/find-courts to find Benton County court contact details.
Ask the Court Administrator which request methods the court accepts.
Confirm what the court needs before you send any request.
Best for: Questions about a specific case
Search by Name on MinnesotaCourts.org
Go to MinnesotaCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Benton County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Benton County courts handled an estimated 9,037 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 8,856. The estimate scales Minnesota statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~9,037
Total filings in CY 2024
~8,856
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~4,518
Filings per judicial position (2 estimated positions)
~-1.6%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~9,037 | ~9,181 | ~-1.6% |
| Total Dispositions | ~8,856 | ~8,998 | ~-1.6% |
| Criminal Filings | ~5,784 | ~5,856 | ~-1.2% |
| Civil Filings | ~1,301 | ~1,337 | ~-2.7% |
| Family Law Filings | ~434 | ~441 | ~-1.6% |
| Probate Filings | ~181 | ~181 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~87 | ~87 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~87 | ~87 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~2 | ~2 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Minnesota statewide figures scaled by Benton County's 0.72% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Benton County?
Estimated total filings in Benton County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~9,037 | ~8,856 | ~-1.6% |
| CY 2023 | ~9,181 | ~8,998 | ~+2.4% |
| CY 2022 | ~8,964 | ~8,785 | ~+5.1% |
| CY 2021 | ~8,531 | ~8,360 | ~+7.3% |
| CY 2020 | ~7,952 | ~7,793 | ~+7.3% |
Estimated filings changed +13.6% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 7,952 to 9,037. The largest annual change was +7.3% in CY 2021. The latest change of -1.6% reflects statewide Minnesota trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Minnesota statewide figures scaled by Benton County's 0.72% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Benton County?
Criminal cases are estimated to be the largest category in Benton County, at about 64.0% of filings in CY 2024.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | ~5,784 | ~64.0% | ~-1.2% |
| Civil | ~1,301 | ~14.4% | ~-2.7% |
| Family law | ~434 | ~4.8% | ~-1.6% |
| Probate | ~181 | ~2.0% | ~+0.0% |
| Mental health | ~87 | ~1.0% | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile | ~87 | ~1.0% | ~+0.0% |
Probate cases are estimated as the fastest-growing category and civil cases as the fastest-falling. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Minnesota statewide figures scaled by Benton County's 0.72% share of the state population.
How Does Benton County Compare With Minnesota Overall?
Benton County is estimated to account for about 0.72% of the 1,250,000 cases filed in Minnesota courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | Benton County | Minnesota | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~9,037 | 1,250,000 | ~0.72% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.6% | -1.6% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~4,518 | 4,325 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~4,428 | 4,239 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~64.0% | 64.0% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~14.4% | 14.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~4.8% | 4.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Minnesota figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Minnesota statewide figures scaled by Benton County's 0.72% share of the state population.
Benton County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Minnesota statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Benton County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 11.7% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 99.8% of Minnesota's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
13,177
Violent crimes, Minnesota statewide, 2025
83,199
Property crimes, Minnesota statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
226.0
Violent crime rate per 100K, Minnesota statewide, 2025 (population 5,830,405)
-11.7%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Minnesota statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (96,376 vs 109,143)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 135 | 2.3 | 173 | -22.0% |
| Rape | 2,233 | 38.3 | 2,242 | -0.4% |
| Robbery | 2,065 | 35.4 | 2,844 | -27.4% |
| Aggravated assault | 8,744 | 150.0 | 9,754 | -10.4% |
| Violent crimes total | 13,177 | 226.0 | 15,013 | -12.2% |
| Burglary | 9,414 | 161.5 | 10,792 | -12.8% |
| Larceny-theft | 63,620 | 1091.2 | 70,354 | -9.6% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 9,659 | 165.7 | 12,394 | -22.1% |
| Property crimes total | 83,199 | 1427.0 | 94,130 | -11.6% |
Rates use the Minnesota 2025 population of 5,830,405. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Benton County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Benton County Courthouse Locations
Benton County court proceedings are held at the Benton County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County Courthouse | 615 Highway 23, Foley, MN 56329 | (320) 968-5205 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Benton County?
Most matters in Benton County go to the District Court. Some matters are handled outside the court, such as parking tickets (the issuing city or agency) and federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota).
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic citations are handled by the District Court. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the District Court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court, Criminal | Misdemeanor charges are heard in District Court. |
| Felony | District Court, Criminal | Felony charges are heard in District Court. |
| DUI | District Court, Criminal | DUI charges are criminal matters heard in District Court. |
| Domestic violence | District Court | Criminal charges and protection order requests are heard in District Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court, Civil | Civil lawsuits are heard in District Court. |
| Small claims | District Court | Small claims matters are heard in District Court. |
| Eviction | District Court | Eviction cases are heard in District Court. |
| Divorce | District Court, Family | Divorce cases are heard in District Court. |
| Child custody or support | District Court, Family | Custody and support matters are heard in District Court. |
| Probate or estate | District Court, Probate | Probate matters are heard in District Court. |
| Juvenile case | District Court, Juvenile | Juvenile matters are heard in District Court. |
| Appeal | Minnesota Court of Appeals | Appeals from District Court go to the Court of Appeals, then the Minnesota Supreme Court. |
Are Benton County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Benton County district court records are public, with exceptions. Minnesota's Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch set the public's right to inspect court records, and some records are restricted or confidential.
Public records
Most district court case records in Benton County are open to the public, subject to the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, some family, adoption, mental health, sealed, and expunged matters are not publicly available. Cases that are not remotely accessible under Minn. R. Pub. Access 8 are also not available online.
Online access
Access Case Records on mncourts.gov provides the statewide case search. Not every document is online, and confidential cases are not publicly available.
In-person access
Visit the county courthouse or contact the Court Administrator through mncourts.gov/find-courts to request records.
Fees
No fees are listed in this section. Ask the Court Administrator about copy costs before you request records.
How to Search Benton County Court Records Online
Use the statewide Access Case Records search to look up Benton County court records by case type, and contact the Court Administrator for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open Access Case Records on mncourts.gov for the statewide case search.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case information that the search returns.
- Contact the Court Administrator through mncourts.gov/find-courts to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Access Case Records | Case information returned by the statewide search | Confidential cases are not publicly available |
| Traffic | Access Case Records | Case information for traffic citations | Pay fines through the Pay a Fine page |
| Civil | Access Case Records | Case information returned by the statewide search | Not every document is online |
| Small claims | Access Case Records | Case information returned by the statewide search | Documents may require a request to the court |
| Family law | Access Case Records | Case information returned by the statewide search | Restricted family records are not public |
| Probate | Access Case Records | Case information returned by the statewide search | Not every document is online |
| Juvenile | Court Administrator (not in the statewide search) | Limited case information through the court | Juvenile records are generally not public |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Benton County
Traffic citations in Benton County can be paid through the statewide Pay a Fine page or by contacting the District Court.
- Online: Pay through the statewide Pay a Fine page on mncourts.gov. Have your citation details ready before you pay.
- Phone: Contact the District Court through mncourts.gov/find-courts to ask about payment options for your citation.
Parking tickets are paid to the city or agency that issued the ticket, not to the District Court.
Benton County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Benton County court records?
Use Access Case Records on mncourts.gov to search statewide court records, or contact the Court Administrator through mncourts.gov/find-courts.
Are Benton County court records public?
Most are, under Minnesota's Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, but juvenile, sealed, and other confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name or case number in Access Case Records, then confirm details with the Court Administrator through mncourts.gov/find-courts.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or citation first, then contact the Court Administrator through mncourts.gov/find-courts to confirm the date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay through the statewide Pay a Fine page, or contact the District Court for other payment options.
How many cases are filed in Benton County each year?
Filing counts are not included in this section. Benton County had 41,744 residents in 2025 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
What is the most common type of case?
This section does not include filing counts by case type. The District Court hears criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters.
Is crime in the county rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 12.2% to 13,177 in 2025 from 15,013 in 2024, and property crimes fell 11.6% to 83,199 from 94,130, as reported to the FBI. These are Minnesota statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Benton County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 615 Highway 23, Foley, MN, 56329 |
| Phone Number: | 320-968-5205 |
| Fax: | 320-968-5353 |
| Website: | http://www.mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Benton.aspx |
Useful Links
- Benton County District Court - Minnesota Judicial Branch Find information on Benton County court operations, hearing schedules, and access to public records through the Minnesota Judicial Branch's portal.
- Court Administration - Benton County, MN Access court schedules, filing fees, and contact details for Benton County's Court Administration office for efficient court operations.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) - Access Criminal Court Case Records Utilize this guide to access criminal court case records from Benton County and other Minnesota court sites with privacy considerations.
- Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) Remote Search Benton County trial court case records remotely and conduct public searches by using the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access platform.
- Criminal Cases - Minnesota Judicial Branch Resources Comprehensive resources for navigating criminal cases in Benton County, including filing, legal procedures, and public access to criminal records.
- Civil Cases - Minnesota Judicial Branch Help Topics Access resources and guidance on civil cases, including filing instructions, procedures, and record searches for Benton County civil disputes.
- Find Minnesota Courts - Court Location Directory Utilize the directory to locate court services across Benton County and other Minnesota districts, including contact details and addresses.
- Benton County Law Library - Legal Resources Legal resources and assistance at Benton County Law Library for research needs, including accessing books, online databases, and legal forms.
- LawHelpMN - Minnesota Legal Aid and Assistance Find legal aid, assistance, and resources for Benton County residents tackling various legal issues, including family law and tenant rights.
- Minnesota State Law Library - Legal Research and Information Provides comprehensive legal research materials and public resources available to Benton County residents and other state library users.
- Minnesota Legal Services Coalition - Free Legal Aid Statewide organization offering free legal assistance and resources to low-income Benton County residents in need of legal representation.
- Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center Resources Self-help tools and resources for Benton County citizens navigating the court system, including interactive guides and document preparation.
- Records and Property Information - Benton County, MN Access public property records and vital statistics provided by Benton County for genealogy, property transactions, and legal documentation.
- Minnesota Statutes - State Revisor of Statutes Referenced compilation of Minnesota State statutes available for Benton County legal research, codified laws, and legislative information.
- Jury Service - Minnesota Judicial Branch Understand jury service requirements and duties for Benton County residents, including summons procedures and juror responsibilities in court.
- Minnesota Attorney General’s Office - Public Resources Public resources offered by the Attorney General's Office for Benton County citizens, including consumer protection and legal advice services.
- Minnesota Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Assistance for Benton County residents facing legal barriers in mental health and developmental disabilities services facilitated by the ombudsman.
- Minnesota Data Practices - Public Access to Government Data Explore Benton County public data access rights, available government records, and procedures for requesting copies of public information.
- Minnesota Judicial Branch - Judges Directory Directory of judges presiding over Benton County cases and other Minnesota courts, with contact information and judge biographies.
- eFile and eServe - Minnesota Judicial Branch Electronic filing and serving system for Benton County court documents, enabling streamlined case submissions and online document management.
- Minnesota Judicial Branch Mobile App Stay updated on Benton County court cases and schedules using the mobile app offering convenient access to court services and case information.
Table of Contents
- Benton County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Benton County Court Records
- Benton County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Benton County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Benton County?
- How Does Benton County Compare With Minnesota Overall?
- Benton County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Benton County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Benton County?
- Are Benton County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Benton County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Benton County
- Benton County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links