Yellow Medicine County Criminal Records
Yellow Medicine County criminal history records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Granite Falls. The county has a population of about 10,000 and is served by the 8th Judicial District. Court case records are searchable through the state's free MCRO system. The Sheriff handles all local arrest and jail data. This page explains how to search for criminal records in Yellow Medicine County, which offices to contact, and how state law governs access to these records.
Yellow Medicine County Overview
Yellow Medicine County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office is at 930 4th St Suite 1, Granite Falls MN 56241. The main phone is (320) 564-2130. For jail inquiries, call (320) 564-5901. The Sheriff handles all law enforcement in Yellow Medicine County, including arrests, booking, and jail operations. All agencies in the county route bookings through the Sheriff's jail. Arrest records and booking data are public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, though some details may be restricted during active investigations.
Yellow Medicine County is in west-central Minnesota, situated along the Minnesota River and bordering South Dakota. The Sheriff's Office is the primary source for arrest records, incident reports, and jail data in the county. For records requests, contact the office by phone during business hours or visit in person at the Granite Falls address. Written requests may also be accepted. Call first to confirm the format needed and any applicable fees before submitting a request.
The screenshot below is from the Yellow Medicine County District Court page on mncourts.gov, which provides contact information and hours for the court in Granite Falls.
The mncourts page for Yellow Medicine County is useful for confirming court hours and finding the right contact for records requests at the Granite Falls courthouse.
| Office | Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 930 4th St Suite 1, Granite Falls MN 56241 |
| Main Phone | (320) 564-2130 |
| Jail Phone | (320) 564-5901 |
Yellow Medicine County Criminal Court Records
Yellow Medicine County is served by the 8th Judicial District. The District Court is at the Yellow Medicine County Courthouse in Granite Falls and handles all criminal charges filed in the county. Case records include charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. Minnesota Court Records Online is the primary free tool for searching these records online.
You can access MCRO at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Search by name or case number to find Yellow Medicine County cases. The system shows docket entries, case status, and hearing information. Some records are sealed or restricted under court order or statute and will not appear in public results. If a record does not show online, the court clerk in Granite Falls can help you locate it through the court's internal files.
The screenshot below is from Minnesota Court Records Online, the statewide court system that includes Yellow Medicine County criminal case data.
MCRO is free, requires no registration, and is the fastest way to check whether a criminal case exists in Yellow Medicine County District Court.
In a small county like Yellow Medicine, the clerk's office tends to be accessible and can often help locate records that are not fully visible through the online system. For any case that appears restricted or missing from the MCRO results, a quick phone call to the courthouse in Granite Falls is usually the best next step.
Yellow Medicine County Jail and Custody Monitoring
The Yellow Medicine County jail is operated by the Sheriff's Office in Granite Falls. For current custody information, call the jail at (320) 564-5901. The county does not currently publish a public online inmate roster, so the jail phone line is the most direct way to confirm whether someone is in custody. You can also check MCRO for active cases with detention or bail orders, which may reflect custody status after a court appearance.
Yellow Medicine County participates in the VINE victim notification system at vinelink.com. Victims and others can register to receive free automatic alerts when an inmate's custody status changes, including releases, transfers, or escapes. VINE works for both the local county jail and any state DOC facility where an inmate might be transferred. The service runs around the clock and is free to use.
The screenshot below is from VINE Link, the national custody tracking system that Yellow Medicine County uses for victim notification and inmate status monitoring.
VINE registration only takes a few minutes and saves you from needing to check manually on custody status in Yellow Medicine County.
Background Checks and BCA Criminal History
For a certified statewide criminal history that covers Yellow Medicine County, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is the main source. The BCA holds arrest records, charges, and dispositions from all Minnesota counties. Access background check services at bca.dps.mn.gov. Personal and third-party background checks are both available through the BCA's online portal. Fees apply depending on the type of check and who is requesting it.
Minnesota Statute 13.87 governs access to criminal history data. Arrest-level data is generally available to the public. Full records with dispositions may require a formal request with identification. Government bodies and licensed entities have access rights that go beyond what is available to private individuals. If you need your own criminal history record, the BCA provides a personal record request process separate from third-party checks.
Note: The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer is free and lets you check whether anyone from Yellow Medicine County is currently in a state prison or has been in DOC custody.
Yellow Medicine County Criminal Record Expungement
Minnesota Statute 609A.02 gives eligible people the right to petition for expungement of their criminal records. Expungement seals the record from most public searches. Not all offenses qualify. The law lists which charges are eligible and how long you must wait after the sentence is completed before filing. For Yellow Medicine County cases, you file the petition with the District Court in Granite Falls.
The petition must be served on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecuting office. Each gets a period to respond or object. A judge reviews all responses and makes the final ruling. If granted, the record is hidden from public databases but remains accessible to law enforcement under specific conditions. The process usually takes a few months from filing to a final decision. In a smaller county like Yellow Medicine, caseloads are lower, which can sometimes speed things up slightly compared to larger counties.
Legal aid organizations that serve western Minnesota can help Yellow Medicine County residents determine if their records qualify and assist with the expungement filing process in Granite Falls.
Cities in Yellow Medicine County
Granite Falls is the county seat and largest city in Yellow Medicine County. All criminal cases from across the county are filed with the District Court in Granite Falls.
No cities in Yellow Medicine County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Criminal records for Granite Falls, Canby, and all other communities in the county are handled through the Yellow Medicine County District Court.
Nearby Counties
Yellow Medicine County is in southwest Minnesota near the South Dakota border. Check where a case was filed before searching records in a neighboring county.