Wabasha County Criminal History Records
Wabasha County criminal history records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in the city of Wabasha. The county has a population of about 21,000 and is served by the 3rd Judicial District. Criminal court records are available through the state's free MCRO system, and the Sheriff's Office handles all local arrest and jail data. This page covers where to search for criminal records in Wabasha County, how to contact the right offices, and what state law says about access to these records.
Wabasha County Overview
Wabasha County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Wabasha County Sheriff is Rodney L. Bartsh. The office is at 848 17th St E, Wabasha MN 55981, and the main number is (651) 565-3361. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county, including arrests, booking, and jail operations. For records-related questions, start with the main number or visit the department's page at co.wabasha.mn.us/departments/sheriff_s_office.
Arrest records, booking data, and incident reports generated by the Wabasha County Sheriff are public under state law. The Sheriff serves the unincorporated areas of the county and provides support to local agencies in Wabasha and other communities. Booking records flow through the Sheriff's jail regardless of which agency made the arrest. If you need a copy of an incident report or want to know about a specific arrest, contact the records unit at the Sheriff's Office.
The screenshot below is from the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office website, the main source for law enforcement and jail records in the county.
The Sheriff's website has contact details and information on services including jail operations and law enforcement records in Wabasha County.
| Office | Wabasha County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 848 17th St E, Wabasha MN 55981 |
| Phone | (651) 565-3361 |
| Sheriff | Rodney L. Bartsh |
| Website | co.wabasha.mn.us/sheriff |
Wabasha County Criminal Court Records
Wabasha County is part of the 3rd Judicial District. The District Court is located at 900 Hiawatha Dr E, Wabasha, and can be reached at (651) 565-4568. The court handles all criminal cases filed in the county, from misdemeanors to felonies. Case records include charges, hearing schedules, dispositions, and sentencing information. Minnesota Court Records Online is the easiest way to search these records without going to the courthouse.
MCRO is free and available at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. You can search Wabasha County cases by name or case number and pull up docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Some records are restricted by court order or statute. If you cannot find what you need online, the court clerk in Wabasha can help you access records in person. The clerk's office handles both current and archived case files.
The screenshot below is from the Wabasha County court page on mncourts.gov, which lists the District Court's address, phone, and hours for in-person visits.
The mncourts page for Wabasha County also has links to self-help resources and court filing information for people navigating the criminal court system on their own.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, law enforcement data including arrest records and booking information is public. This covers both the Sheriff's booking records and the case data held by the District Court. Together, these two sources give a reasonably complete picture of most criminal matters in Wabasha County.
Wabasha County Jail and Custody Records
The Wabasha County jail is operated by the Sheriff's Office in Wabasha. The county provides a jail custody list as a PDF that you can access online. The roster lists people currently in custody and is a public document. Check the Sheriff's website or contact the office directly if you need the most current version. For ongoing custody monitoring, VINE provides automatic alerts for free.
VINE, which stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday, lets victims and others track custody status changes for inmates. You can register at vinelink.com. VINE sends alerts when someone is released, transferred, or escapes from a facility, including the Wabasha County jail. The system works around the clock and also covers transfers to state prisons, so you do not lose track if an inmate is moved out of county.
The screenshot below is from Minnesota Court Records Online, which is also useful for checking active warrants and case outcomes for Wabasha County defendants.
MCRO gives you case-level data from the District Court, which is a good complement to the Sheriff's booking data when looking at a full criminal record.
Background Checks and BCA Criminal History
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes Wabasha County arrests, charges, and dispositions. For a certified background check, start at bca.dps.mn.gov. The BCA handles both personal record requests and third-party background checks. Fees apply depending on the type and purpose of the request. The website explains what documentation is needed for each type.
Minnesota Statute 13.87 governs criminal history data and access rules. Arrest-level data is generally public. Full disposition records may require a more formal request. Government agencies, courts, and licensed entities can access more than private individuals. If you need your own record, the BCA allows you to request a personal history copy. The process is different from requesting someone else's record.
The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer is a free tool for checking whether anyone from Wabasha County is currently in a state prison or has been in state custody.
Wabasha County Criminal Record Expungement
Minnesota Statute 609A.02 allows people to petition for expungement of eligible criminal records. Expungement seals the record from public access. Not all offenses qualify. The law specifies which charges are eligible and what waiting periods apply before you can file. For Wabasha County cases, you file the petition with the District Court at 900 Hiawatha Dr E, Wabasha.
The petition must be served on several agencies, including the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecutor who handled the case. Each has the right to object before the judge rules. If the petition is granted, the record is hidden from most public searches, though law enforcement and certain government bodies can still access it under specific conditions. The process from filing to decision typically takes several months.
Note: Legal aid services in southeastern Minnesota can help Wabasha County residents determine whether their records qualify for expungement and assist with the filing process.
Cities in Wabasha County
Wabasha serves as both the county seat and largest city in Wabasha County. All criminal cases from communities across the county are filed with the District Court in Wabasha.
No cities in Wabasha County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Records for Wabasha, Lake City, and all other communities in the county go through the Wabasha County District Court.
Nearby Counties
Wabasha County is in southeastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River. If you are not sure which county has the records you need, verify where the arrest or case was filed.