Woodbury Criminal History Records

Woodbury criminal history records are handled by the Woodbury Public Safety Department and the Washington County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's 10th Judicial District. You can search court cases through Minnesota Court Records Online, contact Washington County Sheriff's Office for county law enforcement records, and run statewide background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This page covers the offices and tools you need to find criminal records connected to Woodbury, Minnesota.

Woodbury Public Safety Department

Woodbury operates a combined Public Safety Department that integrates police, fire, and emergency medical services. This setup means a single department handles law enforcement and emergency response for the city. The Public Safety Department website is at woodburymn.gov. For local criminal records requests, including incident reports and arrest data from Woodbury officers, start with the Public Safety Department.

The screenshot below is from the Woodbury city website, where the Public Safety Department is accessible along with other city services and contact information.

The city site has contact information for Public Safety staff and links to data request tools for Woodbury-specific records.

Because Woodbury sits in Washington County, some law enforcement services are also handled by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Depending on where in the county an incident took place, records may be with the city's Public Safety Department or with the county sheriff. When in doubt, check with both agencies or search MCRO to see which agency filed the case.

Woodbury follows the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act for all public records requests. Most incident reports and arrest data from city officers are public once a case has moved past the active investigation stage. Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, arrest data is generally public, while active investigation files may be restricted.

Washington County Sheriff's Office

The Washington County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county and runs the county jail, where many Woodbury arrests result in booking. The Sheriff's Office is at 15015 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082. You can reach them at (651) 430-6000. Their website is at co.washington.mn.us.

For county-wide criminal records, the Sheriff's Office is the right starting point for arrests that occurred outside Woodbury city limits but within Washington County. Jail records for people booked into the Washington County jail after a Woodbury arrest can also be requested through the Sheriff's Office.

Washington County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Minnesota. The Sheriff's Office handles a substantial caseload and can direct you to the correct division for your specific record request. Booking records, civil process records, and warrant information are all managed through the Sheriff's main office in Stillwater.

Washington County Court Records

All Woodbury criminal cases go through the Washington County District Court, part of Minnesota's 10th Judicial District. The courthouse is in Stillwater, which is the county seat. Cases from Woodbury and all other Washington County cities are handled by this court, from arraignment through sentencing.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) gives free public access to Washington County court cases. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us and search by name, case number, or citation number. MCRO shows docket entries, charges, case status, and hearing information. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are typically available to view online. Older records may need to be requested directly from the court administrator's office in Stillwater.

Note: Washington County has a separate court calendar for Woodbury matters in some cases. If you can't find a case through MCRO, call the Washington County Court Administrator to check whether the record is in the system or requires a direct search.

BCA Background Checks

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension keeps the statewide criminal history database covering Woodbury and all of Washington County. Use the BCA's portal at dps.mn.gov to request a background check. Standard checks cost $15. The BCA is at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106, and can be reached at (651) 793-2400. Conviction data is public for 15 years after a sentence is completed, per Minn. Stat. 13.87.

For anyone sentenced to state prison from a Woodbury case, the DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer shows their current status, facility, and release information. This tool is free to use and covers both current inmates and those under supervised release anywhere in Minnesota.

Woodbury Criminal Record Expungement

People with criminal records from Woodbury cases may qualify to seal them under Minn. Stat. 609A.02. Expungement seals the record from public view without destroying it. Misdemeanors require a two-year waiting period. Gross misdemeanors need four years. Certain felonies require five years after the sentence ends. Expungement petitions for Woodbury cases go through Washington County District Court in Stillwater. Filing fees are typically around $300. Some offenses qualify for automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 without a formal petition. Legal aid organizations serving Washington County can help you figure out which option applies.

Victim Notification: VINE

Crime victims connected to Woodbury cases can sign up for custody alerts through VINE at vinelink.com or by calling 1-877-664-8463. Woodbury arrests that result in jail time go through the Washington County jail system, and VINE covers that facility. You get automatic notifications when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. The service is free and operates around the clock.

Nearby Cities

Woodbury sits in Washington County, east of Saint Paul. Nearby qualifying cities are in different counties and use their own district courts for criminal records.