Apple Valley Felony Records
Apple Valley felony records are processed through the Dakota County District Court in the 1st Judicial District. Apple Valley sits in Dakota County in the south metro, and all felony cases from the city go to the county attorney for prosecution. The Apple Valley Police Department keeps arrest and incident data at the city level, but court files live at the county courthouse. Dakota County has a court location right in Apple Valley, which makes it easy to access records. You can also search felony case data online for free. This page covers every tool and office for finding Apple Valley felony records.
Apple Valley Overview
Dakota County Court and Apple Valley Felonies
Apple Valley is in Dakota County. All felony cases from the city go to the Dakota County District Court. The county has three court locations, and the Western Service Center is right in Apple Valley at 14955 Galaxie Avenue West. Call (952) 891-7256 for case questions at that location. The main Judicial Center is in Hastings at 1560 Highway 55.
Court records are searchable through Minnesota Court Records Online. MCRO lets you search by name or case number. It shows charges, case status, and docket entries. Criminal cases appear only after conviction. Public access terminals at the courthouse show the full electronic file including pre-conviction data.
The Dakota County criminal complaint search lets you look up complaints filed in the county. The inmate search tool shows who is currently in the county jail.
| Court | Dakota County District Court - Western Service Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 14955 Galaxie Ave W, Apple Valley, MN 55124 |
| Phone | (952) 891-7256 |
| Judicial District | 1st Judicial District |
Apple Valley Police Felony Records
The Apple Valley Police Department handles arrest reports and incident data. Call (952) 953-2700 for records. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, arrest data is public. Active investigations stay private. The department processes data requests under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act.
Apple Valley police arrest on felony charges, but the case goes to the Dakota County Attorney from there. The police report stays at the city level. The court record goes to the county. You contact each office separately if you need both.
When someone is arrested in Apple Valley on a felony charge, the police write up the arrest report and forward the case to the county attorney. Under Minnesota Statute 609.02, a felony is any crime with a possible sentence of more than one year. The county attorney then decides whether to file charges in Dakota County District Court. Once charges are filed, the case gets a court file number and all future records sit at the county level. Apple Valley police keep the original arrest report, booking data, and any supplemental reports from the investigation. Both sets of records are public once the case is closed, but you have to ask for them from separate offices.
Minnesota law gives everyone the right to look at public data held by government agencies. Under Minnesota Statute 13.03, you can ask the Apple Valley Police Department or Dakota County for any data that is classified as public. The city must respond within a reasonable time. If they deny your request, they have to cite the specific law that makes the data private. You can appeal a denial to the Minnesota Office of the Data Practices Commissioner.
The Apple Valley city website links to police and city services.
Search Apple Valley Felony Records Online
The BCA Criminal History Search is free and covers all of Minnesota. It shows public conviction data for the past 15 years. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, older data becomes private. The search lists the offense, court, date, and sentence.
The DOC Offender Locator covers inmates under state corrections since 1979. Dakota County's jail has 263 beds and is in Hastings. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the sheriff keeps records on every person booked in. The inmate search is the fastest way to check who is currently in custody.
The BCA search pulls from the state criminal history database. MCRO pulls from the court system. They are separate databases with different data. The BCA shows convictions statewide. MCRO shows case details for a specific county. Checking both gives you a more complete view of any Apple Valley felony case. The BCA has kept criminal history data since 1986, so older records may only be available through a direct request to the court administrator.
Apple Valley Felony Record Retention
Under Minnesota Statute 138.17, felony case files are kept for 50 years after closure. Murder files are permanent. Old Apple Valley felony cases may still be on file at the Dakota County courthouse or with the BCA. The BCA has maintained records since 1986. Contact the court administrator at (651) 377-7180 if you need an older record.
The Minnesota VINE system lets crime victims track offender custody status. Alerts go out when an inmate is released or moved. This free service covers all of Minnesota, including Dakota County.
Apple Valley Felony Expungement
Minnesota's Clean Slate Act went into effect January 1, 2025. Under Minnesota Statute 609A.015, some felonies qualify for automatic sealing five years after discharge. The BCA reviews eligible records. Violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded.
If your case does not qualify automatically, petition through the Dakota County District Court. The Western Service Center in Apple Valley can handle expungement filings. The Help Seal My Record site has free eligibility tools. Forms are at mncourts.gov. Legal aid through LawHelpMN is available. Under Minnesota Statute 138.17, felony records are kept for 50 years. The Minnesota VINE system lets victims track offender custody status.
Dakota County Felony Records
Apple Valley is in Dakota County. All felony cases go through the 1st Judicial District court. The county page has more on the sheriff, jail, inmate search, and court records.
Nearby Cities With Felony Records
These cities are near Apple Valley in Dakota County.