Rochester Criminal History Records

Rochester criminal history records are maintained by the Rochester Police Department and the Olmsted County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District. You can request law enforcement records directly from RPD, search court cases online through Minnesota Court Records Online, and run statewide background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This page walks through the options for finding criminal records tied to Rochester, Minnesota.

Rochester Police Department Records

The Rochester Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city. The main Law Enforcement Center is at 101 SE 4th Street, Rochester, MN 55904. A North Station is located at 4001 West River Pkwy NW, Suite 200, Rochester, MN 55901. For non-emergencies, call (507) 328-6800. The RPD website is at rochestermn.gov/departments/police.

Rochester criminal history and law enforcement records are handled through the department's dedicated records request process. You can submit a request by email, phone, or fax. The records contact email is LECRecords@rochestermn.gov. The direct phone for records is (507) 328-6811. The fax number is (507) 328-6788. Records staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requests for incident reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement data all go through this channel.

More information about the records request process is available at rochestermn.gov/departments/police/contact-us/request-records. The page outlines what types of records are available, how to submit a request, and what to expect in terms of processing time.

Reporting and Crime Tips in Rochester

If you need to report a crime or look up crime reporting resources for Rochester, the Olmsted County online reporting page is a useful starting point. The screenshot below is from the Olmsted County report a crime page, which covers online crime reporting options for Rochester and the surrounding area.

The page lists the correct contacts for non-emergency and emergency situations, including how to report incidents that do not require an immediate police response.

For anonymous crime tips, Rochester has two options. You can text the word "Rochester" to 63975. You can also call the tip line at 800-222-8477. These tips can be submitted without giving your name and are routed to the appropriate officers. For active emergencies, always call 911. Text-to-911 may also be available in Olmsted County for situations where a voice call is not safe or possible.

Olmsted County Court Records

All Rochester criminal cases go through the Olmsted County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District. The courthouse handles everything from misdemeanors to felonies filed within Rochester city limits and the surrounding Olmsted County area. Court records from these cases are accessible through the state's public access system.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free tool for searching Olmsted County court cases online. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us and search by name, case number, or citation number. MCRO shows docket entries, charges, case status, and scheduled hearings. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are typically available to view. Older records may require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, arrest data from Rochester Police is public. The basic facts of an arrest, including the person's name, the charge, and the date and location, are available to the public once a case enters the court system. Active investigation data can be restricted, but most information opens up as a case is resolved.

Note: If you need a certified copy of a Rochester court record, you must request it in person or by mail from the Olmsted County Court Administrator's office, not through MCRO.

Background Checks and BCA

For a statewide criminal history check covering Rochester and all of Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is the right source. Use the BCA's online portal at dps.mn.gov to request a background check. The BCA maintains records from courts across the state, including Olmsted County District Court cases. Standard checks cost $15. Nonprofit organizations pay $8.

If you need your own criminal record from the BCA, you can request it for $8 by submitting a notarized consent form to the BCA's Criminal History Access Unit at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106. The phone number is (651) 793-2400. The BCA also runs the predatory offender registration system for the state, which covers offenders required to register in Minnesota regardless of where they live.

Under Minn. Stat. 13.87, conviction data is public for 15 years following the completion of a sentence. Arrest-level data without a conviction is not part of the BCA's public search. For Rochester arrest records specifically, contact the Rochester Police Department's records unit directly.

The DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer covers anyone in state corrections custody. If someone was convicted in Rochester and sentenced to prison, you can check their facility, status, and release date here at no cost.

Rochester Criminal Record Expungement

People with criminal records from Rochester cases may qualify for expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.02. Expungement seals the record from public view. It does not destroy it. Misdemeanor cases have a two-year waiting period before you can petition. Gross misdemeanors require four years. Certain felonies need five years after the sentence is done. Cases involving predatory offender registration are not eligible.

Expungement petitions for Rochester cases are filed in Olmsted County District Court. You file the petition and serve it on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecutor. Each agency can respond before the judge decides. The process typically takes several months. Legal aid organizations in the Rochester area can help you figure out if you qualify and guide you through the filing process. Some cases qualify for automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 without any petition required.

Victim Notification: VINE

Crime victims connected to Rochester cases can use VINE to track custody status. Register at vinelink.com or call 1-877-664-8463. You will get automatic alerts when an inmate in Olmsted County custody is released, transferred, or escapes. The service is free and runs around the clock. You can sign up by phone or online and choose how you want to receive notifications.

Nearby Cities

Rochester is the largest city in southern Minnesota. Other qualifying Minnesota cities are in different counties and use their own district courts for criminal records.