Clearwater County Felony Records

Clearwater County felony records are held at the District Court in Bagley and by the Sheriff's Office. The county is in northwestern Minnesota and falls under the 9th Judicial District. Bagley is the county seat. It is a small, rural county with a low population. All felony cases go through the courthouse in Bagley. You can search for criminal case records online through state databases or get in touch with the local offices by phone. This page covers the tools and agencies that handle felony records in Clearwater County.

Clearwater County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office serves as the main law enforcement agency in Clearwater County. It runs the jail and keeps booking records for all arrests. Felony bookings include the person's name, charges, and arrest date. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the sheriff must maintain a log of everyone held in the jail. These records are public data.

Clearwater County includes part of the White Earth Nation reservation. Jurisdiction over criminal cases on tribal land can vary. Some felonies may go through tribal court or federal court rather than the state system. If you are looking for a case and cannot find it in the county records, it may have been handled in another jurisdiction. Call the sheriff at (218) 694-6235 for help with a specific case.

Search Clearwater County Felony Records

The Minnesota Court Records Online system covers the Clearwater County District Court. Search by name or case number. Results show charges, case status, and docket entries. Criminal cases only show after a conviction. For pending cases, visit the courthouse in Bagley.

The BCA Criminal History Search tracks felony convictions across the state. It is free and covers all 87 counties. Public data is available for 15 years after the sentence ends. Search by name and the results list the offense, court, and sentence details. The BCA system is separate from the court records. It pulls from the state's central criminal history repository and covers arrests and convictions reported by law enforcement agencies throughout Minnesota. If you want a broader picture beyond just court filings, this is the tool to use.

You can also call the court at (218) 694-6166. Staff can look up cases and provide copies. The courthouse public access terminal shows more data than the online system. Clearwater County is a low-volume court, so wait times tend to be short.

Another resource is the Minnesota Public Access Remote system. This paid service gives law firms and research companies deeper access to court records. Most people do not need it for a simple felony lookup, but it is available if you need bulk data or advanced search features.

Felony Cases in Clearwater County

The 9th Judicial District Court handles all felony cases in Clearwater County. Under Minnesota Statute 609.02, a felony is any crime punishable by one year or more in prison. Drug charges, assault, and property crimes are among the most common filings. Each case creates a file with the complaint, bail order, and sentencing documents.

Court records are public under Section 13.82. Juvenile cases, sealed records, and active investigation data are restricted. Once charges are filed and a case goes through the court, the documents are open for anyone to view. You do not have to be a party to the case. Felony files are kept for 50 years under Section 138.17. Murder records are permanent. Even old cases from Clearwater County can often be found at the courthouse.

Under Section 13.87, criminal history data held by the BCA follows its own set of rules. Some of that data is public and some is private. The classification depends on the type of data and how much time has passed since the conviction or sentence.

Expungement in Clearwater County

Minnesota's Clean Slate Act allows automatic felony record sealing starting January 1, 2025. Under Section 609A.015, the BCA reviews eligible records and seals them without the person filing anything. The wait is five years after the sentence is fully discharged. Violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded.

For records that do not qualify automatically, you can petition the Clearwater County District Court. Free forms are at mncourts.gov. Help Seal My Record has guides. LawHelpMN connects you with legal aid in northwestern Minnesota.

Clearwater County Records Tools

The BCA Criminal History Search is the main statewide tool for felony conviction lookups. It covers Clearwater County.

Results show the offense, conviction date, court, and sentence. The tool is free and needs no account.

The DOC Offender Locator tracks people under state corrections supervision. The VINE system provides victim custody alerts.

Clearwater County Legal Resources

Legal Aid Service of Northwestern Minnesota covers Clearwater County. They assist with expungement petitions, criminal record questions, and other legal issues for people who qualify based on income. LawHelpMN has forms and legal guides. The Minnesota Judicial Branch site explains case record access from any court in the state. Court staff in Bagley can help with forms but cannot give legal advice. If you need a lawyer, the Minnesota State Bar Association offers a referral service that can match you with an attorney in northwestern Minnesota.

Cities in Clearwater County

Clearwater County includes Bagley, Clearbrook, Gonvick, and Shevlin. All felony cases go through the Clearwater County District Court in Bagley. No cities qualify for a separate page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clearwater County.