Apple Valley Criminal History

Apple Valley criminal history records are held by the Apple Valley Police Department, the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, and the Dakota County District Court. Apple Valley is in Dakota County and is part of Minnesota's 1st Judicial District. If you need to find arrest records, look up court cases, or get background check information tied to Apple Valley, this page covers the main sources and how to use them. You can search court records online for free and request local police records directly from the department. State background checks go through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Apple Valley Police Department Records

The Apple Valley Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency. They handle calls for service, make arrests, and maintain records on local incidents. The department's records unit processes public data requests under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Chief Nick Francis leads the department. If you need a police report from an Apple Valley incident or want to contact the records unit, the department is your first stop.

The department is located at 7100 147th Street W, Apple Valley, MN 55124. Main phone is (952) 953-2700, fax is (952) 953-2733, and email is police@applevalleymn.gov.

The screenshot below was captured from the Apple Valley Police Department website, which has contact details for the records unit and information on available police services.

The police website gives you direct links to the records unit and the department's public contact options. Use it to find the right channel for your request type.

The screenshot below was captured from the Apple Valley online police non-emergency reporting system, which is a tool for submitting non-emergency reports and certain records requests online.

The online reporting system allows residents to file non-emergency police reports without calling dispatch. For formal public data requests, use the department's main contact channels.

Dakota County Court Records for Apple Valley

Criminal cases from Apple Valley are handled by the Dakota County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's 1st Judicial District. All criminal matter types, from misdemeanors to felonies, go through this court. For full information on the Dakota County court system, see the Dakota County criminal history page.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free statewide system for searching court case records. Look up Apple Valley cases by name or case number and see docket entries, charges, hearings, and case status at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Criminal documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally viewable online. Older records require a direct request from the Dakota County court administrator.

Minnesota Statute 13.82 defines what law enforcement data is public. Arrest records, booking data, and incident reports are generally available. Active investigation data may be restricted. If a record you need is not online, staff at the Dakota County courthouse can help locate the file and make copies.

Note: Juvenile records are not public and will not appear in MCRO searches for Apple Valley or other Dakota County cities.

BCA Background Checks for Apple Valley

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains statewide criminal history records covering arrests, charges, and dispositions from all Minnesota courts including Dakota County. For a certified background check covering Apple Valley case history, use the BCA portal at dps.mn.gov. Standard checks cost $15. Nonprofits may qualify for an $8 rate.

Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are public data for 15 years following sentence discharge. Arrest-only records held by the BCA are not public. MCRO covers court-level conviction and case data for most general searches, which is enough for many purposes without a formal BCA request.

The DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer shows current and past Department of Corrections offenders at no cost. For anyone convicted in a Dakota County case and sentenced to prison, this is where you check their facility and release status.

Criminal Record Expungement in Apple Valley

Minnesota allows expungement of certain criminal records under Minnesota Statute 609A.02. Apple Valley residents whose cases were filed in Dakota County would petition at the Dakota County District Court. Waiting periods vary: two years for misdemeanors, four years for gross misdemeanors, five years for certain felonies. Not every offense qualifies.

Expungement seals the record from public view but does not destroy it. Law enforcement and certain agencies can still access sealed records under limited conditions. The petition must be served on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecuting office. Each can object. The judge reviews all responses before making a decision. This process typically takes several months to complete.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch at mncourts.gov has expungement forms and step-by-step instructions. Legal aid organizations in the Dakota County area can help Apple Valley residents assess eligibility and prepare their petitions.

Victim Notification: VINE

VINE, Victim Information and Notification Everyday, lets crime victims track the custody status of offenders held in the Dakota County jail. If someone connected to an Apple Valley case is in county custody, register for automatic alerts at vinelink.com. The service sends notifications when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. It is free and runs around the clock. Call 1-877-664-8463 to register or check status by phone at any time.

Nearby Cities

Apple Valley is in central Dakota County near several other communities. All criminal records for these cities run through the same Dakota County 1st District court system.