Burnsville Criminal History Records
Burnsville criminal history records are kept by the Burnsville Police Department, the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, and the Dakota County District Court. Burnsville 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 run a background check tied to Burnsville, this page explains the sources and how to use them. Court case records are searchable online for free. Local police report requests go through the department. Broader background checks go through the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Burnsville Overview
Burnsville Police Department Records
The Burnsville Police Department serves as the city's primary law enforcement agency and maintains records of local arrests, incidents, and police activity. The department processes public data requests for police reports and related records under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. If you need a copy of a police report from a Burnsville incident, the department's records unit is the starting point.
The department is located at 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337. Main phone is (952) 895-4600, fax is (952) 895-4640, and you can also reach the department by email at burnsvillepolice@burnsvillemn.gov.
The screenshot below was captured from the Burnsville Police Department website, which has contact details for the records unit and links to the online records request system.
The police website gives you direct links to the department's records unit and the online request form. Use it to find the right contact for your records need.
The screenshot below is from the Burnsville online records request page, which explains how to submit a public data request and what to expect in return.
The online request page covers fees, turnaround times, and how to ask for specific types of public data from the city of Burnsville.
| Office | Burnsville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville, MN 55337 |
| Phone | (952) 895-4600 |
| Fax | (952) 895-4640 |
| burnsvillepolice@burnsvillemn.gov | |
| Records Request | burnsvillemn.gov/records |
| Police Website | burnsvillemn.gov/Police |
Police and accident report copies cost $0.25 per sheet. A letter of clearance is $35. Fingerprinting services are available for $40 per person. These fees are set by the department and may change, so confirm current amounts before visiting.
Dakota County Court Records for Burnsville
Criminal cases in Burnsville are handled by the Dakota County District Court, part of Minnesota's 1st Judicial District. The court maintains case files for all criminal matter types. For full details on the Dakota County court system, see the Dakota County criminal history page.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free statewide search system for court case records. You can search Burnsville cases by name or case number and see docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case status. Access it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Criminal case 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 the public can access. Arrest records and booking data are generally public. Investigation-level data may be restricted while a case is active. For records that do not appear online, staff at the Dakota County courthouse can help locate the file.
BCA Background Checks for Burnsville
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains statewide criminal history records for Minnesota. If you need an official background check for someone with Burnsville or Dakota County case history, use the BCA's portal at dps.mn.gov. Standard criminal history checks cost $15. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations pay $8. Fingerprint-based checks carry additional fees.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records held by the BCA are public data for 15 years following sentence discharge. Arrest-only records are not public through the BCA. MCRO gives you access to court-level conviction data for most searches without a formal BCA request.
The DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer shows current and past Department of Corrections offenders statewide, free to use. For anyone convicted in a Dakota County case and sentenced to prison, this is where you check their facility and release information.
Expungement of Burnsville Criminal Records
Minnesota law allows people to petition for expungement of certain criminal records under Minnesota Statute 609A.02. Burnsville residents with cases 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 all offenses qualify.
Expungement does not erase the record but seals it from public access. Law enforcement and certain agencies can still see sealed records under limited conditions. The petition process involves serving copies on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecutor. Each can object before the judge decides. The process typically takes several months from filing to decision.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch website at mncourts.gov has expungement forms and instructions. Legal aid organizations in the Dakota County area can help Burnsville residents determine eligibility and prepare their petitions.
Victim Notification: VINE
VINE, the Victim Information and Notification Everyday service, is free and lets crime victims track custody status for offenders held in the Dakota County jail. If someone connected to a Burnsville case is in county custody, you can register for alerts at vinelink.com. Notifications go out automatically when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. You can also call 1-877-664-8463 to register or check by phone at any time.
Nearby Cities
Burnsville is in northern Dakota County near several other communities. All criminal records for cities in this county run through the same 1st District court.