Search Traverse County Felony Records
Traverse County felony records can be searched through the state court system and local offices in Wheaton. This small county along the western border of Minnesota falls in the 8th Judicial District. The District Court and the Sheriff's Office both keep records tied to felony cases. You can search online for free or contact local staff to ask about a specific case. Felony case files here include charging documents, court orders, and sentencing information that the public can access under state data practices law.
Traverse County Overview
Traverse County Sheriff's Office
The Traverse County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the entire county. The Sheriff books people on felony charges and stores arrest records at the office in Wheaton. You can reach them at (320) 422-7710 to ask about arrests, warrants, or case status. The office also runs the county jail where people are held after a felony arrest.
Traverse County is one of the smallest counties in Minnesota by population. The Sheriff covers a large rural area that borders South Dakota. Because the county is small, the volume of felony cases is low compared to metro areas. But the same rules apply. Under Minnesota Statute 641.08, the Sheriff must keep detailed records of everyone booked into the jail. These records include the person's name, the charge, when they came in, and when they were released.
| Office | Traverse County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | Wheaton, MN 56296 |
| Phone | (320) 422-7710 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Traverse County Court Records
Felony cases in Traverse County are handled by the 8th Judicial District Court in Wheaton. You can search these records for free using Minnesota Court Records Online. Type in the name of the person you are looking for. The system will show case type, charges, hearing dates, and whether the case is still open or closed.
The court phone number is (320) 563-4647. You can call to ask about specific cases or to find out how to get copies of court documents. Certified copies cost more than plain copies, but they serve as official proof of what happened in a case. Walk-in visits during business hours are also an option. Staff can help you pull case files and make copies on the spot.
Traverse County felony records at the court include the criminal complaint, any plea agreements, trial records if there was a trial, and the sentencing order. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data is public. This means anyone can ask to see or get copies of felony conviction records without having to explain why they want them.
| Court | Traverse County District Court |
|---|---|
| Phone | (320) 563-4647 |
| District | 8th Judicial District |
| Online Search | Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) |
Statewide Felony Record Tools
The BCA Criminal History Search is a statewide database that covers Traverse County felony convictions. It is free to search for public data. The system shows convictions from the last 15 years along with the offense, court, date, and sentence. Older convictions or arrest-only records are classified as private and do not show up in the public search.
Minnesota defines a felony as any crime that can result in one year or more in prison. That comes from Minnesota Statute 609.02. Common felony types that show up in Traverse County include drug offenses, DWI felonies, and property crimes. The BCA pulls data from all 87 counties so Traverse County cases appear alongside records from the rest of the state.
The DOC offender locator is another useful tool. It shows people who are or were under state corrections supervision. If someone from Traverse County was sentenced to prison or placed on supervised release, they would appear in that database.
Felony Expungement in Traverse County
Some felony records in Traverse County may be eligible for expungement. Minnesota's expungement law is found in Minnesota Statute 609A. The process lets a person ask the court to seal their criminal record from public view. Not all felonies qualify. Violent crimes and certain sex offenses cannot be expunged.
The Clean Slate Act added automatic expungement for some offenses. The BCA reviews records and flags those that qualify. There is a waiting period that depends on the type of crime. For eligible felonies, the wait is generally five years after sentencing is complete. You can check helpsealmyrecord.org to learn more about who qualifies and how the process works. Legal aid groups can also help with filing a petition if automatic expungement does not apply to your case.
Note: Expunged records are sealed from most public searches but may still be visible to certain law enforcement and licensing agencies.
Public Access to Traverse County Records
Under Minnesota Statute 13.03, you have the right to look at public government data for free. That includes felony records held by Traverse County agencies. If you want copies, the agency can charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost. They should respond right away for inspections and within 10 business days for copy requests.
Felony case files in Minnesota are kept for 50 years per Minnesota Statute 138.17. Murder cases are permanent. This means that even old felony records from Traverse County may still be on file and available for public review. The court and Sheriff's Office are the two main places to check for these records in the county.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Traverse County. If you are searching for a felony case and are not sure where it was filed, check where the arrest took place.