Search Steele County Criminal History Records

Steele County criminal history records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Owatonna, Minnesota. The county is part of the 3rd Judicial District and has a population of about 37,000. Sheriff Lon Thiele leads the department. The Sheriff's Office posts a daily jail roster PDF and a public warrant list, making it easier to check current custody and outstanding warrants without a courthouse visit. This page covers those tools along with state and court resources for Steele County criminal records.

Steele County Sheriff Criminal Records

The Steele County Sheriff's Office is located at 2500 Alexander St SW, Owatonna MN 55060. The main phone number is (507) 444-3800. The jail phone is (507) 446-7000. Sheriff Lon Thiele leads the department. The Records Division handles requests at (507) 444-3800, with a fax line at (507) 444-0330. You can also reach records by email at Lecrecords@co.steele.mn.us. The Sheriff's Office website is at steelecountymn.gov/divisions/sheriff_office/index.php.

The Steele County Sheriff posts a daily jail roster PDF that is updated each day. Access it at the Steele County Jail Roster PDF. This PDF shows current inmates and is refreshed regularly. The Sheriff also maintains a public warrant list at steelecountymn.gov/detention_center/county_warrants.php. These are two distinct public-facing tools that give direct access to custody and warrant information without needing to call the office.

The screenshot below is from the Steele County Sheriff's Office website, which is the starting point for jail roster access, warrant information, and records requests in the county.

The Sheriff's site links to the jail roster, warrant list, contact information for each division, and services available to the public in Steele County.

Steele County Court Records and Criminal Cases

The Steele County District Court handles all criminal cases in the county. It is part of the 3rd Judicial District. The courthouse is in Owatonna. For court contact information and hours, visit the Steele County court page at mncourts.gov.

Minnesota Court Records Online, or MCRO, is the free statewide portal for searching court case records. You can search Steele County criminal cases by name or case number and find docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case status. Access it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO covers cases going back many years and is updated as courts process filings. Some records are sealed or restricted and will not appear in a public search. It is the fastest free way to check a Steele County case without driving to Owatonna.

The screenshot below is from the Steele County District Court page on mncourts.gov, listing courthouse details, contact numbers, and services for the court in Owatonna.

The District Court page on mncourts.gov is the right place to confirm hours, correct contact numbers, and which division to contact for a specific type of case.

Minnesota Statute 13.82 defines what law enforcement data is public in Minnesota. Arrest records, incident reports, and booking data are generally accessible under this statute. The court clerk in Owatonna can tell you what is available for a specific Steele County case if you cannot find it online.

The screenshot below is from Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), the statewide court portal that covers Steele County criminal case filings and case history.

MCRO is free, does not require an account, and is available any time of day for searching Steele County court cases by name or file number.

Steele County Jail Roster, Warrants, and Inmate Lookup

The Steele County Jail is operated by the Sheriff's Office at 2500 Alexander St SW in Owatonna. The jail phone is (507) 446-7000. The Sheriff posts a daily updated jail roster PDF at cms2files.revize.com/steelecountynew/Sheriff/Inmate_Roster.pdf. This PDF shows who is in custody on any given day. It is a practical tool for checking current inmates without calling the jail.

The public warrant list is posted at steelecountymn.gov/detention_center/county_warrants.php. Warrant data is updated as warrants are issued or resolved. If a name appears on the list, there is an active outstanding warrant for that person. Resolving a warrant means appearing in court. The court clerk in Owatonna can explain the process for addressing a warrant voluntarily. For state prison inmates, use the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer.

Note: The jail roster is a PDF file and is updated daily. For the most current status on a specific person, call the jail at (507) 446-7000 directly.

Background Checks and BCA Criminal History

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at bca.dps.mn.gov maintains the statewide criminal history database. This includes arrests, charges, and dispositions from Steele County and every other county in Minnesota. A BCA check is the official and most complete source for a Minnesota criminal history. You can request a personal record check or an authorized third-party check through the BCA portal.

Minnesota Statute 13.87 governs access to criminal history data in Minnesota. Arrest-level records are generally public. Full disposition histories require an authorized request. The Steele County Sheriff's Records Division handles local requests at (507) 444-3800 or by email at Lecrecords@co.steele.mn.us. For most general searches, the combination of the Sheriff's online tools, MCRO, and the BCA covers the main bases. The Records Division can answer questions about what is available locally before you decide what type of formal request to submit.

Steele County Criminal Record Expungement

People with Steele County criminal records may be eligible to seek expungement under Minnesota Statute 609A.02. An expungement seals a criminal record from public access. The statute sets eligibility rules and waiting periods based on the charge type and how the case was resolved. Not every conviction or arrest qualifies. Petitions for Steele County cases are filed with the District Court in Owatonna.

The petition must be served on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecuting attorney. Each agency has a review window and can file an objection. After the review period ends, the judge holds a hearing and rules on the petition. If approved, the record is sealed from public searches. Law enforcement retains access to sealed records under limited circumstances spelled out in state law. The full process takes several months from start to a final decision. The court clerk in Owatonna can direct you to self-help resources if you plan to file without an attorney.

Victim Notification: VINE Link

VINE Link is a free statewide notification service for crime victims. If someone related to a Steele County case is in the county jail or a state facility, you can register at vinelink.com for automatic alerts when that person is released, transferred, or escapes. The service is available around the clock and does not require any contact with the Sheriff's Office or the court.

Cities in Steele County

Steele County includes Owatonna and several smaller communities. All criminal cases in the county go through the Steele County District Court in Owatonna.

Communities in Steele County include Owatonna, Blooming Prairie, Medford, and Ellendale. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a separate city page. Criminal records for all of them are handled through the Steele County court system.

Nearby Counties

Steele County borders several other Minnesota counties. If you need records from a neighboring county, use the links below.