Ramsey County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Ramsey County
Arrest records in Ramsey County are considered public information under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies must make certain arrest data available to the public. This statute specifically classifies arrest data as "public government data" that must be accessible to any member of the public upon request.
The Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division (IPAD) provides guidance on public access to government records, including arrest records. According to IPAD interpretations, arrest records are distinguished from conviction records in several important ways:
- Arrest records document the apprehension and detention of an individual suspected of committing a crime
- Conviction records document the final judgment of guilt following legal proceedings
- Arrest records may exist without a subsequent conviction
- Under Minnesota law, arrest data remains public even if charges are later dismissed or the individual is acquitted
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records in accordance with these state statutes. While the fundamental classification of arrest records as public information is established by state law, certain limitations on disclosure may apply in specific circumstances, such as:
- Active criminal investigations
- Juvenile records (governed by separate statutes)
- Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order
- Data that would jeopardize an individual's safety
What's in Ramsey County Arrest Records
Ramsey County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Home address (may be redacted in certain public versions)
- Identifying numbers (state ID, booking number)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken during booking
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Reason for arrest and statutory authority
- Whether force was used during arrest
- Whether weapons were involved or seized
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Charge severity (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
- Charge descriptions
- Enhancement factors (if applicable)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
- Warrant status (active, served, recalled)
Booking Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where individual was processed
- Property inventory
- Medical screening notes (non-private information only)
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond conditions
- Whether bond was posted
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case/docket number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned to case
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Projected release date (if applicable)
- Housing location within detention facility
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation/parole status at time of arrest
- Immigration holds or detainers
- Special custody considerations
The Ramsey County Adult Detention Center Roster provides public access to certain booking information for individuals currently in custody.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Ramsey County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Ramsey County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for arrest record retrieval:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours
- Complete a public data request form specifying the records sought
- Provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the request
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Include complete information about the records being requested
- Provide contact information for response
- Enclose payment for applicable fees
- Allow 10 business days for processing as required by Minnesota Statutes
Online Requests:
- Navigate to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office website
- Locate the public records request portal
- Complete the electronic request form with all required information
- Submit payment for applicable fees through the secure payment system
- Receive confirmation of request submission
- Access records electronically when processing is complete
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Records Division
425 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-9333
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding county holidays.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must respond to data requests in a timely manner. The statute requires that requests be responded to within a reasonable time, which is generally interpreted as 10 business days for standard requests.
How To Find Ramsey County Arrest Records Online
Ramsey County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records and related information. The following digital platforms are currently available for public use:
-
Ramsey County Adult Detention Center Roster
- Access the online inmate lookup system
- Search by name or booking number
- View current custody status, charges, and booking information
- Information is updated regularly throughout each day
-
Ramsey County Court Records
- Visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch website
- Select "Ramsey County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Search by name or case number
- Access public court records related to arrests, charges, and case disposition
- Create an account for enhanced search capabilities
-
Warrants and Arrests Information
- Navigate to the Ramsey County warrants and arrests page
- Search for active warrants
- View booking information for recent arrests
- Access information about bail procedures
-
Criminal History Reports
- Request criminal history arrest reports through the Sheriff's Office online portal
- Complete the required fields with subject information
- Pay applicable fees electronically
- Receive reports via secure electronic delivery
When using online systems to access arrest records, users should note that:
- Information is provided in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from public versions
- Records may not be immediately available for very recent arrests
- Technical limitations may occasionally affect system availability
How To Search Ramsey County Arrest Records for Free?
Ramsey County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information without payment through several free public resources:
Free Online Resources:
- The Ramsey County Adult Detention Center Roster provides free access to current inmate information, including booking data and charges for individuals currently in custody.
- The Minnesota Public Access Court Records system (known as MPA) offers free basic searches of court records, which often contain information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
- The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office website provides free access to certain public safety information, including limited arrest data.
Free In-Person Access:
- Visit the public terminals at the Ramsey County Courthouse to search court records related to arrests at no cost.
- Request to inspect (not copy) public arrest records at the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
- Access public computers at Ramsey County libraries to utilize the online resources mentioned above.
Ramsey County Courthouse
15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8266
Ramsey County District Court
Public terminal hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding court holidays.
When utilizing free resources, members of the public should be aware of certain limitations:
- Free access typically provides basic information rather than complete records
- Some systems may have limited search functionality
- High-volume requests may not be accommodated through free services
- Printed copies of records typically incur fees even when viewing is free
- Records that require special processing or redaction may not be available through free services
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 3, government entities may charge for copies of government data but must allow for inspection of public data at no cost.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Ramsey County
Under Minnesota law, individuals may petition for the expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by the Minnesota Expungement Statute (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A).
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Expungement refers to the complete destruction of records or their return to the subject
- Sealing refers to restricting public access while maintaining the records for limited official use
- In Minnesota, most successful petitions result in sealing rather than complete expungement
- Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain government agencies
Eligibility for Expungement/Sealing: Arrest records may be eligible for expungement or sealing in the following circumstances:
- The charges were dismissed
- The individual was found not guilty
- The case did not result in a conviction
- The conviction was for certain low-level offenses after specified waiting periods
- The arrest was made without probable cause
- The arrest involved mistaken identity
Expungement Process:
- Determine eligibility under Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02
- Obtain certified copies of all relevant court documents
- Complete the expungement petition and required forms
- File the petition with the Ramsey County District Court
- Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available)
- Serve copies of the petition on all relevant agencies
- Attend the scheduled expungement hearing
- If granted, ensure the expungement order is properly executed
Ramsey County District Court
15 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8266
Ramsey County District Court
Individuals seeking expungement may benefit from legal assistance, as the process involves complex statutory requirements and procedural rules. The following resources provide guidance and potential representation:
The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides standardized expungement forms and instructions for individuals pursuing expungement without legal representation.
What Happens After Arrest in Ramsey County?
Following an arrest in Ramsey County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process with several distinct phases:
Initial Custody and Booking:
- Transportation to the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center
- Booking procedures, including:
- Photograph and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check
- Assignment of booking number
- Temporary holding in pre-arraignment custody
Charging Decision:
- Case review by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office
- Determination of formal charges
- Preparation of charging documents (complaint or indictment)
- Filing of charges with the court
First Appearance/Arraignment:
- Appearance before a judge within 36 hours of arrest (excluding Sundays and holidays)
- Formal reading of charges
- Advisement of constitutional rights
- Determination of bail or release conditions
- Appointment of public defender if eligible
Pre-Trial Proceedings:
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Omnibus hearing to address evidence and constitutional issues
- Pre-trial conferences to discuss case status and potential resolution
- Motion hearings as needed
Case Resolution:
- Plea negotiation and potential agreement
- Trial (jury or bench) if no plea agreement is reached
- Verdict determination
- If convicted, pre-sentence investigation
Sentencing (if convicted):
- Sentencing hearing before the judge
- Imposition of sentence, which may include:
- Incarceration
- Probation
- Fines and fees
- Restitution
- Treatment programs
- Community service
Post-Conviction:
- Right to appeal within specified timeframes
- Execution of sentence
- Supervision by probation if applicable
- Creation of permanent criminal record
Throughout this process, individuals in custody are housed at the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center until released on bail, transferred to another facility, or released following case disposition.
Ramsey County Adult Detention Center
425 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-9350
Ramsey County Adult Detention Center
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Ramsey County?
Arrest records in Ramsey County are maintained according to retention schedules established under Minnesota law and administrative rules. The Minnesota Government Records Act (Minnesota Statutes § 138.17) provides the legal framework for records retention throughout the state.
Standard Retention Periods:
- Arrest reports and booking information: Minimum 6 years from date of arrest
- Arrest photographs (mugshots): Minimum 6 years from date of arrest
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
- Investigation reports related to arrests: Minimum 10 years from case closure
- Arrest warrants: Minimum 10 years after service or recall
- Juvenile arrest records: Subject to special retention rules under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
Agency-Specific Retention: Different agencies within Ramsey County maintain arrest records for varying periods:
- Ramsey County Sheriff's Office: Follows the Minnesota Law Enforcement Retention Schedule
- Ramsey County Attorney's Office: Maintains prosecution records according to case type and disposition
- Ramsey County District Court: Maintains court records according to the Judicial Branch retention schedule
- Local police departments: May have department-specific retention policies that meet or exceed state minimums
Electronic Records Retention:
- Digital arrest records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records
- Electronic systems must maintain data integrity throughout the required retention period
- Backup systems ensure preservation of electronic arrest records
- Migration protocols exist for transferring records to new systems
The Minnesota Historical Society's State Archives Department provides oversight for government records retention and may designate certain records for permanent archival preservation based on their historical significance.
Records retention serves several important public purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains accountability in the criminal justice system
- Provides statistical data for policy analysis
- Ensures constitutional rights are protected
- Facilitates background checks for authorized purposes
How to Find Mugshots in Ramsey County
What Mugshots Are: Mugshots, or booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images serve as visual identification records within the criminal justice system and typically show the arrested individual's face and upper shoulders from both frontal and profile perspectives.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained: In Ramsey County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:
- The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office as part of booking records
- Local police departments that conduct arrests within their jurisdictions
- The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in state-level criminal history files
Finding Mugshots: Members of the public seeking access to mugshots in Ramsey County have several potential avenues:
- Submit a public data request to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Request booking photos as part of a criminal history report
- Contact the arresting agency directly if it was a municipal police department
- Check the inmate custody reports for currently detained individuals
Can Mugshots Be Found Online: Ramsey County does not maintain a public-facing database specifically for mugshots. While the Adult Detention Center Roster provides information about current inmates, it does not typically include booking photographs. Some third-party websites may publish mugshots, but these are not official county resources and may contain outdated or inaccurate information.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially: To officially request a booking photograph:
- Complete a public data request form specifying the booking photo sought
- Provide sufficient identifying information about the subject
- Submit the request to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying
- Allow processing time as required by Minnesota law
Restrictions on Mugshot Access: Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances:
- Juvenile booking photographs are generally not public records
- Photos related to active investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Images that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible
- Special privacy protections may apply to victims of certain crimes
- Minnesota law places limitations on commercial use of booking photographs
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Records Division
425 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-9333
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
Lookup Arrest Records in Ramsey County
Warrants, Arrests & Bookings information
Adult Detention Center Roster search
Inmates In-Custody Booking Reports