St. Louis County Public Records / St. Louis County Arrest Records

St. Louis County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Louis County

Arrest records in St. Louis County, Minnesota, are generally accessible to members of the public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minn. Stat. § 13.82. This statute classifies certain law enforcement data as public, including the name and date of birth of individuals arrested, the time, date, and location of an arrest, the charges filed, and the identity of the arresting agency. Under current law, this information becomes public at the time of arrest, regardless of whether a conviction ultimately results.

It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not constitute evidence of guilt. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Minnesota law recognizes this distinction, and certain arrest data — particularly for juveniles or cases that did not result in charges — may be subject to restricted access under Minn. Stat. § 13.87, which governs criminal history data maintained by law enforcement agencies. Members of the public seeking arrest records from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office may submit public data requests through the Records Division, which is responsible for processing and maintaining crime and arrest records, traffic accident reports, citations, and related documents.

What's in St. Louis County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by St. Louis County law enforcement agencies typically contain a standardized set of data fields as defined by state statute and agency policy. The following categories represent the information commonly found within these records.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Home address at time of arrest
State identification number (SID) and FBI number, if applicable

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, Duluth Police Department)
Circumstances and narrative summary of the arrest

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
Statute citations for each charge
Classification of offense (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date of warrant issuance
Jurisdiction of the warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date
Facility where the individual was booked
Booking officer identification

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Type of bond (cash, surety, or release on recognizance)
Bond conditions, if any

Court Information:

Case number assigned by the court
Scheduled court appearance dates
Assigned judge or judicial officer

Custody Status:

Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
Release date and conditions of release, if applicable

Additional Information May Include:

Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
Co-defendant information where applicable
Disposition of prior related charges

How To Look Up Arrest Records in St. Louis County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain arrest records from St. Louis County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.

Submit a Public Data Request to the Sheriff's Office: The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Records Division accepts written requests for public law enforcement data. Requestors should specify the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of the incident. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the online request portal available on the county website.
Visit the St. Louis County District Court: Court records related to criminal cases, including charges arising from arrests, are maintained by the district court. Members of the public may inspect these records at the courthouse during regular business hours.
Use Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates an online portal through which members of the public may search court case records statewide.
Contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA): The BCA maintains statewide criminal history records. Individuals may request their own criminal history record or, in certain circumstances, request records on others through authorized channels.
Review the Jail Roster: The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster listing individuals currently held in the county jail.

St. Louis County Sheriff's Office — Records Division 100 North 5th Avenue West, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-2340 St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

St. Louis County District Court — Duluth 100 North 5th Avenue West, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-2460 St. Louis County District Court – Duluth Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

How To Find St. Louis County Arrest Records Online

Several official online resources are currently available to members of the public seeking arrest and related criminal justice records for St. Louis County.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides the Case Search tool through MCRO, which allows users to search for court case records by name, case number, or date of birth. This system includes criminal case filings that correspond to arrests resulting in formal charges. Note that MCRO data is provided as a service and does not constitute the official court record.
St. Louis County Jail Roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible jail roster listing individuals currently held in the St. Louis County Jail. The roster includes the individual's name, charges, and booking information.
Public Offender Records: The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office provides access to public offender records, which link to resources including the Minnesota Criminal History database, Minnesota Department of Corrections offender locator, and the sex offender registry.
Minnesota BCA Criminal History Search: The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension offers an online criminal history search tool for authorized users at bca.mn.gov.

How To Search St. Louis County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access a range of arrest and criminal justice records at no cost through official government channels currently available in St. Louis County.

MCRO Free Search: The Minnesota Court Records Online system provides basic case information at no charge. Users may search by name or case number to retrieve publicly available court data associated with criminal arrests and charges.
Jail Roster (No Fee): The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office publishes the current inmate roster online at no cost. This resource is updated regularly and includes booking details for individuals currently in custody.
In-Person Inspection at the Courthouse: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government entities are required to permit members of the public to inspect public data at no charge. Individuals may visit the St. Louis County District Court or the Sheriff's Office Records Division during business hours to review records in person without incurring a fee. Copies may be subject to a per-page fee as authorized by statute.
Public Offender Databases: The Sheriff's Office links to several free state-maintained databases, including the Minnesota Department of Corrections offender locator and the predatory offender registry, accessible through the public offender records page.

How To Delete Arrest Records in St. Louis County

Minnesota law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure or sealing of the record) and sealing (restricting public access without destruction of the record). These are distinct remedies. Expungement under Minnesota law typically results in the sealing of records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain access. True destruction of records is rare and subject to strict statutory criteria.

When Expungement May Be Available:

The case was resolved without a conviction (e.g., charges were dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or the case was diverted)
A statutory waiting period has elapsed following completion of a sentence
The offense falls within the categories enumerated under Minn. Stat. § 609A.02, which governs eligibility for expungement in Minnesota
The petitioner demonstrates that the benefits of expungement outweigh the disadvantages to public safety and the burden on the court

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain and review the criminal record to confirm eligibility under current Minnesota law.
Complete the expungement petition forms available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch or the district court self-help center.
File the petition with the St. Louis County District Court and pay the applicable filing fee (fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals).
Serve copies of the petition on all agencies that maintain records related to the arrest, including the Sheriff's Office, the BCA, and the prosecuting attorney's office.
Attend the scheduled court hearing, at which a judge will determine whether expungement is warranted.
If granted, the court issues an order directing all named agencies to seal their records within a specified timeframe.

St. Louis County District Court — Duluth 100 North 5th Avenue West, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 726-2460 St. Louis County District Court – Duluth

What Happens After Arrest in St. Louis County?

The criminal justice process in St. Louis County follows a defined sequence of steps from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the St. Louis County Jail, where booking procedures are completed. This includes recording personal information, photographing, fingerprinting, and entering the individual into the jail management system.
Initial Appearance: Within 36 hours of a custodial arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), the individual must appear before a judge for an initial hearing. At this stage, the court reviews the charges, advises the defendant of their rights, and determines conditions of release or bail.
Charging Decision: The St. Louis County Attorney's Office reviews the arrest report and evidence to determine whether to file formal criminal charges. The prosecutor may file charges, decline to prosecute, or refer the matter for diversion.
Arraignment: If charges are filed, the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: The case proceeds through discovery, pre-trial motions, and, where applicable, plea negotiations.
Trial or Plea: The matter is resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a trial before a judge or jury.
Sentencing: Upon a finding or plea of guilt, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
Post-Conviction: The defendant may pursue appeals, sentence modifications, or, where eligible, expungement of the record.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in St. Louis County?

Arrest records in St. Louis County are subject to retention schedules established under Minnesota law and applicable administrative rules. Under current law, law enforcement agencies are required to retain records in accordance with the General Records Retention Schedule for Minnesota Government Entities, as administered by the Minnesota State Archives.

Felony arrest records are generally retained permanently or for extended periods, given the severity of the underlying offense and the ongoing public safety interest.
Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor arrest records are typically retained for a minimum period following case closure, often ranging from seven to ten years depending on the agency and the nature of the offense.
Records for arrests that did not result in charges may be subject to shorter retention periods, though they are not automatically destroyed.
Court records associated with criminal cases are maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch under its own retention schedule, which may differ from law enforcement agency schedules.
Different agencies — including the Sheriff's Office, the BCA, and the district court — maintain separate record sets and apply their own retention requirements in accordance with state directives.

Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Members of the public seeking information about specific retention periods may submit a public data request to the relevant agency.

How to Find Mugshots in St. Louis County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, formally referred to as booking photographs, are images taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody following an arrest. These photographs are part of the official booking record and are maintained by the detaining facility.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In St. Louis County, booking photographs are maintained by the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, which operates the county jail. The Records Division retains these images as part of the arrest and booking file associated with each individual.

Finding Mugshots

Members of the public may request booking photographs through the Sheriff's Office Records Division by submitting a public data request. Requestors should provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of arrest to facilitate retrieval.

Can They Be Found Online

At present, St. Louis County does not publish booking photographs as part of its online jail roster. The jail roster provides current inmate information but does not include photographs in its publicly accessible online format. Third-party websites may republish mugshots obtained from public records, though the county does not endorse or maintain such sites.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

Official requests for booking photographs must be directed to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests may be submitted in person or in writing. A per-record or per-page fee may apply in accordance with the fee schedule authorized under state law.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Booking photographs for juveniles are classified as private data under Minnesota law and are not available to the general public. Additionally, if a court has granted an expungement order covering an arrest, the associated booking photograph may be sealed along with other records pertaining to that arrest.