Criminal records in Scott County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. ScottCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be checked through the official state court portal, county law enforcement agencies, and the district court clerk's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in Scott County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Scott
There are several ways to find criminal records. Start with what you know: the person's full name, date of birth, or case number.
Online Search
- ScottCourt.us — enter the name or case number to view publicly available information about district court criminal cases.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — the official portal of the Minnesota judicial branch. Select Scott County from the list of counties, then search by defendant's name or case number. MCRO displays a limited set of public data; it is not the official court record.
- Scott County Jail Roster — a list of individuals currently held in the county jail in Shakopee.
- Community Crime Map — an interactive map that automatically syncs with the sheriff's record system and displays up-to-date crime information.
- Search Individuals and Fugitives — a database of the Minnesota Department of Corrections for searching convicted individuals and those required to register as predatory offenders.
What You Need for the Search
- Full name of the person (preferably exact spelling)
- Date of birth (not mandatory, but narrows results)
- Case number, if known
In-Person Visit
Visit the Scott County District Court building in Shakopee. A wider range of records is available at the public access terminals (MPA) in the courthouse than through the online version of MCRO.
Written Request
The district court clerk's office accepts requests by mail. Include the person's name, date of birth, and type of record. For a state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Sheriff's Records Division maintains criminal history, investigative reports, and sheriff's office criminal files. For county data requests, use the Scott County data request portal.
Search Scott Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in Minnesota has a standard format, and each part carries specific information:
| Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| County Code | Two-digit numerical county code (Scott = 70) | 70 |
| Court Type | Letter designation of court level (CR — criminal cases, TR — traffic violations) | CR |
| Year | Two-digit year of case filing | 24 |
| Sequential Number | Sequential number within the year | 1234 |
The full number looks like this: 70-CR-24-1234. Enter it in MCRO or on ScottCourt.us, and the system will return the specific case without the need to filter results by name.
If you only have part of the number — for example, the case type and year — the portal will allow you to narrow the search with additional parameters.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Scott
Charges
- Statute Code — reference to a specific section of the Minnesota Statutes (e.g., § 609.52 — theft).
- Severity Level: felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor.
- Amended Charges — the prosecutor may change the initial charge during the case; updated information is reflected in the record.
Case Status
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open, and a decision has not yet been made |
| Active | The case is under consideration, hearings are scheduled |
| Disposed | The court has made a final decision |
| Closed | All procedural actions are completed, and the case is closed |
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court session where the charges are read to the defendant, and they plead guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (usually in felony cases).
- Pre-trial — the parties discuss procedural issues and the possibility of a plea agreement.
- Sentencing — the announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review — a control session to check compliance with probation conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty by the court or pleads guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury acquits the defendant |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — the prosecutor withdrew the charges or the court terminated the proceedings |
| Continued for Dismissal | The case is postponed; if conditions are met, the charges will be dropped |
| Acquitted | The defendant is acquitted after a substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Scott
Certified copies of court criminal records are documents with an official seal accepted by other institutions and employers.
Where to Apply
- Scott County District Court Clerk's Office — for certified copies of court decisions, indictments, hearing transcripts. Detailed information is available on the Copy Requests page.
- Sheriff's Records Division — for investigative reports and criminal files maintained by the sheriff's office.
- BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) — for a complete state-level criminal history in Minnesota.
How to Submit a Request
- Online — view records through MCRO, then contact the clerk's office for a certified copy.
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office in the Scott County Courthouse building. Bring valid photo identification.
- By Mail — send a written request with the party's name, case number (if known), document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fees.
Required Documents
- Valid photo identification (for in-person requests)
- Written request with case details
- Payment of fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Scott
Fees for copies of court records in Minnesota are regulated by Minn. Stat. § 357.021. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification | $10.00 |
| Record search by court clerk | Depends on volume; check with the clerk's office |
| Criminal check through BCA | Depends on the type of check; usually from $15 |
Processing Times
- In Person — copies are usually issued the same day if the document is available in the electronic system.
- By Mail — processing may take from a few business days to two weeks, depending on the clerk's office workload.
- BCA — times vary; electronic requests are processed faster than paper ones.
For current fees and processing times, call the court clerk's office at (952) 496-8200 or check the Scott County District Court Copy Requests page.