Find Hennepin County Felony Records
Hennepin County felony records are kept by the 4th Judicial District Court in Minneapolis. You can search them online through state databases or go to the courthouse in person. The county is home to more than 1.28 million people, which makes it the largest in Minnesota. It spans Minneapolis and many suburbs. The Hennepin County Attorney handles all adult felony cases, and the court stores all related filings, charges, and case outcomes. Several free tools let you look up felony case data from your home, and the Sheriff's Office keeps jail and booking records too.
Hennepin County Overview
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office handles jail operations and booking in Hennepin County. When someone gets arrested on a felony charge, the sheriff processes them and logs the arrest. This data becomes part of the public record. The office sits in downtown Minneapolis near the Government Center. Staff can help with records requests and point you to the right forms.
Hennepin County runs one of the busiest jails in the state. It holds people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences. The jail roster updates every hour and shows who is in custody, what charges they face, and their bail amount. You can search by name. The roster also shows people released in the last seven days. This is one of the quickest ways to check if someone has a recent felony arrest in Hennepin County.
| Office | Hennepin County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address |
350 South 5th Street, Room 6 Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
| Phone | (612) 348-3744 |
| Records | (612) 348-3991 |
| Website | hennepinsheriff.org |
The Hennepin County Sheriff also keeps arrest reports and incident logs. These are public data under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which covers law enforcement records. You can ask for copies at the office or send a written request. There may be a small per-page fee for copies.
Searching Hennepin County Felony Records
There are several ways to search for felony records in Hennepin County. Online tools give you the fastest results. The state runs two main systems that cover this county, and the County Attorney has a third one just for felony cases.
The Hennepin County Attorney felony case search is the most direct tool. It lets you look up adult felony cases filed by the County Attorney. You can search by name or case number. Results show the charges, case status, and court dates. This tool only covers felonies, not misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors.
Minnesota Court Records Online covers all case types across the state, including Hennepin County criminal filings. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows docket entries, case status, and some court documents filed after July 2015. For older felony cases, you may need to visit the courthouse. The BCA Criminal History Search is another free tool that shows conviction data going back 15 years from when a sentence was completed.
You can also visit the Records Center at the Government Center in person. Staff can pull case files and make copies. Bring a name or case number. Certified copies cost $14 each. Uncertified copies are free. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Hennepin County Felony Case Tools
The Hennepin County jail roster is a public tool that shows current inmates and recent releases. It lists charges, booking dates, and bail information for each person held in the county jail.
The roster updates roughly every hour. Keep in mind that someone may not appear right away if they are still being booked. You can search by first or last name.
The Sheriff's Office website has links to warrant checks, jail info, and a most wanted list. These resources help you find people with active felony warrants in Hennepin County.
From the Sheriff's site you can get to booking data, inmate visitation rules, and contact info for records staff.
The felony case search on the County Attorney site focuses on cases that office has filed. It covers adult felonies handled in the 4th Judicial District.
This search tool is specific to felony-level charges. It does not cover lesser offenses or cases from other counties.
Hennepin County District Court Records
The 4th Judicial District Court keeps all criminal case files for Hennepin County. This includes felony charges, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation terms. The court is the official source for case documents. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, criminal history data held by the courts follows specific rules about what stays public and what gets classified as private.
Felony case files in Minnesota are kept for 50 years after the case closes, as set by Statute 138.17. Murder cases are kept forever. This means Hennepin County has decades of felony records on file. You can get to many of these through the MCRO system or by going to the courthouse. Public access terminals at the Government Center give the most complete view of electronic case records.
Minnesota law defines a felony as any crime that can bring a sentence of one year or more in prison, per Statute 609.02. Common felony charges in Hennepin County include drug offenses, assault, theft, burglary, and weapons violations. Each case creates a record that stays on file at the court and with the BCA.
Note: MCRO only shows criminal cases where a conviction was entered when you search by name. Pre-conviction data is only available at the courthouse.
Felony Expungement in Hennepin County
Minnesota's Clean Slate Act took effect in January 2025. It allows automatic expungement of some felony records five years after the person finishes their sentence. The BCA reviews eligible records and seals them without the person having to file anything. Not all felonies qualify. Violent crimes and sex offenses that need registration are left out.
If a felony does not qualify for automatic sealing, you can still file a petition with the Hennepin County District Court. The rules are in Minnesota Statute Chapter 609A. You need to show the court that sealing the record serves justice. The County Attorney may object. A judge will decide after a hearing. Expungement forms are free at mncourts.gov.
Help Seal My Record is a free resource that walks you through the process. It tells you if your case might qualify and helps you fill out the right forms. Legal aid groups in Minneapolis can also help with expungement filings for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Hennepin County Legal Resources
Several groups in Hennepin County offer help with felony cases and criminal records. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has its main office in Minneapolis. They handle cases for people with low income, including help with expungement and record sealing. Call (612) 334-5970 to ask about their services.
Volunteer Lawyers Network runs free legal clinics in Minneapolis. They can help you understand your record and what options you have. Call (612) 752-6677 for more info. LawHelpMN has self-help guides and links to all official court forms. The VINE notification system lets crime victims track an offender's custody status in real time. You can sign up for alerts by phone, email, or text.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office handles all felony prosecutions in the county. Their site has info on how cases move through the system and what to expect if you are involved in one. Under Statute 641.08, the sheriff must keep detailed records of everyone held in the county jail.
Cities in Hennepin County
Hennepin County covers Minneapolis and many surrounding suburbs. All felony cases from these cities go through the 4th Judicial District Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Hennepin County. If you are not sure which county handles a felony case, check the address where the crime took place or where the person lives.