Brown County Public Records / Brown County Arrest Records

Brown County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Brown County in 2026

BrownCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Brown County, Minnesota. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, criminal case filings, and disposition records. Information presented reflects what government agencies have made available under applicable public records law and may not reflect the most current status of a case.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Brown County Sheriff's Office, the Brown County District Court clerk, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and arrest logs for individuals processed through the Brown County Jail. Members of the public may access current inmate rosters and recent arrest information through the Sheriff's Office website. Records are updated on a regular basis and include the arrestee's name, charges, booking date, and custody status.

2. Local Police Departments

The New Ulm Police Department serves as the primary municipal law enforcement agency within Brown County. Arrest information originating from city police activity may be reflected in press releases and public incident logs published by the department. Members of the public may contact the New Ulm Police Department directly to inquire about arrest records within city jurisdiction.

New Ulm Police Department
15 North Broadway
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 354-2111
New Ulm Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court case filings accessible through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system. Members of the public may search by an arrestee's name to locate associated criminal case filings, charge information, and hearing dates. The MCRO system provides access to public case records and documents available at public access terminals located at the Brown County Courthouse.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains a statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a request for a criminal history record through the BCA's criminal history search portal. A fee of $15.00 per subject applies to public requests. The repository includes arrest and conviction data submitted by law enforcement agencies statewide.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
Brown County Sheriff's Office
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6600
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Brown County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Copy fees apply per page as described in the fees section below.

Clerk of Court:
Brown County District Court – Clerk of Court
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6670
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Brown County District Court

By Mail:

Written requests submitted by mail to the Brown County Sheriff's Office should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's return contact information. Payment for copies must accompany the request. Processing time varies and is subject to the volume of pending requests.

By Phone:

Brown County Sheriff's Office: (507) 233-6600
Brown County District Court Clerk: (507) 233-6670
Information available by phone is limited; requestors may be directed to the online system or an in-person visit for detailed records.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may obtain arrest records through formal discovery in criminal proceedings. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available to the general public. Detailed investigative materials, including police reports and witness statements, are accessible through the discovery process in active litigation.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, New Ulm Police, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Brown County

Arrest records in Brown County are public records under Minnesota law. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to make arrest data available to the public, including the subject's name, date of birth, charges, and the time and location of arrest. This statutory framework reflects the state's commitment to government transparency, public safety awareness, and accountability in law enforcement.

As the Minnesota Department of Administration has noted, "Government data on individuals collected because the individual is or was an employee of or an applicant for employment by a government entity, or because the individual was arrested, is public to the extent provided by law." Arrest records serve purposes including journalism and research, background screening, legal proceedings, and community awareness.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain case types
Witness protection participants

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers and landlords using arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Minnesota has enacted additional protections limiting the use of arrest records that did not result in conviction in certain employment contexts.

What's in Brown County Arrest Records

Brown County arrest records contain a standardized set of information collected at the time of booking and during the associated court process.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date, time, and booking number
Warrant information if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
Charge classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations where applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount and bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time if released
Release conditions if public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected or investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and are subject to separate access rules
Court records: Document legal proceedings following arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
Background checks: Comprehensive screenings drawing from multiple sources

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Brown County?

Members of the public may inspect public arrest records at the Brown County Sheriff's Office or the Brown County District Court clerk's office at no charge. Fees apply when copies are requested.

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copies (court records)	$14.00 per document
BCA criminal history search (public)	$15.00 per subject
Electronic records (where available)	Varies by request

Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court include cash, check, and money order made payable to the respective agency. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, governs the fees that government entities may charge for public records and limits charges to the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying data.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where the request serves a demonstrable public interest. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver to the applicable agency.

Inspection of records at public access terminals located at the Brown County Courthouse is available at no cost during regular business hours.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Brown County

Under Minnesota law, the process for removing arrest records from public access is referred to as expungement. Expungement may result in either the sealing of records (restricting public access while retaining the record within law enforcement systems) or, in certain circumstances, the physical destruction of records. The distinction is significant: sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies, while destroyed records are eliminated from the applicable repository.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Minnesota's expungement statute, Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02, sets forth the circumstances under which a person may petition for expungement of criminal records. Eligible circumstances include:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Cases where the prosecutor declined to file charges
Completion of a diversion program resulting in dismissal
Certain misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
Certain felony convictions after a waiting period, depending on the offense

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the criminal record from the BCA and the court to confirm the record sought to be expunged.
Complete the petition for expungement using forms available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
File the petition with the Brown County District Court clerk and pay the applicable filing fee.
Serve copies of the petition on all agencies that have records related to the arrest, including the Sheriff's Office, BCA, and any other law enforcement agency involved.
Attend the scheduled expungement hearing before a district court judge.
If the petition is granted, the court issues an order directing all named agencies to seal or destroy their records within 60 days.

Contact for Expungement Assistance:

Brown County District Court – Clerk of Court
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6670
Access Case Records – Minnesota Judicial Branch

Minnesota State Public Defender's Office
540 Fairview Avenue North, Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651) 296-4812
Minnesota State Public Defender

What Happens After Arrest in Brown County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Brown County, the arrested individual is transported to the Brown County Jail located at 14 South State Street, New Ulm, MN 56073. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the jail, the booking process is initiated. This process includes:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to the BCA
Criminal history and outstanding warrants check
Personal property inventoried and stored
Medical and brief mental health screening
Housing classification determination

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Minnesota law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge or judicial officer without unnecessary delay, and no later than 36 hours after arrest (excluding weekends and holidays) if held in custody. At the first appearance:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for those who qualify
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are reviewed

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash and is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set by state regulation.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear, based on community ties, employment, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.

No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, or immigration holds.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes place within the jail. The individual receives a court date, written conditions of release, and the return of personal property. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a warrant.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Brown County Public Defender's Office
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6682
Minnesota State Public Defender

Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. Individuals who do not qualify may retain private counsel. Attorney visits at the jail are confidential.

Charging Decision:

The Brown County Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, or decline prosecution. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Brown County Attorney's Office
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6622
Brown County Attorney

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally informed of the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are set for pretrial proceedings.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, and pretrial conferences. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence, including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio or video recordings. Pretrial motions may address suppression of evidence, dismissal of charges, or other legal issues.

Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs (such as drug court or mental health court), plea agreements, or trial. If convicted at trial or by plea, sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or treatment programming.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 36 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)
First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks depending on charge severity
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months
Felonies: May extend six months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Minnesota and United States Constitutions

Important Contacts:

Brown County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6600
Brown County Sheriff's Office

Brown County District Court – Clerk of Court
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6670
Brown County District Court

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case until counsel is present
Do not discuss the case with other inmates, family, or friends
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Brown County?

Records retention in Brown County is governed by Minnesota state law and the policies of the Minnesota State Archives. The Minnesota Government Records Retention Schedule establishes minimum retention periods for government records, including law enforcement and court records.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, BCA, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the subject's permanent criminal history

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the BCA and court records systems
Local law enforcement records retained for a minimum of seven years

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement: Minimum seven years
Court records: Often retained permanently unless expunged
BCA repository: Retained unless expungement order received

Acquittals (Not Guilty Verdicts):

Court records: Retained permanently unless expunged
Local law enforcement: Minimum seven years
May be sealed or expunged upon petition

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records: Minimum three to seven years depending on agency policy
May be eligible for expungement upon petition

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Digital records management systems: Often retained permanently
Physical booking paperwork: Retained per applicable schedule, then destroyed or archived
Mugshot databases: Retention varies by agency and third-party platform
Court electronic records: Retained permanently in the Minnesota court system

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention and expungement obligations as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but expungement orders issued by Minnesota courts do not automatically compel removal from private databases.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in all government databases
Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; may not appear on standard background checks
Expungement: Government agencies seal or destroy records per court order; FBI database may retain with a notation; removal from third-party sites requires separate action
No charges filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after the applicable retention period

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for a period of seven years for positions paying below a certain salary threshold, with no time limit for higher-paying positions. Minnesota law provides additional protections limiting the use of arrest records that did not result in conviction in employment decisions. Convictions may be reported indefinitely under federal law.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Brown County Sheriff's Records Division at (507) 233-6600 or submit a written public records request to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.