Brown County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Brown County in 2026
BrownCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records in Brown County, Minnesota. Members of the public seeking criminal record data may find information pertaining to the following categories:
- Arrest records and booking logs
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Active warrants and outstanding charges
- Conviction records and sentencing information
- Jail roster and inmate status
- Sex offender registration data
- Misdemeanor and felony case histories
Records may be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which criminal record information is currently accessible.
1. County Court Records
The Brown County District Court maintains case files, charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing records for all criminal matters adjudicated within the county.
Brown County District Court
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6671
Brown County District Court – Minnesota Judicial Branch
Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the courthouse clerk's window during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available within the courthouse for self-service case lookups.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current jail roster information.
Brown County Sheriff's Office
14 South State Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6600
Brown County Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or by written submission. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with Minnesota Statute § 13.03, which governs the cost of reproducing government data. The Sheriff's Office also publishes an active Web Warrant List identifying individuals with outstanding warrants in the county.
3. Online Court Search
The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), which provides remote access to many public district court records statewide, including those from Brown County. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. Certain record types, including sealed cases and records involving juveniles, are not accessible through this portal. Registration may be required for expanded access to case documents.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Minnesota BCA Criminal History
Formal background check requests submitted to the BCA require fingerprint submission for identity verification. Processing times and fees vary depending on the request type. At present, the standard fee for a public criminal history check is $15.00 per subject.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted by mail to the Brown County District Court Administrator or the Brown County Sheriff's Office at 14 South State Street, New Ulm, MN 56073. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Minnesota Statute § 13.04, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Brown County Criminal Record
A criminal record is the official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing all stages from initial arrest through final case disposition. In legal terms, a criminal record is created when a law enforcement agency takes a person into custody, files charges, or when a court enters a judgment in a criminal proceeding.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents the fact of a detention and any charges filed, but does not constitute evidence of guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or trial verdict. Felony records involve the most serious classifications of criminal offenses, while misdemeanor records document lesser offenses carrying shorter potential sentences. Juvenile records are treated separately under Minnesota law and are sealed from public access in most circumstances, reflecting the rehabilitative intent of the juvenile justice system.
Active warrants represent current judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to take an individual into custody, whereas historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have already been resolved.
The following agencies maintain criminal records within Brown County:
- Brown County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, booking logs, jail records
- Brown County District Court – court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension – statewide criminal history repository
- New Ulm Police Department – local arrest and incident reports
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, preliminary hearings, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, probation or parole conditions, and any modifications to those conditions.
Are Criminal Records Public In Brown County
Criminal records in Brown County are public under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statute § 13.82, which governs the classification and disclosure of law enforcement data. As stated in the statute, arrest data, criminal charges, and court dispositions pertaining to adults are classified as public government data and are accessible to any member of the public upon request.
As the Minnesota Department of Administration has noted regarding the Data Practices Act: "Government data is public unless a state or federal law says it is not public." This presumption of openness applies broadly to criminal justice records maintained by county agencies.
Public records include adult arrest records, criminal charges, court proceedings, conviction records, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. However, several categories of records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 260B.171
- Records that have been expunged by court order
- Active investigative data that, if disclosed, would compromise an ongoing investigation
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to a protective order or judicial sealing
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not governed by Minnesota's Data Practices Act. Guidance on the public nature of Minnesota government data is available through the Minnesota Department of Administration's Data Practices Office.
How To Find Criminal Records in Brown County Online
Official County Resources
The Brown County Sheriff's Office publishes a current Web Warrant List identifying individuals with active outstanding warrants. This document is updated periodically and is accessible without registration. The list includes the subject's name, warrant type, and associated charges.
The Brown County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website provides court-specific information, filing instructions, and links to case record access tools. In-person public access terminals at the courthouse allow users to search case records at no charge.
State-Level Resources
The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), a statewide portal providing online access to public district court records. Users may search by:
- Full legal name (first and last)
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Court location
The Minnesota BCA's public criminal history search tool allows members of the public to conduct name-based searches of the state's criminal history repository for a nominal fee.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies report to the same system
- Understand that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the mid-1990s are not fully digitized and may require in-person requests. Online access does not substitute for a certified official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Brown County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Minnesota law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public government data at no charge. Under Minnesota Statute § 13.03, government entities must allow inspection of public data without requiring payment. Copying fees may apply when physical reproductions are requested. Free in-person inspection is available at:
- Brown County District Court, 14 South State Street, New Ulm, MN 56073
- Brown County Sheriff's Office, 14 South State Street, New Ulm, MN 56073
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
| Resource | What It Contains | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) | Public district court case records | MCRO |
| Brown County Warrant List | Active outstanding warrants | Web Warrant List |
| Brown County District Court Page | Court information and case access | Brown County Court |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Brown County Sheriff's Office are classified as public data and may be inspected in person at no charge.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the court administrator
- Official BCA criminal history background checks: $15.00 per subject
- Staff-assisted record searches requiring significant time
- Electronic copies provided on physical media
- Expedited processing requests
What's Included in a Brown County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record contains the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of the 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 jurisdiction, filing date, specific charges and corresponding statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or case outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, probation or parole conditions, and any subsequent appeals or sentence modifications.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic-related criminal violations
- Pending charges awaiting disposition
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under Minnesota Statute § 260B.171)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records where charges were dismissed
- Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain clerical errors, outdated information, or incomplete disposition data. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may submit a correction request to the maintaining agency or petition the court for a record amendment. Accurate and complete records are essential for fair employment screening and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Brown County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Minnesota's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Minnesota Historical Society and the State Archives, govern how long county agencies must retain criminal records. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to follow these schedules, which are periodically updated.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; destruction timelines vary by offense |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Minnesota court records retention rules. The Brown County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the county's adopted retention schedule. The Minnesota BCA retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible in the relevant database.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or digital elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Minnesota law, results in the sealing of records from public view and, in some cases, their return to the petitioner. Expungement eligibility, procedures, and forms are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI under the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are retained separately from state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from Minnesota's state requirements.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain accessible on background checks indefinitely unless expunged. Employment background screening services commonly report convictions within a seven-to-ten-year window for standard checks, though professional licensing boards and certain employers may require full disclosure of all convictions regardless of age.