Criminal History in Watonwan County
Watonwan County criminal history records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Saint James. The county has a population of about 11,000 and is served by the 5th Judicial District. The Sheriff's Office provides a public jail roster PDF and offers scheduled visitation for inmates. Court case records are searchable through the state's free MCRO system. This page covers the main ways to find criminal records in Watonwan County and who to contact for more detailed requests.
Watonwan County Overview
Watonwan County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Watonwan County Sheriff's Office is at 710 2nd Ave S, St James MN 56081 (PO Box 168). The main number is (507) 375-3121. For jail questions, call (507) 375-1206. The Sheriff manages all law enforcement for the county, including arrests, booking, and jail operations. Booking records and arrest data from any law enforcement agency in Watonwan County flow through the Sheriff's jail and are public under state law. For records requests, contact the office by phone or visit in person.
The county publishes a public jail roster as a PDF. You can access the current list of inmates at co.watonwan.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/67/Jail-Roster. This document is updated regularly and shows who is currently in custody at the Watonwan County jail. It is a direct way to check custody status without making a phone call, though calling the jail at (507) 375-1206 is also an option if the PDF is not loading or you need more details about a specific inmate.
The screenshot below is from the Watonwan County court page on mncourts.gov, which lists the District Court's contact information and hours for the court in Saint James.
Use the mncourts page to confirm court hours and find the right contact for records requests at the Watonwan County courthouse.
| Office | Watonwan County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 710 2nd Ave S, St James MN 56081 |
| Main Phone | (507) 375-3121 |
| Jail Phone | (507) 375-1206 |
| Jail Roster | Jail Roster PDF |
Watonwan County Criminal Court Records
Watonwan County is part of the 5th Judicial District. The District Court in Saint James handles all criminal charges filed in the county. Case records include charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing data. These records are accessible through Minnesota Court Records Online, which is free to use and does not require registration.
MCRO is at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. You can search Watonwan County cases by name or case number. Results include docket entries and case status. Some records are restricted by court order or statute and will not show online. If you need access to sealed or older files, contact the court clerk in Saint James. In a smaller county like Watonwan, clerk staff can often help you locate records quickly.
The screenshot below is from Minnesota Court Records Online, the statewide court system that covers Watonwan County criminal cases and is searchable free of charge.
MCRO is the primary free tool for searching Watonwan County criminal case records without visiting the courthouse.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, law enforcement data including arrests and booking records are public. This applies to the Watonwan County Sheriff's booking data as well as the case filings at District Court. Checking both sources gives you the most complete view of a criminal matter in the county.
Watonwan County Jail Visitation and Notification
The Watonwan County jail runs scheduled inmate visitation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. For details on visitation rules and procedures, check the county's visitation page at co.watonwan.mn.us/342/Inmate-Visitation. Visits are not walk-in and may require advance scheduling. Contact the jail at (507) 375-1206 to confirm current procedures before showing up.
For ongoing custody monitoring, Watonwan County participates in VINE, the national victim notification system. You can register at vinelink.com to receive free alerts when an inmate is released, transferred, or has a status change. VINE covers both the Watonwan County jail and state DOC facilities, so alerts continue even if an inmate is transferred out of the county.
The screenshot below is from VINE Link, which Watonwan County connects to for victim notification and custody tracking services.
Registering with VINE takes only a few minutes and gives you automatic updates without the need to check back manually on custody status.
Background Checks and BCA Criminal History
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains the statewide criminal history database for Minnesota, which includes Watonwan County arrests, charges, and dispositions. For a certified background check, go to bca.dps.mn.gov. The BCA handles both personal record requests and third-party checks. Fees apply and differ by request type. The BCA website explains what documents are needed for each type of check.
Minnesota Statute 13.87 governs access to criminal history data. Arrest-level data is generally available to the public. Full records with disposition history require a more formal request. If you need your own record, the BCA offers a personal history process that is different from third-party requests. Government agencies and licensed entities have broader access rights than private individuals under this statute.
Note: The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer shows the current and past state prison status of anyone from Watonwan County who has been in DOC custody.
Watonwan County Criminal Record Expungement
Minnesota Statute 609A.02 allows eligible people to petition for expungement of their criminal records. Expungement seals the record from public databases and most background check systems. Not all offenses qualify. The law specifies which charges are eligible and what waiting periods apply after the sentence is completed. For Watonwan County cases, the petition is filed with the District Court in Saint James.
The petition must be served on the BCA, the arresting law enforcement agency, and the prosecutor who handled the case. Each has a chance to object before the judge makes a decision. The full process typically takes several months. If granted, the record is hidden from public searches but can still be accessed by law enforcement under specific conditions defined by statute.
Legal aid offices in southern Minnesota can help you review your record and determine if expungement is an option for Watonwan County cases.
Cities in Watonwan County
Saint James is the county seat and largest city in Watonwan County. All criminal cases from anywhere in the county are filed with the District Court in Saint James.
No cities in Watonwan County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Records for Saint James and all other communities in the county are handled through the Watonwan County District Court.
Nearby Counties
Watonwan County is in south-central Minnesota. Before searching for criminal records, confirm where the case was filed.