St. Cloud Felony Records
St. Cloud felony records are processed through the Stearns County District Court in the 7th Judicial District. St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County in central Minnesota, and all felony cases from the city go to the county attorney for prosecution. The St. Cloud Police Department keeps arrest reports and incident data, but court files live at the county courthouse. You can search felony records online through free state databases, contact the police for arrest data, or visit the Stearns County courthouse for full case file access. This page covers every way to find and access St. Cloud felony records.
St. Cloud Overview
Stearns County Court and St. Cloud Felonies
St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County. The Stearns County District Court is at 725 Courthouse Square in St. Cloud. You can call the court at (320) 656-3620 for case questions. All felony cases from St. Cloud go through this courthouse. The county attorney files charges and handles prosecution.
You can search court records online through Minnesota Court Records Online. MCRO covers all 87 Minnesota counties including Stearns. Search by name or case number. It shows charges, docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Criminal cases only appear after conviction. For pre-conviction data, go to the courthouse and use the public access terminals. Those show the full electronic file.
| Court | Stearns County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 |
| Phone | (320) 656-3620 |
| Judicial District | 7th Judicial District |
St. Cloud Police Felony Records
The St. Cloud Police Department handles arrest reports and incident data for city cases. Call (320) 251-1200 for records. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, arrest data is public. Active investigations remain private until closed.
St. Cloud police make the arrest, but the felony case transfers to the county for prosecution. The police report stays at the city level. The court record lives at the Stearns County courthouse. If you need both, you request them from separate offices.
Under Minnesota Statute 609.02, a felony in Minnesota is any crime with a possible sentence of more than one year. When St. Cloud police book someone on a felony charge, they create the arrest report, booking record, and supplemental investigation notes. The Stearns County Attorney then reviews the case. Once charges are filed, the court creates its own file at the Stearns County courthouse with the complaint, docket entries, motions, and sentencing records. The police data stays with the city.
Minnesota law gives you the right to view public government data. Under Minnesota Statute 13.03, the St. Cloud Police Department must respond to data requests in a reasonable time. If the department denies your request, it must cite the specific statute that makes the data private. You can challenge a denial through the state. Stearns County follows the same data access rules for court records.
The St. Cloud city website links to police, public safety, and city services.
How to Search St. Cloud Felony Records
The BCA Criminal History Search is free and shows public conviction data for the past 15 years. It covers all Minnesota cases, including St. Cloud. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, older conviction data becomes private. The search lists the offense, court, date, and sentence.
The Stearns County inmate and warrant search page explains how to look up current inmates and active warrants. The Stearns County Sheriff at (320) 251-4240 handles jail records and warrant info. The sheriff's office website has contact details and links to jail data.
The DOC Offender Locator covers inmates under state corrections since 1979. It shows facility, status, and release info.
The BCA and MCRO pull from different databases. The BCA covers statewide conviction records. MCRO shows case-level details for Stearns County courts. Checking both gives you a more complete picture of any St. Cloud felony case. Older cases that predate the online systems may only be available through a direct request to the court at (320) 656-3620 or by visiting the courthouse.
St. Cloud is the largest city in Stearns County, and the court handles a high volume of felony cases from the city and surrounding areas. The Stearns County jail holds inmates from all cities in the county. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the sheriff keeps detailed records on every person booked in. Those jail records are public data under the Government Data Practices Act.
St. Cloud Felony Record Retention
Under Minnesota Statute 138.17, felony case files are kept for 50 years after closure. Murder files are permanent. Old St. Cloud felony cases may still be on file at the Stearns County courthouse or with the BCA. The BCA has maintained records since 1986. Contact the Stearns County District Court at (320) 656-3620 to ask about older case files.
The Minnesota VINE system lets victims track offender custody in Stearns County or anywhere in the state. You get alerts when an inmate is released or transferred. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the Stearns County Sheriff must keep records on every jail booking. Those records are public under the Data Practices Act.
St. Cloud Felony Expungement
Minnesota's Clean Slate Act took effect January 1, 2025. Under Minnesota Statute 609A.015, some felonies qualify for automatic expungement five years after discharge. The BCA reviews eligible records and seals them without a petition. Violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded.
If your case does not qualify automatically, petition the Stearns County District Court. The Help Seal My Record website 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 after closure. Murder files are permanent. The Minnesota VINE system lets victims track custody status statewide.
Stearns County Felony Records
St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County. All felony cases go through the 7th Judicial District court. The county page has more on the sheriff, jail, warrants, and court records.