Criminal records in Ramsey County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. RamseyCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be found through the official state court portal, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, and the District Court Clerk's Office. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to search, obtain certified copies, and understand criminal case data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Ramsey
To search for criminal records, you will need at least one of the following: the person's full name, date of birth, or case number. There are several ways to conduct a search.
Online Search
- RamseyCourt.us — enter the person's first or last name to find publicly available information about criminal court cases in the county.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — the official portal of the Minnesota judicial branch. Select Ramsey County from the list, then search by defendant's name, case number, or attorney's last name.
- Arrest Warrant Search — a tool from the Sheriff's Office for checking active warrants.
- Adult Detention Center Roster — data on current inmates and individuals released within the last five days. Updated every 30 minutes.
- Criminal History and Arrest Reports — Sheriff's Office page with information on how to order an arrest report.
In-Person Visit
Public access terminals are available in the Ramsey County Courthouse building, where you can view court cases. The court clerk's office can help locate a specific case or explain how to use the system.
The Court Records department welcomes visitors who wish to view case materials or order copies.
Written Request
A request for criminal history can be submitted by mail to the Sheriff's Office. You must provide the person's full name, date of birth, and a valid ID. You can also use the Data Practices Act request form to obtain public county data.
Search Ramsey Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Minnesota have a standard format consisting of several parts:
- County Code — a two-digit numeric code (for Ramsey — 62)
- Case Type — a letter code indicating the category: CR (criminal case), TR (traffic), JV (juvenile case), etc.
- Sequential Number — a unique number assigned when the case is filed
- Year — a two-digit designation of the year the case was filed
Example: 62-CR-24-12345 indicates a criminal case filed in Ramsey County in 2024 under number 12345. If you know the case number, enter it in the appropriate field on the MCRO portal — this is the fastest way to find the desired record without having to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Ramsey
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific section of the Minnesota Statutes under which the charges are filed |
| Severity Level | Felony, Gross Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor, Petty Misdemeanor |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce the initial charges during the proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Active — the case is active, hearings are scheduled, or actions from the parties are expected
- Disposed — the case has been resolved: a verdict has been issued, dismissed, or otherwise closed
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, and the case is archived
Hearings
A criminal case typically goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant is read the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (applies to felonies)
- Pre-Trial — the parties discuss procedural issues, possible plea agreements
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — at the prosecutor's or court's initiative |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after substantive review |
| Continuance for Dismissal | The case is postponed; charges may be dropped upon meeting certain conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Ramsey
Certified copies are official documents with a certifying stamp, accepted by other institutions as legal proof.
Court Records
The Ramsey County District Court Clerk's Office issues certified copies of court documents. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
What you need for the request:
- The defendant's full name or case number
- A valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of prescribed fees
Criminal History Reports (Arrests)
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office processes requests for criminal history reports. Full name, date of birth, and identification are required for processing the request. For copies of police reports (incident reports), contact the local law enforcement agency that made the arrest directly.
State-Level Criminal History
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains a centralized criminal history registry. Requests can be submitted online through the BCA system or by mail. Such a report covers arrests and charges throughout the state.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Ramsey
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.25 per page | Ramsey County District Court, according to Minn. Stat. § 357.021 |
| Document certification | $14.00 | Set by Minnesota legislation for district courts |
| Criminal history report (BCA, public) | $15.00 | Bureau of Criminal Apprehension |
| Criminal history report through Sheriff's Office | Check upon request | Ramsey County Sheriff's Office |
Processing Times
- Online search via MCRO — results appear instantly
- Certified copies (in-person) — usually the same day or within a few business days
- Mail requests — from 5 to 15 business days depending on the volume of the request and the clerk's office workload
- BCA online report — usually within a few minutes after payment
Copy and certification fees are set according to Minn. Stat. § 357.021. Current rates should be checked directly with the court clerk's office or the Sheriff's Office website, as they may change.