Felony Records in Carver County
Carver County felony records are kept at the District Court in Chaska and the Sheriff's Office. The county is part of the Twin Cities metro area and belongs to the 1st Judicial District. Chaska is the county seat. Carver County has grown fast in recent years, with cities like Chanhassen, Waconia, and Victoria adding population. All felony cases go through the courthouse in Chaska. You can search for records online through the state's court system or reach the clerk by phone. This page explains the main ways to find and access felony records in Carver County.
Carver County Overview
Carver County Sheriff's Office
The Carver County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county and provides jail services. It processes bookings for all arrests, including those made by local city police. When someone is arrested for a felony, the booking data goes into the sheriff's records. That includes the person's name, charges, and arrest date. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the sheriff must keep detailed logs of everyone held in the jail.
Several cities in Carver County have their own police departments, including Chaska, Chanhassen, and Waconia. People arrested by city police on felony charges are taken to the county jail. So the booking data ends up at the same place regardless of which agency made the arrest. Call (952) 361-1231 to check on a booking or ask about warrants.
| Office | Carver County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Phone | (952) 361-1231 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | carvercountymn.gov |
Search Carver County Felony Records
Minnesota Court Records Online is the best starting point. The free system covers the Carver County District Court. Search by name or case number. Results show charges, case status, hearing dates, and docket entries. Criminal cases appear only after a conviction is entered. For pending or pre-conviction cases, visit the courthouse in Chaska.
The BCA Criminal History Search is another free tool. It covers felony and gross misdemeanor convictions across the entire state. Public data stays available for 15 years after the sentence is complete. You search by name and the results show the offense, court of conviction, and sentence. This tool works for Carver County and every other county in Minnesota.
In-person searches are available at the Carver County Justice Center in Chaska. The public access terminal at the courthouse provides more case data than the online system. Court staff can pull files and make copies for a per-page fee. Call (952) 361-1420 to confirm hours before you go.
Carver County Felony Court Filings
All felony cases in Carver County go through the 1st Judicial District Court. A felony under Minnesota Statute 609.02 is any crime that can lead to a prison sentence of one year or more. Drug charges, DWI with prior convictions, assault, and theft are common felony filings. Each case creates a file with the criminal complaint, bail conditions, plea agreements, and the sentencing order.
Court records are public under the Data Practices Act (Section 13.82). That means anyone can request to see a felony case file. You do not have to be a party to the case. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and active investigation data. Felony files are retained for 50 years under Section 138.17. Murder cases are kept permanently. Records from decades ago may still be on file at the courthouse.
Note: Carver County shares the 1st Judicial District with several other metro-area counties. Judges rotate between courthouses in the district.
Record Sealing in Carver County
The Clean Slate Act went into effect on January 1, 2025. Under Section 609A.015, the BCA can automatically seal felony records five years after the sentence is fully discharged. The process does not cover violent crimes or offenses that require sex offender registration. The BCA handles the review without the person needing to file anything.
If a felony is not eligible for automatic sealing, you can petition the Carver County District Court. The petition process under Section 609A.02 applies to drug offenses, certain fraud crimes, and other qualifying charges. A judge reviews the case and decides at a hearing. Free forms are at mncourts.gov. Help Seal My Record has a step-by-step guide. LawHelpMN can connect you with a legal aid provider.
Carver County Criminal Records Tools
The BCA Criminal History Search is the statewide database for felony conviction data. It covers Carver County and all other Minnesota counties.
Search results list the offense, conviction date, sentencing court, and sentence. The tool is free and open to the public.
The DOC Offender Locator shows people under state correctional supervision. If someone convicted of a felony in Carver County is in prison or on supervised release, they may appear here. The VINE system provides victim notification alerts for custody changes.
Legal Resources for Carver County
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and LawHelpMN serve Carver County residents. They can help with criminal record issues and expungement petitions. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website has details on how to access case records from any court. Court staff in Chaska can assist with forms and lookups but cannot offer legal advice.
Cities in Carver County
Carver County includes Chaska, Chanhassen, Waconia, Victoria, Norwood Young America, and other communities. All felony cases go through the Carver County District Court in Chaska. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a separate page.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Carver County. Check the location of the arrest to make sure you search the right county.