Access Benton County Felony Records

Benton County felony records are on file at the District Court in Foley and through the Sheriff's Office. The county sits in central Minnesota, just south of St. Cloud, and is part of the 7th Judicial District. You can search court records online for free or contact the courthouse by phone. The Sheriff's Office handles arrests and runs the county jail, so booking data starts there. This page explains the main tools and offices that store felony records in Benton County and how you can get to them.

Benton County Sheriff's Office

The Benton County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. It runs the jail in Foley and keeps booking records for all arrests. When someone is brought in on a felony charge, the sheriff's staff logs their name, date of birth, charges, and arrest date. Jail records are public data. You can call the office at (320) 968-7201 to ask about recent bookings or to check if someone is currently in custody.

The office patrols unincorporated areas and smaller towns within Benton County. Sauk Rapids, the largest city in the county, has its own police department, but felony cases from there still go through the county court system. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the sheriff must keep a detailed log of everyone held in the county jail.

How to Look Up Benton County Felony Records

Minnesota Court Records Online is the free state tool for searching court cases. It covers the Benton County District Court. You can search by name or case number and the results show charges, case status, and docket entries. Criminal cases only appear after a conviction is entered. If you need pre-conviction information, go to the courthouse in Foley and use the public access terminal.

The BCA Criminal History Search is another way to look up felony records. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension keeps a statewide database of arrest and conviction data. Public conviction records stay available for 15 years after the sentence ends. You search by name for free. The results cover felony, gross misdemeanor, and some misdemeanor offenses from all Minnesota counties, including Benton.

To search in person, visit the Benton County Courthouse in Foley. Court staff can pull up case files and make copies. Call (320) 968-5205 to check office hours. Copies cost a small fee per page.

Benton County Court Felony Records

The 7th Judicial District Court handles felony cases in Benton County. Under Minnesota Statute 609.02, a felony is any crime that can lead to one year or more of prison time. Drug offenses, assault, theft, and burglary are common felony charges in the county. Each case generates a file with the criminal complaint, bail order, plea documents, and sentencing details.

These records are public under Section 13.82 of the Data Practices Act. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and active investigation files are the main exceptions. Once charges are filed and the case moves through court, the documents are open for review by anyone. Felony case files stay on record for 50 years under Section 138.17. Homicide cases are kept permanently.

The BCA's criminal history system follows its own data classification under Section 13.87. Public conviction data remains on the BCA site for 15 years after the sentence ends. After that, the data moves to private status. Court records at the Benton County courthouse, though, remain available for the full 50-year retention window. If you need an older record, the courthouse is the better option.

Felony Record Sealing in Benton County

The Clean Slate Act went into effect on January 1, 2025. It allows the BCA to automatically seal certain felony records under Minnesota Statute 609A.015. The waiting period for felonies is five years after the sentence is fully done. Violent crimes and offenses that require sex offender registration are excluded.

If your felony does not qualify for automatic sealing, you can file a petition with the Benton County District Court. The petition-based process applies to controlled substance offenses, some fraud charges, and other eligible crimes. You file the forms, serve the county attorney, and go to a hearing. The judge reviews the facts and decides whether sealing the record is in the public interest. Free forms are at mncourts.gov.

Help Seal My Record walks you through the steps. LawHelpMN can connect you with legal aid if you need help.

Benton County Criminal Records Tools

The statewide BCA Criminal History Search covers felony convictions in Benton County and all other Minnesota counties.

This tool shows the offense, conviction date, court, and sentence for each record. It is free and open to the public.

The DOC Offender Locator tracks individuals under state corrections supervision. The VINE system sends custody change alerts to victims. Both tools cover Benton County.

Legal Help in Benton County

Central Minnesota Legal Services and LawHelpMN serve Benton County. They can help with expungement petitions and other criminal record issues. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website has information on how to access case records. Court staff in Foley can assist with forms and lookups but cannot provide legal advice.

Cities in Benton County

Benton County includes Foley, Sauk Rapids, Rice, Gilman, and several other communities. All felony cases go through the Benton County District Court in Foley. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a separate page.

Nearby Counties

Benton County shares borders with these counties. Make sure you search the right county based on where the arrest happened.