Search Houston County Criminal History

Houston County criminal history records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court, both located in Caledonia. The county sits in the far southeast corner of Minnesota, bordering Wisconsin and Iowa, and covers about 19,000 residents. You can look up current jail inmates for free through the county's online roster, search court case records through MCRO, or request a formal criminal history through the state BCA. This guide walks through each option and explains what is available at the local level.

Houston County Sheriff's Office Records

The Houston County Sheriff handles law enforcement across the county and manages the county jail in Caledonia. The office is located at 304 S Marshall St, Caledonia MN 55921. The main phone line is (507) 725-3379. The Sheriff is responsible for arrests, booking, and holding people in custody until they appear in court or are released.

The county publishes a free In Custody list that shows who is currently held in the Houston County Jail. This roster is available online and is updated on a regular basis. You can access it at co.houston.mn.us/in-custody. The list typically shows the person's name, booking date, and the charges they are held on. No account or login is needed to view it.

The screenshot below is from the Houston County Sheriff's Office website, which lists contact details for the department and links to the in-custody roster and other public information.

The Sheriff's site is a good starting point for any criminal history or arrest question involving the county.

The screenshot below was captured from the Houston County In Custody list, which shows current jail inmates free of charge.

Check this page to see who is currently in custody at the Houston County Jail. The list is a public record under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which makes arrest data available to the public.

Houston County Criminal Court Records

Houston County District Court handles criminal cases from misdemeanors up through felonies. It is part of the 3rd Judicial District of Minnesota. The courthouse is located at 304 S Marshall St in Caledonia, the same building as the Sheriff's Office. The court maintains all case files, docket entries, and judgments for cases filed in the county.

The screenshot below is from the Houston County District Court page on mncourts.gov, which lists the court's address, phone number, and division contacts.

Use this page to confirm court hours and find out who to contact for records requests.

Minnesota Court Records Online gives free public access to criminal case records from Houston County District Court. Search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and docket entries. Some records are sealed by court order and will not appear. Access MCRO at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. The screenshot below was taken from the MCRO public access portal, which covers Houston County along with all other Minnesota counties.

MCRO is free to use and does not require you to create an account or visit the courthouse.

Criminal History Background Checks in Houston County

For a formal criminal history record check, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is the statewide authority. The BCA keeps comprehensive records of arrests, charges, and dispositions reported by courts and law enforcement agencies across Minnesota, including Houston County. Their background check service is available at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca. Both personal record requests and authorized third-party checks are handled through this portal.

Minnesota Statute 13.87 covers criminal history data held by law enforcement. This law sets out what parts of a criminal record are public and which are restricted. Arrest records are generally public, but full disposition histories require proper authorization in most cases. For Houston County cases specifically, you can also check MCRO first to see what court-level data is available without going through the BCA.

The DOC Offender Locator is another useful tool. If someone was convicted of a felony in Houston County and sentenced to a state prison term, their record will appear at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer. You can search by name and see current custody status, facility placement, and release information. This system is free and open to the public.

Expungement of Houston County Criminal Records

People with criminal records in Houston County can petition to have certain records sealed under Minnesota Statute 609A.02. Expungement does not destroy the record. It seals it from public view. Eligibility depends on the type of offense, whether there was a conviction, and how much time has passed since the case closed. Not all offenses qualify.

To file for expungement of a Houston County case, you submit your petition to the District Court in Caledonia. The petition must be served on the agencies involved in the case, including the Sheriff, the BCA, and the prosecuting attorney. Each agency has a window to object before the judge makes a ruling. The full process typically takes several months. Legal aid organizations serving southeast Minnesota can assist with the filing if you have questions about eligibility.

VINE Link is available for crime victims who want to track the custody status of an offender held in Houston County. Register for free notifications at vinelink.com. You will get alerts if the person is released, transferred, or escapes from custody.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes Caledonia, Hokah, Houston, La Crescent, Spring Grove, and other communities. All criminal cases from these areas are handled by the Houston County District Court in Caledonia. No cities in Houston County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Houston County borders Winona County to the north and Fillmore County to the west. If a case was filed in one of those counties, check their records directly.