Criminal records in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, can be accessed through several channels. CrowwingCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. Additional access points include the state court records system, the Crow Wing County Attorney's Office case search tool, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office at the Crow Wing County Judicial Center in Brainerd.
How to Search Criminal Records in Crow Wing
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Crow Wing County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- CrowwingCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Crow Wing County.
- LENS Case Search — The Crow Wing County Attorney's Office maintains this tool, which contains information on adult criminal cases filed in Crow Wing County District Court. You can search by defendant name or case number.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — The statewide portal operated by the Minnesota Judicial Branch displays case records from all Minnesota district courts, including Crow Wing County. You can filter results by county to narrow your search. MCRO shows case, hearing, and monetary judgment information but does not provide certified records.
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) — For formal background checks, the BCA offers the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search. This is the recommended system for comprehensive criminal history inquiries.
- Minnesota Department of Corrections — Search for individuals currently under DOC supervision or listed as fugitives, as well as non-compliant predatory offender registrants.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known — allows direct lookup)
In Person
Visit the Crow Wing County District Court at the Judicial Center in Brainerd. Public access terminals are available for searching court records, and court staff can assist with locating case files. You may also request copies at the clerk's office window.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Crow Wing County Court Administrator's office. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. For statewide criminal history records, submit a request directly to the BCA.
Search Crow Wing Criminal Cases by Case Number
Minnesota uses a standardized case number format across all district courts. Understanding the format helps you locate records quickly.
A typical Crow Wing County criminal case number looks like this: 18-CR-25-1234
- 18 — County code (Crow Wing County is county 18 in the Minnesota court system)
- CR — Case type code (CR = criminal; other codes include TR for traffic, CV for civil, etc.)
- 25 — Year the case was filed (2025)
- 1234 — Sequential case number assigned by the court
If you have the full case number, enter it directly into MCRO or the LENS case search to pull up the specific case record without needing to search by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Crow Wing
Criminal case records in Crow Wing County contain several categories of information. Here is what each data point means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Minnesota statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Minn. Stat. § 609.52 for theft) |
| Severity level | Felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor |
| Original charges | Charges as initially filed by the Crow Wing County Attorney |
| Amended charges | Charges modified through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, motions pending)
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled, case fully resolved
Hearing Types
- Arraignment / First Appearance — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Omnibus / Pre-trial Hearing — Evidentiary and legal issues are addressed before trial
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where the case is decided on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court
- Continued for Dismissal — Case held open; charges dismissed if defendant meets conditions within a set period
- Stay of Adjudication — Judgment withheld pending successful completion of conditions
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Crow Wing
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. MCRO results are not certified.
Where to Request
- Crow Wing County Court Administrator's Office — Handles certified copies of court documents filed in Crow Wing County District Court.
- Minnesota BCA — Issues certified criminal history records for statewide background checks.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Crow Wing County Judicial Center and request copies at the clerk's window. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Court Administrator specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents needed. Include payment by check or money order.
- Online (BCA only) — Use the BCA's online criminal history search system for statewide records.
Contact Information
Crow Wing County Court Administrator
For legal referrals and additional resources in Crow Wing County, the Minnesota State Law Library maintains a directory of local services.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Crow Wing
Fees for court record copies in Minnesota are set by statute (Minn. Stat. § 357.021).
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy of a court document (first page) | $14.00 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $0.25 |
| BCA Public Criminal History Search (online) | $15.00 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Typically processed the same day or within one to two business days, depending on document availability.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing.
- BCA online search — Results are generally available immediately upon completion of the search.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Court Administrator's office before submitting payment.