Minnesota Warrant Search

A Minnesota warrant search allows individuals to look up warrants issued by courts in the state against persons for crimes or other offenses. Private individuals, law enforcement, and others typically conduct search warrants to determine if someone is named on an active or outstanding warrant. This may be to satisfy a personal curiosity, as part of an investigation, or for criminal history checks.

Warrant searches in the state are conducted locally through the county courthouse clerk’s office or the local sheriff’s office in the jurisdiction where a warrant was issued. Generally, people searching for warrant information in the state can expect to find information about the judge or court that issued the warrant, the date the warrant was issued, the identity of the person named on the warrant, and the reason the warrant was issued. A warrant search can also show if someone is wanted for a crime or ignoring a court order.

What is a Warrant in Minnesota?

A warrant is a written order issued by a court upon request by law enforcement agents, authorizing them to take actions that would otherwise be unconstitutional, e.g., arresting an individual or searching private property.

Different types of warrants are issued by courts in Minnesota, with the most common being arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants. The requirements for issuing warrants in the state are enshrined in the Minnesota Statutes (Sections 626 & 629). Additionally, the United States Constitution's Fourth Amendment also establishes requirements that must be met before courts can issue warrants. According to the law, a court can only issue a warrant if probable cause is established through evidence. Upon examining the evidence and finding it sufficient, the court will issue the requested warrant.

Are Warrants Public Record in Minnesota?

Yes. Warrants are considered public records in Minnesota under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) and Min. Stat. 13.82. Therefore, individuals have the right to inspect warrant records kept by the state's law enforcement agencies and courts unless the data is classified as confidential or private under the statute. For instance, per Sec. 13.82(19) of the Minnesota statutes, data in arrest warrant indices may be deemed confidential until the person named on the warrant is arrested and taken into custody or appears before the court.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Minnesota?

Members of the public who want to look up warrants in Minnesota can use the services of third-party aggregator sites that centralize and hold nationwide warrant records. To run a warrant check on these aggregate portals, searchers generally need the subject’s full name. Additional location filters like state, county, or city may also be required to narrow down the search.

Third-party aggregator sites may allow free searches. However, in most cases, free queries only return limited warrant information. Users may need to pay a fee to obtain full warrant reports. Standard fees on aggregator sites range from $1 to $30, depending on the site. First-time users may access promotional deals such as free trial periods before committing to fees, which vary per website. These fees may be one-time payments or monthly subscriptions.

Despite the convenience, ease, and faster access third-party aggregator sites offer for accessing warrant information across multiple jurisdictions, there is no guarantee that their records are current or accurate, as they are unofficial sources. Therefore, users are advised to always use government resources to fact-check or verify information obtained from third-party services.

What is a Search Warrant in Minnesota?

A search warrant is a written order from a court, signed by a judge or magistrate, instructing a peace officer to conduct a search of a property or premises and seize any evidence related to a crime (Min. Stat. 626.05 (1)). Per Section 626.06 of the state’s statute, only courts with probate jurisdiction can issue search warrants in Minnesota. Other laws that govern the issuance and execution of search warrants by courts in the state are found in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 626.

Are Search Warrants Public Records in Minnesota?

It depends. Search warrants in Minnesota are confidential until the warrant is executed or returned (Sec. 13.82(19) of the Minnesota statutes).

How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in Minnesota?

It depends. No strict deadlines or time limits exist for a court to issue a search warrant in Minnesota. According to Section 626.11 of the state’s statute, a judge shall only issue a search warrant if there is probable cause to issue the warrant. The process of reviewing probable cause may take a few minutes to several days, depending on the strength of the evidence presented.

How Long Does a Search Warrant Last?

Ten days. Per Section 626.15 of the state’s statute, a search warrant issued in Minnesota must be executed and returned to the court within ten days of issue. The warrant becomes void if it is not executed after this period elapses. However, the validity period for a search warrant on a financial institution is thirty days, with room for extension, provided the criteria cited in the law are met.

What is a Bench Warrant in Minnesota?

A bench warrant in Minnesota is a written order issued by the court directing law enforcement agents to arrest and bring a person before the court. Bench warrants are typically issued against persons for disobeying a court order, failing to appear before the court, failing to pay a fine, or violating the court’s pre-release conditions. Unlike search warrants, a bench warrant in Minnesota has indefinite validity. It is valid until the person named on the warrant is arrested and brought before the court.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Minnesota?

An arrest warrant in Minnesota is a judicial order signed by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement officers to apprehend and take a person into custody. The Minnesota Court Rules of Criminal Procedure outline the guidelines and requirements surrounding the issuance of arrest warrants in the state.

According to subd. 1. of the Minnesota Court Rules of Criminal Procedure, an arrest warrant must be signed by the issuing judge and must contain the name or description of the person for whom the warrant is issued. The warrant must also contain the offense the person is charged with. Furthermore, the warrant must state the bail amount and conditions.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Minnesota

Individuals may contact or visit the local sheriff’s office in person to check whether they or a person of interest is named on an active or outstanding warrant. Similarly, individuals may visit the county courthouse clerk’s office to check if a warrant against them or somebody of interest exists. Note that with in-person requests, inquirers face the risk of being arrested if they are named on an active warrant.

Alternatively, warrant information seekers may request warrant information by mail from their local sheriff’s office or county courthouse clerk. Most sheriff's offices and courthouses in the state have their contact email information on their official websites for public record requests by the public. Furthermore, individuals may contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension by mail to request criminal background records, which may include warrant information. Fees may apply.

Can You Check Warrants Online in Minnesota?

Yes. Individuals may use the Minnesota case search portal, Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), to look up information on warrants issued within the state. Alternatively, individuals may check the daily Minnesota active warrant listing webpage. Another way to find warrant information is to conduct a criminal background check through the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search portal.

Furthermore, individuals may check the websites of some sheriff’s offices and county courthouses to find warrant information. For example, the active felony warrants and active misdemeanor warrants pages of the Saint Louis County Sheriff's Office and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office online warrant search tool. Generally, users need the first and last name of the person of interest to conduct a warrant search.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

Free options for finding warrants in Minnesota are described below.

• Visit the local sheriff's office
• Visit the county courthouse court clerk's office
• Search the state’s case information portal, MCRO
• Check for names of interests on the daily Minnesota active warrant list
• Search with services provided on the official websites of local sheriff’s offices or county courthouses.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in Minnesota

Individuals can find out if someone has a warrant online for free in Minnesota by conducting warrant searches with the subject’s full name on the MCRO portal or the Minnesota active warrant listing. It is also possible to use the lookup services provided on the websites of local sheriff’s offices, where available. While these platforms are free to use without any limitation, warrant information classified as private or confidential will not be available for public access.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Minnesota?

It depends. Apart from a search warrant that is valid for ten days after the date it was issued, other types of warrants in Minnesota do not expire. They remain active until the person named on them resolves them or the court recalls or cancels them.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

There is no way for an individual to independently verify if there is a federal warrant against them. Typically, people only discover a federal warrant for their arrest when apprehended by federal agents. This is because federal warrants are kept confidential in the U.S. Marshals' Warrant Information Network (WIN) database, which is unavailable to the public. As a result, individuals often do not know if there is an outstanding federal warrant in their name.

However, some options exist to potentially find out, such as hiring a federal criminal defense lawyer with professional relationships with federal agencies. Additionally, individuals can check federal most wanted lists; if a name appears, there is an active federal warrant for that person.