Carver County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Carver County
Arrest records in Carver County are classified as public information pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive statute establishes that government data, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically classified as private or confidential by state or federal law. Under § 13.82 of the Minnesota Statutes, law enforcement agencies must maintain and provide public access to certain arrest data.
It is important for requestors to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents the apprehension and booking of an individual suspected of a crime, while a conviction record indicates that a court has found the individual guilty of the charged offense. Under Minnesota law, both arrest and conviction records are generally public, though certain exceptions apply to juvenile records and cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state, including arrest data from Carver County. Public access to these records is governed by § 13.87 of the Minnesota Statutes, which specifies what information must be made available to the public.
What's in Carver County Arrest Records
Carver County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the detention and processing of individuals taken into custody. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Address of residence
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Reason for arrest
- Use of force information (if applicable)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance citations
- Charge classification (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)
- Charge description
- Case number
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking number
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bond type
- Payment status
- Release conditions
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearances
- Case disposition (if resolved)
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Known aliases
- Vehicle information
- Incident reports
- Witness statements
- Victim information (with certain privacy protections)
The specific content of arrest records may vary based on the arresting agency's protocols and the nature of the offense. Pursuant to § 13.82 of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy rights.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Carver County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Carver County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in place for accessing arrest records:
- Contact the Carver County Sheriff's Office directly:
- Submit a written request specifying the information sought
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Include your contact information for response
Carver County Sheriff's Office
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1231
Carver County Sheriff's Office
- Request records from the Carver County Court Administration:
- Complete a public records request form
- Specify the case number if known
- Pay applicable fees for document reproduction
Carver County Justice Center
604 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1420
Carver County District Court
- Submit a request to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension:
- Complete a public criminal history request form
- Provide required identification information
- Pay the statutory fee for record search
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-7000
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Pursuant to § 13.03 of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, government entities must respond to data requests in a timely manner, typically within 10 business days. Requestors should be prepared to pay reasonable fees for copying and staff time as permitted under Minnesota Statutes.
How To Find Carver County Arrest Records Online
Carver County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records and related information online. The following electronic methods are available to the public:
-
Minnesota Public Access Court Records (MNCIS):
- Visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch website
- Select "Minnesota Public Access (MPA) Remote View" option
- Create a user account if required
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Review case summaries and register of actions
-
Carver County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search:
- Navigate to the Carver County Sheriff's Office website
- Locate the "Jail Division" or "Inmate Search" section
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- View current custody status and basic arrest information
-
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Online Services:
- Access the BCA Public Criminal History Search
- Create an account and pay the required fee
- Enter the subject's full name and date of birth
- Receive a report of public criminal history data
-
Carver County Court Calendar:
- Visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch website
- Select "Court Calendar" option
- Search by date, case type, or defendant name
- View upcoming court appearances related to arrests
When utilizing online resources, users should be aware that some information may be subject to access restrictions pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which governs the classification and disclosure of law enforcement data. Additionally, online records may not contain complete arrest information, and supplemental requests may be necessary to obtain comprehensive records.
How To Search Carver County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Carver County arrest records without incurring fees. The following methods provide free or low-cost access to arrest information:
- In-Person Terminal Access at Carver County Justice Center:
- Visit the public access terminals at the courthouse
- No fee is charged for on-site searches
- Print fees may apply for document copies
Carver County Justice Center
604 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1420
Carver County District Court
-
Minnesota Public Access Court Records (Limited Information):
- Basic case information is available without charge
- Visit Minnesota Judicial Branch Access Case Records
- Search by name or case number
- View register of actions and case summaries
-
Carver County Sheriff's Office Website:
- Check the Recent Bookings section
- View current inmate roster
- Access basic arrest information at no cost
-
Local Law Enforcement Agency Records:
- Contact the arresting agency directly
- Request public data under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03
- First 100 pages may be provided free of charge for data subjects
-
Local Library Resources:
- Use public computers at Carver County Library branches
- Access court and law enforcement websites
- Obtain assistance from reference librarians
Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, individuals seeking information about themselves ("data subjects") have enhanced access rights and may be eligible for fee waivers in certain circumstances. Additionally, pursuant to § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities may waive fees if determining that the waiver is in the public interest.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Carver County
The process of removing arrest records from public access in Carver County involves either expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access). These distinct legal remedies are governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609A, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedures.
Expungement Eligibility:
Individuals may qualify for expungement under Minnesota law in the following circumstances:
- Cases resolved in the individual's favor (dismissals, acquittals)
- Certain diversion program completions
- Specific low-level offenses after waiting periods
- Juvenile offenses that would have been eligible if committed by an adult
- Victims of human trafficking convicted of prostitution
Sealing Process:
-
Determine eligibility:
- Review Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02 for qualifying offenses
- Calculate applicable waiting periods (typically 1-5 years)
- Ensure all conditions of sentence have been fulfilled
-
Prepare petition documents:
- Complete the Petition for Expungement form
- Gather supporting documentation
- Prepare proposed Order for Expungement
-
File petition with Carver County District Court:
- Submit documents to court administrator
- Pay filing fee (approximately $285) or request fee waiver
- Receive hearing date
Carver County Justice Center
604 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1420
Carver County District Court
-
Serve notice on all relevant agencies:
- Provide copies to prosecutor's office
- Serve Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
- Notify all agencies holding records
-
Attend expungement hearing:
- Present case before judge
- Address any objections from agencies
- Receive judicial determination
If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies to seal records related to the arrest and prosecution. However, pursuant to § 609A.03, subdivision 7, certain agencies may retain access to sealed records for limited purposes, including criminal investigations and background checks for certain sensitive positions.
The Minnesota Clean Slate Act, effective January 1, 2025, will implement an automated expungement process for certain qualifying offenses, potentially simplifying the record-clearing process for eligible individuals.
What Happens After Arrest in Carver County?
Following an arrest in Carver County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Minnesota law and court rules. This process typically progresses through the following stages:
-
Booking and Initial Detention:
- Arrestee is transported to Carver County Jail
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Personal information collection
- Medical screening
- Property inventory
- Initial custody determination
-
Charging Decision:
- Prosecutor reviews arrest reports
- Determines appropriate charges
- Files complaint or declines prosecution
- Sets initial bail recommendation
-
First Appearance/Arraignment:
- Occurs within 36 hours of arrest (excluding Sundays/holidays)
- Judge advises of charges and constitutional rights
- Bail or release conditions established
- Public defender appointed if eligible
- Pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure 5
-
Pretrial Proceedings:
- Omnibus hearing to address evidence issues
- Pretrial conference to discuss plea negotiations
- Motions hearings as needed
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
-
Case Resolution:
- Plea agreement
- Trial (bench or jury)
- Dismissal of charges
- Diversion program participation
-
Sentencing (if convicted):
- Pre-sentence investigation
- Victim impact statements
- Judicial determination of appropriate penalty
- Imposition of incarceration, probation, fines, or other sanctions
-
Post-Conviction:
- Appeal rights notification
- Probation supervision if applicable
- Incarceration if ordered
- Payment of fines and restitution
Throughout this process, court proceedings are conducted at the Carver County Justice Center:
Carver County Justice Center
604 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1420
Carver County District Court
The timeline for case resolution varies significantly based on case complexity, court calendar, and whether the defendant is in custody or released. Minnesota law establishes speedy trial rights under Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure 11.09, requiring trials within 60 days of demand for defendants in custody.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Carver County?
Arrest records in Carver County are maintained according to retention schedules established under Minnesota Statutes § 138.17, which governs government records management. These retention periods vary based on record type, offense severity, and final case disposition.
Standard Retention Periods:
- Arrest Reports (No Charges Filed): Typically retained for 3-7 years
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Generally kept for 10 years after case closure
- Gross Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 10-25 years after case closure
- Felony Case Files: Maintained for 25 years to permanent retention
- Homicide and Sexual Assault Cases: Permanently retained
- Juvenile Arrest Records: Subject to special retention rules under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
The Minnesota Records Retention Schedule provides detailed guidance to law enforcement agencies and courts regarding the maintenance of criminal justice records. Different agencies within Carver County may apply varying retention periods:
- Carver County Sheriff's Office: Follows law enforcement records retention schedule
- Municipal Police Departments: May have city-specific retention policies
- Carver County District Court: Adheres to judicial branch retention schedule
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension: Maintains permanent criminal history repository
Even after physical records reach their retention limit, digital fingerprint records and criminal history information may be maintained indefinitely in state and federal databases. The permanent retention of certain criminal history data serves multiple public interests, including:
- Supporting law enforcement investigations
- Enabling accurate background checks for sensitive positions
- Providing statistical data for criminal justice research
- Maintaining historical documentation of criminal justice activities
Individuals seeking information about specific record retention policies should contact the relevant agency directly or consult the Minnesota Historical Society's State Archives Department, which oversees government records management.
How to Find Mugshots in Carver County
Mugshot photographs, officially known as booking photographs, are created during the arrest booking process in Carver County. These images serve as official documentation of an individual's appearance at the time of processing into custody.
What Mugshots Are: Mugshots typically consist of front-facing and profile (side) photographs of arrested individuals, taken against a standardized background with identifying information. These photographs become part of the official arrest record and booking documentation.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained: In Carver County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:
Carver County Sheriff's Office
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1231
Carver County Sheriff's Office
Finding Mugshots: To obtain official booking photographs, interested parties may:
- Submit a formal public records request to the Carver County Sheriff's Office
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Specify the approximate date of arrest if known
- Pay any applicable reproduction fees
Can They Be Found Online: The Carver County Sheriff's Office does not maintain a public-facing database of booking photographs. Unlike some jurisdictions, Carver County does not routinely publish mugshots online as a matter of policy. This approach aligns with growing concerns about the potential negative impacts of publicly accessible mugshot databases.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially: The most reliable method for obtaining booking photographs is through direct request to the Carver County Sheriff's Office. Requests should be submitted in writing, specifying:
- The subject's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Approximate date of arrest
- Requestor's contact information
- Purpose of the request
Restrictions on Mugshot Access: Access to booking photographs may be limited in certain circumstances pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 26, which allows law enforcement agencies to withhold certain data when disclosure would:
- Interfere with an active investigation
- Reveal the identity of protected witnesses
- Endanger an individual's safety
- Compromise intelligence information
Additionally, mugshots related to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened privacy protections under Minnesota law and may not be accessible to the general public.