Dodge County Arrest Records

Dodge County, Minnesota, arrest records provide details of the person's arrests and law enforcement detentions. These records are often reflected in other public records, like criminal case files and court dockets. For example, the public may access Dodge County arrest records through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's (BCA) criminal history archives or prosecutorial records from offices of various District Attorneys, or directly through Dodge County Court Records.

A person may be arrested in Dodge County as part of an active investigation, following the issuance of an arrest warrant, or because they committed a crime in the presence of law enforcement officers. People who are arrested are generally held at the Dodge County Jail, which is under the administration of the Sheriff's office. The Sheriff's office handles and maintains arrest records primarily, including booking details and charges.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dodge County?

Yes, Dodge County arrest records are considered pubic records according to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. However, certain arrest records may be restricted from public access for safety, ethical, or privacy reasons. For example, juvenile arrest records are restricted from public access to protect the privacy and identity of minors. Sealed or expunged records and records from ongoing investigations may also be restricted from the public for various administrative and legal reasons. The public may request access to arrest records where such records do not fall into the above categories or do not contain trade secrets. Dodge County arrest records may be accessed through the Sheriff's office at:

Dodge County Sheriff's Office
22 6th Street East, Dept. 201
Mantorville, Minnesota 55955
(507) 635-6200 - Non-Emergency
Fax: (507) 635-6225

Dodge County Arrest Statistics

Dodge County arrest statistics are publicly accessible through the sheriff's office or the FBI UCR website. Over the past two years, the sheriff's office has executed 347 arrests for all other offenses, 43 arrests for simple assaults, and 14 arrests for aggravated assaults. There were seven burglary and larceny arrests, six arrests for motor vehicle theft, and two arrests for rape. The county recorded no arrests for arson, murder, or robbery.

Find Dodge County Arrest Records

Dodge County residents may use both county and state resources to access arrest records. These records are available to the public through records requests. Individuals may approach the sheriff's office or any other relevant government agency to submit an in-person records request. Mail-in requests may also be used to access arrest records. The county provides remote access to these records through the Active Warrants website, which contains a list of individuals with warrants out for their arrest. The state maintains a Search Criminal History Offender website, which is used for criminal history checks online, while the Case Search - MCRO website provides online access to criminal court records.

Dodge County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest and criminal records are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same. As the name implies, an arrest record simply means details about a person who has been detained by law enforcement officers. Such detention may be for investigations or on reasonable suspicion, but the person has not been convicted of the suspected crime. Arrest records generally contain the date, time, and location where the person was arrested.

Conversely, criminal records provide a more detailed and comprehensive history of a person's interaction with the criminal justice system. Criminal records typically include the charges filed, legal proceedings, convictions, and the court ruling. An individual may have an arrest record without being convicted of any crime. On the other hand, only a person who has been tried by due process of the law, convicted, and sentenced by a court will have a criminal record. Thus, arrest records are simply an initiating part of criminal records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records will remain on an individual's record indefinitely in Dodge County unless they are formally removed. Arrest records may persist if no charges were formally filed or if they were and the person was acquitted. However, individuals who meet certain requirements may apply to have their arrest record expunged. For example, if the person was not convicted or they have fulfilled certain rehabilitation requirements. Other requirements include:

• The required waiting time must be satisfied
• There must be no new convictions within the waiting period.
• All parts of the sentence must be complete, including payment of fines and probation.
• Juvenile records may generally be eligible.
• There must be no pending case against the applicant when filing the application.
• The petition must be filed in the court that handled the case.

Dodge County Arrest Warrants

Dodge County arrest warrants are orders issued to law enforcement agents by a judge or magistrate that empower them to detain a person. Such an individual must have been suspected of committing a crime or have been seen in the act of the crime. Usually, judges and magistrates issue warrants based on sworn affidavits by law enforcement officers, showing probable cause for arrest. They may also be issued after an individual jumps their bail by failing to show up in court or otherwise violates their parole, which is known as bench warrants.

A valid arrest warrant generally contains details like the suspect's name, the alleged offence, the date it was issued, and the applicable jurisdiction. Law enforcement officers must follow legal protocol when executing arrests, and one of them is to obtain a warrant, which must be presented to the detainee as soon as possible.

Do Dodge County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Dodge County arrest warrants do not have any expiry date or policy. An arrest warrant remains valid until the subject of the warrant is in law enforcement custody. An arrest warrant may also expire after it is recalled and quashed by the court that issued it or one of superior jurisdiction. In situations where the underlying issue that caused the court to issue the warrant in the first place has been dismissed, they become inactive. In cases of crimes with statutes of limitations, the warrant may not expire with the cause of action, but it will be a futile effort. Lastly, while warrants for misdemeanors are not prioritized like warrants for felonies, a misdemeanor warrant is still legally valid and actionable till the court recalls it.

Expunge Dodge County Arrest Records

In Dodge County, individuals may apply to the court to have their arrest records sealed or expunged. However, such individuals must meet certain conditions for eligibility. Some of the requirements include:

• There were no charges filed following the arrest
• The applicant has completed probation or diversion programs.
• The charges were dismissed, or the person was acquitted
• The applicant has completed the waiting period without reoffending.

The Dodge County expungement process begins with confirming if you meet the above conditions. Individuals who may gather their relevant documents and obtain a Petition form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. The form that generally starts the expungement process is the EXP102: Notice of Hearing and Petition for Expungement. The individual must file the petition to the appropriate court, joining the relevant law enforcement agency and the Proposed Order to the process. If the petition is allowed at the court hearing, the arrest records become sealed and inaccessible.