Fillmore County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fillmore County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Fillmore County may access publicly available information through FillmoreRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Fillmore County maintains criminal justice records through its court system, Sheriff's Office, and state-level repositories, and individuals may encounter a range of record types when conducting a search. Available data may include arrest records, booking information, court case filings, charge dispositions, sentencing details, and warrant status. The following categories of records are among those that may be located through official channels:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Jail roster and inmate records
- Sex offender registration entries
- Probation and parole status records
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Fillmore County District Court maintains case files for criminal proceedings filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for self-service searches at no charge.
Fillmore County District Court
101 Fillmore Street
Preston, MN 55965
Phone: (507) 765-3356
Minnesota Judicial Branch – Fillmore County
2. Sheriff's Office
The Fillmore County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed per applicable Minnesota statutes. The Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster online.
Fillmore County Sheriff's Office
905 Houston Street NW
Preston, MN 55965
Phone: (507) 765-3874
Fillmore 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 Fillmore County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case type, filing date, charges, and disposition information. Note that not all records are available online; sealed, expunged, and certain confidential case types are excluded from public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) serves as the state's official 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. Members of the public may submit requests through the BCA Criminal Justice Information Systems portal.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Minnesota BCA
5. Written and Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Fillmore County District Court Clerk or the Sheriff's Office by mail. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time. Mailing address for court records requests is 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965.
What Is Fillmore County Criminal Records
A criminal record is an official government document that reflects an individual's history of contact with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. In legal terms, a criminal record is created at the point of arrest and is updated as a case progresses through the justice system.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody but does not indicate guilt or conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, either through a guilty plea or a trial verdict. Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration, while misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses. Juvenile records are handled separately under Minnesota law and are typically sealed from public access. Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document past proceedings.
The following agencies maintain criminal records in Fillmore County:
- Fillmore County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Fillmore County District Court — court case files, charge filings, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident reports, arrest records within their jurisdiction
Records are created when law enforcement initiates an arrest and are updated at each stage of the criminal justice process, including arraignment, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing, and any subsequent probation or parole status changes. The Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains the official court record for all proceedings in Fillmore County District Court. Under Minnesota Statutes § 299C.10, law enforcement agencies are required to submit arrest and disposition data to the BCA for inclusion in the state criminal history system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Fillmore County
Criminal records in Fillmore County are presumptively public under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, arrest data, criminal investigation data, and court records are classified as public government data, subject to specific statutory exceptions. The statute provides that "arrest data, request for service data, response or incident data, and request for service data are public" to the extent not otherwise classified.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, charging documents, and sentencing orders are accessible to members of the public. Court records filed with the Fillmore County District Court are open for inspection pursuant to the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Sealed court records, including those sealed by court order
- Expunged records, which are legally removed from public access
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under Minnesota law
- Ongoing criminal investigation data that could compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain case types
- Records subject to federal confidentiality requirements
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Government Data Practices Act to criminal and court records. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not subject to Minnesota's open records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Fillmore County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Fillmore County court records is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal operated by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. This portal allows users to search by party name, case number, or citation number. Search results include case type, filing date, charges, and disposition. The Fillmore County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster on its website, reflecting individuals currently in custody.
State-Level Resources
The Minnesota BCA provides a criminal history background check portal for statewide searches. The Minnesota Judicial Branch's MCRO system covers all district courts statewide, enabling searches across county lines from a single interface.
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 records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems
- Be aware that records older than the digitization cutoff may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public online search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court proceeding or arrest. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute an official background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Fillmore 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 without requiring payment. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at the Fillmore County District Court Clerk's office and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — free case search for court records
- Fillmore County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster — current inmate information at no charge
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office are public data and may be reviewed at no cost during business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $14 per document (Minnesota court fee schedule) |
| Copies of paper records | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Official BCA background check | $15 per subject (self-request) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fee schedules are established under Minnesota court administrative rules and applicable statutes. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances; requestors should inquire directly with the relevant agency.
What's Included in a Fillmore County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes 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 reflect the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, 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.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of probation or supervised release, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or historical 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 adjudication records (confidential under Minnesota law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the Minnesota BCA or the relevant court. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Fillmore County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Minnesota's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Minnesota Historical Society and applicable statutes, govern how long criminal records must be maintained. The Minnesota State Archives publishes retention schedules applicable to county government records.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the state BCA
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; BCA retains per 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 to reflect the full disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines governed by Minnesota juvenile records statutes
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently under Minnesota court records retention rules. The Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records per county retention schedules. The Minnesota BCA retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history system.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, with the electronic version serving as the official record.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction removes a record entirely. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02, provides a legal mechanism for eligible individuals to have criminal records sealed from public view. Expungement does not eliminate records from law enforcement databases unless ordered by a court. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and other statutory criteria. Expungement petition forms are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules, independent of Minnesota or county-level expungement orders.
Practical Implications
Permanent felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though Minnesota law may impose additional limitations. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. As a matter of practical note, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a court has ordered legal expungement.