Brown County Felony Records Lookup
Brown County felony records are on file at the District Court in New Ulm and through the Sheriff's Office. The county is located in southern Minnesota and is part of the 5th Judicial District. New Ulm is the county seat and where all felony proceedings take place. You can search for criminal case records using the state's free online tools, or you can contact the courthouse or sheriff's office by phone. This page walks through the resources, databases, and offices that hold felony records in Brown County.
Brown County Overview
Brown County Sheriff's Office
The Brown County Sheriff's Office is based in New Ulm. It handles law enforcement for the county, runs the jail, and serves warrants. Felony arrests create booking records with the person's name, charge, and arrest date. These records are public under Minnesota Statute 641.08. You can call (507) 233-6700 to ask about bookings or warrant status.
New Ulm has its own police department that covers calls within city limits. However, all felony cases from New Ulm still go through the Brown County District Court. People arrested by city police are booked at the county jail. So whether the arrest was made by the sheriff or by city police, the booking data ends up with the sheriff's office.
| Office | Brown County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Phone | (507) 233-6700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.brown.mn.us |
How to Search Brown County Felony Records
Minnesota Court Records Online is the free state system for looking up court cases. It covers the Brown County District Court. Search by name or case number to find felony cases. Results show charges, case status, and hearing dates. Criminal records only appear after a conviction is entered. For pending cases, you need to go to the courthouse in person.
The BCA Criminal History Search is another option. It covers the entire state and tracks felony and gross misdemeanor convictions. Public data is available for 15 years after the sentence is complete. The search is free and works by name. It is useful if you want to check for felony records in Brown County or across multiple counties at once.
In-person searches are available at the Brown County Courthouse in New Ulm. Court staff can look up cases, pull files, and make copies. The public access terminal at the courthouse shows more data than the online system, including pre-conviction information. Call (507) 233-6600 to confirm hours.
Brown County Felony Court Files
Felony cases in Brown County go through the 5th Judicial District Court. A felony under Minnesota Statute 609.02 is any crime that can lead to at least one year in state prison. Drug offenses, assault, burglary, and theft are among the common charges. Each case creates a court file with the complaint, bail order, plea documents, and sentencing details.
These records are public under the Data Practices Act (Section 13.82). Juvenile cases and active investigations are the main exceptions. Once charges are filed and a case moves through court, anyone can ask to see the documents. You do not need to be a party to the case. Under Section 138.17, felony records stay on file for 50 years. Homicide cases are permanent.
The BCA criminal history database follows different rules under Section 13.87. Public conviction data stays available for 15 years after the sentence is done. After that period, the data becomes private on the BCA site. Court records at the Brown County courthouse remain accessible for the full retention period, so the courthouse is the better option for older felony records.
Note: Brown County shares a judicial district with several neighboring counties. The same judges may hear cases across the district.
Expungement in Brown County
Minnesota's Clean Slate Act allows automatic sealing of some felony records starting January 1, 2025. Under Section 609A.015, the BCA reviews eligible records and seals them without a petition. Felonies need a five-year waiting period after the sentence is fully discharged. Violent crimes and sex offenses requiring registration are excluded.
For records that do not qualify automatically, you can file a petition with the Brown County District Court. The process under Section 609A.02 covers drug offenses, certain fraud charges, and other eligible felonies. Free forms are at mncourts.gov. Help Seal My Record has guides on the process. LawHelpMN connects people with legal aid providers.
Brown County Records Resources
The BCA Criminal History Search is the statewide tool that covers Brown County felony convictions along with all other counties in the state.
This tool shows the offense, conviction date, sentencing court, and sentence details for each record found. It is free for anyone to use.
The DOC Offender Locator shows people currently under state correctional supervision. The VINE system offers victim notification for custody changes across Minnesota.
Legal Resources for Brown County
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and LawHelpMN serve Brown County residents. They can help with expungement, criminal record issues, and legal questions. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has information on accessing case records. Court staff in New Ulm can help with forms but cannot give legal advice.
Cities in Brown County
Brown County includes New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Springfield, and Comfrey. All felony cases go through the Brown County District Court in New Ulm. No cities in this county qualify for a separate page.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Brown County. Check the arrest location to confirm which county holds the case file.