Find Criminal Records in Clearwater County

Clearwater County criminal history records are kept by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Bagley, Minnesota. The county posts an inmate list that refreshes every 60 minutes, giving you near real-time access to current jail bookings. You can also search criminal case records through the free Minnesota Court Records Online system. This page covers the main ways to find Clearwater County criminal history, who maintains the records, and what tools are available online and in person.

Clearwater County Sheriff and Criminal History

The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office is at 213 Main Ave N in Bagley, inside the county courthouse, and can be reached at (218) 694-6226. The Sheriff handles law enforcement across the county, including arrests and the maintenance of criminal history records. The office is the first point of contact for questions about arrests, criminal activity, or jail bookings in Clearwater County.

Clearwater County maintains a public inmate list that is updated every 60 minutes. It includes mugshots, booking dates, and the charges attached to each booking. This is a strong tool for finding current custody information for anyone held in the Clearwater County jail. You can access the list at clearwatercountymn.gov/inmate-list. The list is free and does not require a login. Because it updates frequently, it gives a close-to-real-time view of who is in custody in the county.

Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, arrest data is generally public. This covers the arrested person's name, the date of the arrest, and the charges. The Sheriff's Office can provide this information upon request. Records related to active investigations or juveniles may be limited or withheld.

The inmate list below shows current bookings in the Clearwater County jail, including mugshots and charge information.

Access the Clearwater County Inmate List to see current jail bookings with mugshots, booking dates, and charges, updated every 60 minutes.

The inmate list refreshes every hour and is a quick, free resource for checking current custody in Clearwater County.

Clearwater County District Court Criminal Records

The Clearwater County District Court is at 213 Main Ave N in Bagley, sharing the courthouse building with the Sheriff's Office. The court is part of the 9th Judicial District and handles all criminal cases filed in the county. The clerk's office manages case files, handles records requests, and can assist in finding specific cases by name or case number.

Criminal records in Clearwater County are public and most can be found through MCRO, the state's free court records system. You can search by name or case number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO shows charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, criminal history data held by courts is subject to public access rules. Sealed cases will not appear in the online system.

The district court page shown below provides direct contact info and resources for Clearwater County criminal cases.

Find court details on the Minnesota Courts Clearwater County page, including address, phone, and case filing information.

The courts page lists hours, contact info, and direct links to the MCRO case search for Clearwater County criminal records.

The MCRO portal below is the primary online search tool for Clearwater County court records.

Use Minnesota Court Records Online to search Clearwater County criminal cases by name or case number at no cost.

MCRO returns case details, charges, and docket entries for Clearwater County criminal cases filed with the District Court.

VINE Custody Notifications for Clearwater County

In addition to the county's own inmate list, VINE is available as a statewide custody tracking and notification service. VINE lets you search by name and sign up for alerts when someone's custody status changes. It connects to the Clearwater County jail system and sends free notifications by phone, email, or text.

The VINE screenshot below shows the search interface available for tracking Clearwater County inmate status.

Visit vinelink.com to search inmate status connected to Clearwater County and register for free custody change alerts.

VINE is available 24 hours a day and sends alerts by phone, email, or text when a Clearwater County inmate's status changes.

Note: VINE and the county inmate list both reflect current detention data only. For criminal history going back years, use MCRO or the BCA background check service.

Background Checks for Clearwater County Criminal History

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs the official statewide criminal history check system. A BCA report covers criminal history from courts and law enforcement agencies across all Minnesota counties, including Clearwater. Contact the BCA at (651) 793-2400 or request a check at bca.dps.mn.gov. The background check service page is at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca.

Clearwater County is small and rural. Most of its criminal case history is accessible through MCRO. But for a thorough statewide check that pulls arrest data along with court records, the BCA report is the more complete option. Fees apply for most BCA background check requests. Individuals can also request their own criminal history record from the BCA if they want to review it before others do.

Expungement of Clearwater County Criminal Records

Minnesota law provides a process for sealing criminal records through expungement. The governing statute is Minnesota Statute 609A.02, which sets out who can file a petition and what types of cases qualify. A person with a criminal record in Clearwater County would file an expungement petition at the District Court in Bagley.

Expungement seals the record from public access, including MCRO and most background check systems. It does not erase the record. Law enforcement may still be able to access sealed records under some conditions. To pursue expungement, a person must file a petition, notify all agencies that hold the record, and attend a court hearing. The BCA and any arresting agency receive notice and may respond. The judge then decides whether to grant the petition.

Eligibility depends on the offense type, time elapsed since the case closed, and the person's overall record. Some serious offenses cannot be expunged under current law. Petition forms are available from the court or at the Minnesota Courts website. If cost or complexity is a concern, legal aid organizations may be able to assist those who meet income guidelines.

Cities in Clearwater County

Clearwater County is a small, rural county with no cities that reach the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages. Bagley is the county seat and the location of the courthouse and Sheriff's Office. All criminal cases in the county are filed and heard at the Clearwater County District Court in Bagley.

Nearby Counties

Clearwater County borders several other counties in northwestern Minnesota. Each has its own District Court for criminal matters.