Hennepin County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hennepin County
Arrest records in Hennepin County are generally considered public information under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive state law governs access to government records, including those related to law enforcement activities. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement data, including arrest records, are classified as public government data unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law.
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act establishes that arrest data, including the name, age, sex, and address of an adult person arrested, the time, date, and place of the arrest, and the arrest charge, are public information. However, it is important for members of the public to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a crime through the judicial process.
Under Minnesota law, the mere presence of an arrest record does not indicate guilt, as individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains the state's official criminal history records and provides guidance on the public accessibility of such records in accordance with § 13.87 of the Minnesota Statutes.
What's in Hennepin County Arrest Records
Hennepin County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals taken into custody. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Home address
- Identification numbers (state ID, driver's license)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest
- Use of force information (if applicable)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance citations
- Charge severity (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
- Charge descriptions
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking number
- Property inventory
- Medical screening information
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bond type
- Payment status
- Release conditions
Court Information:
- Court case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Court location
- Assigned judge
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Projected release date (if applicable)
- Housing assignment
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Known aliases
- Gang affiliation (if documented)
- Special custody requirements
- Immigration status/holds
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency within Hennepin County and the circumstances of the arrest. All information is maintained in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and relevant county policies.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Hennepin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Hennepin County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for record retrieval, each with specific procedures:
- Visit the Hennepin County District Court Records Center in person:
Hennepin County District Court Records Center
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South Sixth Street, Room C-3
Minneapolis, MN 55487
612-348-3033
Hennepin County District Court
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding court holidays)
- Submit a written request to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office:
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
350 South 5th Street, Room 6
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-348-3744
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
- Contact the arresting agency directly. For Minneapolis Police Department records:
Minneapolis Police Department Records Unit
350 South 5th Street, Room 31
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2961
Minneapolis Police Department
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide:
- Full name of the person in the record
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case or incident number (if known)
- Valid government-issued photo identification
- Completed request form (available at service locations or online)
- Payment of applicable fees (varies by agency and request type)
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government agencies must respond to data requests in a timely manner, typically within 10 business days. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records as permitted under state law.
How To Find Hennepin County Arrest Records Online
Hennepin County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests:
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Minnesota Public Access Court Records (MNCIS): The primary online portal for accessing court records related to arrests in Hennepin County is the Minnesota Judicial Branch's Public Access system. This database includes:
- Case records
- Hearing schedules
- Judgment information
- Charging documents
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Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office maintains an online jail roster that provides information about currently incarcerated individuals, including:
- Inmate name
- Booking date
- Charges
- Next court appearance
- Bond information
-
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Public Criminal History: For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests, the Minnesota BCA offers an online search system for a fee of $8.00 per name search.
To conduct an online search for arrest records:
- Navigate to the appropriate website
- Create an account if required
- Enter the search criteria (name, date of birth, case number)
- Pay any applicable fees
- Review and download available records
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete arrest information, particularly for recent arrests that have not yet been processed into the court system. Additionally, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which governs confidential law enforcement data.
How To Search Hennepin County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Hennepin County arrest records without incurring fees:
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Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a free online jail roster that provides basic information about individuals currently in custody, including:
- Name of detainee
- Booking date
- Charges
- Next court date
- Custody status
-
Minnesota District Court Public Access Terminals: Free public access terminals are available at the:
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55487
612-348-3033
Hennepin County District Court
These terminals provide access to the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) without the fees associated with remote online access.
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Local Law Enforcement Agency Websites: Many police departments within Hennepin County provide free access to recent arrest logs and police blotters on their official websites, including the Minneapolis Police Department.
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Local Public Libraries: Hennepin County libraries offer free internet access where individuals can search public online resources related to arrests and court cases.
When utilizing free resources, requestors should be aware of certain limitations:
- Information may be less comprehensive than paid record searches
- Recent arrests may not appear immediately in free databases
- Some free resources only maintain records for a limited time period
- Certain case details may require formal requests or fees to access
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, while government agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, they must allow for the inspection of public government data at no cost during normal business hours.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Hennepin County
In Minnesota, individuals cannot "delete" arrest records in the traditional sense, but may petition for expungement or sealing of records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process that restricts public access to criminal records, while sealing limits who can view the records without completely destroying them.
The Minnesota Second Chance Law (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A) governs the expungement process. Under this statute, individuals may qualify for expungement if:
- The charges were dismissed
- The individual was found not guilty
- The individual successfully completed a diversion program or stay of adjudication
- The conviction was for certain low-level offenses and the required waiting period has passed
- The expungement would yield benefits to the petitioner that outweigh the disadvantages to the public and public safety
To petition for expungement in Hennepin County:
- Obtain and complete the expungement petition forms from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website
- File the petition with the Hennepin County District Court
- Pay the filing fee (currently $325, though fee waivers may be available)
- Serve copies of the petition on all relevant agencies
- Attend the scheduled expungement hearing
- If granted, ensure the expungement order is properly served on all agencies
The court will consider several factors when determining whether to grant an expungement, including:
- The nature and severity of the offense
- The risk posed to public safety
- The length of time since the offense
- The steps taken toward rehabilitation
- The reasons for seeking expungement
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 609A.03, subdivision 5, the burden of proof rests with the petitioner to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that expungement would yield benefits that outweigh the disadvantages to the public.
It is important to note that even when records are expunged, certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and the courts, may still have access to the records for official purposes.
What Happens After Arrest in Hennepin County?
Following an arrest in Hennepin County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process that includes several key stages:
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Booking Process: Upon arrival at a detention facility, arrestees undergo:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check
- Initial custody classification
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Initial Appearance/Arraignment: Within 36 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), arrestees appear before a judge at the Hennepin County District Court where:
- Charges are formally presented
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Bail or release conditions are determined
- Public defender may be appointed if the defendant qualifies
- Next court date is scheduled
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Pretrial Phase: This period between arraignment and trial may include:
- Pretrial release or continued detention
- Discovery of evidence
- Filing of motions
- Plea negotiations
- Omnibus hearing to address constitutional issues
- Pretrial conference to determine trial readiness
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Resolution: Cases may conclude through:
- Dismissal of charges
- Plea agreement
- Trial by judge or jury
- Diversion program participation
- Stay of adjudication
-
Sentencing (if convicted): The court imposes penalties that may include:
- Incarceration
- Probation
- Fines and fees
- Restitution to victims
- Community service
- Treatment programs
-
Post-Conviction: Following case resolution:
- Appeal rights are explained
- Sentence is executed
- Probation supervision begins (if applicable)
- Record of arrest and disposition is maintained
Throughout this process, individuals have constitutional rights protected under both Minnesota and federal law, including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right to a fair and speedy trial as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I of the Minnesota Constitution.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Hennepin County?
Arrest records in Hennepin County are maintained according to the Minnesota Official Records Act (Minnesota Statutes § 15.17) and the specific retention schedules adopted by various criminal justice agencies. These retention periods ensure both accountability and the preservation of important public safety information.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), as the central repository for criminal history information in the state, maintains arrest records indefinitely unless expunged by court order. Local law enforcement agencies in Hennepin County typically follow these retention guidelines:
- Arrest reports for adults: Minimum of 10 years from date of arrest
- Arrest reports involving juveniles: Until the individual reaches age 19, or for 10 years, whichever is longer
- Arrest reports for serious felonies (murder, criminal sexual conduct, etc.): Permanent retention
- Booking photographs and fingerprints: Retained by the BCA indefinitely
- Arrest warrants: 10 years after service or cancellation
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments may have agency-specific retention policies that extend beyond these minimums. Court records related to arrests are maintained by the Hennepin County District Court according to the Minnesota Judicial Branch records retention schedule.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.87, criminal history data maintained by the BCA and other law enforcement agencies are classified as public unless specifically classified as private or confidential by state or federal law. The extended retention of these records serves several important public purposes:
- Documentation of law enforcement activities
- Support for ongoing criminal investigations
- Provision of complete criminal history information for background checks
- Statistical analysis of crime patterns
- Accountability for law enforcement actions
Individuals seeking information about specific record retention periods should contact the agency that created or maintains the records in question.
How to Find Mugshots in Hennepin County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are created during the arrest booking process in Hennepin County. These photographs serve as official documentation of an individual's appearance at the time of arrest and are considered law enforcement records.
What Mugshots Are Mugshots typically consist of front-facing and profile photographs of arrested individuals, taken against a standardized background with identifying information. These images become part of the official arrest record and booking documentation.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Hennepin County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:
- The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office for individuals booked into county facilities
- Municipal police departments for arrests processed at local facilities
- The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as part of the state's criminal history records
Finding Mugshots To obtain official copies of booking photographs, individuals may:
- Submit a formal public records request to the arresting agency
- Visit the records division of the appropriate law enforcement agency in person
- Contact the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Records Unit:
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Records Unit
350 South 5th Street, Room 6
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-348-3744
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Can They Be Found Online While some booking photographs may appear on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office jail roster for currently incarcerated individuals, Hennepin County does not maintain a comprehensive public database of all historical booking photographs. Third-party websites may publish mugshots obtained through public records requests, but these sources are not officially affiliated with county agencies.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially When requesting booking photographs, requestors must typically:
- Provide the full name of the subject
- Include the approximate date of arrest
- Submit proper identification
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying
- Complete required request forms
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Access to booking photographs may be restricted in certain circumstances, including:
- Juvenile arrests (protected under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171)
- Ongoing investigations where release could compromise public safety
- Cases where records have been sealed or expunged by court order
- Certain victim-related crimes where identification could compromise victim safety
The Minneapolis Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in Hennepin County follow the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act when determining whether to release booking photographs in response to public records requests.
Lookup Arrest Records in Hennepin County
Records Center - Hennepin County District Court
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office