Mille Lacs County Arrest Records

Mille Lacs County law enforcement personnel make arrests when an individual is caught committing a criminal offense or is reasonably suspected of doing so (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 629). Offenses that may lead to arrest are typically classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or petty misdemeanors. Also, arrests may occur with or without a warrant, provided probable cause exists.

County police agencies generate and maintain arrest records. These files are typically created at the point of booking and are frequently referenced in other documents generated by the criminal justice system. As such, arrest information may appear in other public files like Mille Lacs County court records and statewide criminal history reports.

Are Arrest Records Public in Mille Lacs County?

Yes, Mille Lacs County arrest records are generally considered public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. § 13.82). This statute grants the public the right to access law enforcement records maintained by government agencies, including those documenting arrests.

However, the Act also specifies exceptions to ensure individual safety, protect the integrity of investigations, and preserve due process. Specific arrest record details are withheld from public disclosure. These exemptions include files that reveal any of the following information:

• Active criminal investigative data
• Victims of sex crimes/sex trafficking
• 911 caller identities
• Child abuse victims and reporters
• Vulnerable adult maltreatment victims and reporters
• Confidential informants
• Undercover law enforcement officers
• Witnesses who request anonymity
• Juvenile witnesses
• Pawnshop/scrap metal customer identities
• Financial account numbers in inactive cases
• Law enforcement investigative techniques

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, subd. 2., the following details in a Mille Lacs County arrest record are public information:

• Name, age, sex, and last known address of an adult arrested individual
• Identities of agencies, units within agencies, and individuals involved in the action
• Time, date, and location of the arrest
• Charge, warrants, or other legal grounds for the action
• Whether and where the individual is being held in custody or incarcerated
• Time, date, and legal basis for any release from custody or incarceration
• Date, time, and legal basis for any turnover of custody, and the name of the receiving agency or person
• Use of weapons by law enforcement or others
• Any resistance encountered during the arrest
• Response or incident report number

Mille Lacs County Arrest Statistics

Per the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, Mille Lacs County recorded 430 arrests over the past two years. Among the reported offenses, "All Other Offenses" accounted for the largest category, with 104 arrests, representing approximately 24% of the total. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) followed as the second most common arrest, with 74 incidents (17%), while Simple Assault comprised 65 arrests (15%). Drug/Narcotic Offenses led to 50 arrests (12%).

Violent offenses, such as Aggravated Assault, accounted for 35 arrests (8%). Property and weapons-related crimes (Burglary, Fraud, and Weapon Law Violations) contributed to eight arrests (2% each).

Find Mille Lacs County Arrest Records

Local law enforcement agencies, particularly the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office, are primarily responsible for arrests within the county. Accordingly, individuals seeking arrest records should contact the police agency that made the arrest.

Most departments accept in-person, mail-in, or electronic inquiries. For example, the County Sheriff’s Office maintains an In-Custody Reports directory, which provides information on individuals in the county jail. For in-person requests, the following details are typically required:

• Full name of the arrestee
• Date of birth (if available)
• Date and location of the incident
• Requester’s contact information
• Valid government-issued ID (for access to restricted records)

If the arrestee was booked before their court appearance, inquiries should be directed to the arresting agency or the county jail division. For example, individuals arrested by the Sheriff’s Office may be located by contacting the Jail Division at (320) 983-8244.

For individuals remanded into custody following arraignment, inquirers may consult the county jail’s online In-Custody Reports or contact the Jail Division directly at (320) 983-8244. The Sheriff's Office is also a good resource for confirming an arrestee's location or custody status.

Free Arrest Record Search in Mille Lacs County

Arrest record seekers can perform a free arrest record search in Mille Lacs County using the Sheriff's Office’s online In-Custody Reports directory. This public tool offers essential arrest information, including the full name and age of the arrestee, charges or offenses committed, booking date, and current custody status, and bail or bond amount.

Additionally, individuals may access arrest information through third-party websites offering free arrest searches. These platforms often compile public information from law enforcement organizations, providing name-based search tools. However, users should verify details with official county sources, as third-party information may be incomplete, outdated, or limited in scope.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. State law does not establish a fixed period for removing arrest records. Once created, these records remain part of a person's criminal history unless expunged or sealed by court order. Agencies like the Minnesota BCA retain such records permanently unless otherwise directed. Generally, the only way to remove an arrest from one’s record in Mille Lacs County is through an approved expungement or sealing.

Expunge Mille Lacs County Arrest Records

Depending on the circumstances, expunging criminal records in Mille Lacs County can occur through either automatic expungement or by petition (Minn. Stat. § 609A). The following individuals qualify for automatic expungement:

• Individuals arrested and whose charges were dismissed after filing, unless dismissal resulted from a finding of incompetence.
• Individuals discharged under Minn. Stat. § 152.18, subd. 1, for certain controlled substance possession offenses (§ 152.024, § 152.025, § 152.027).
• Individuals with won actions or proceedings.
• Other qualifying scenarios outlined under Minn. Stat. § 609A.015.

For convictions that do not qualify for automatic relief, individuals should file a formal expungement petition with the prosecutorial agency with jurisdiction over the case. A court filing fee applies. The petition should be signed under oath and have the following information included:

• Petitioner’s full name and aliases
• Date of birth
• Address history from offense to present
• Purpose and legal grounds for expungement
• Offense details: date, jurisdiction, court file number, victim information, disposition, and related orders
• Rehabilitation efforts, if convicted
• Full criminal conviction history (in and out of state)
• All prior/pending charges, including diversions and stayed adjudications
• Previous requests for expungement, sealing, pardons, or stays
• If any protective or no-contact orders exist, a copy should be attached.

Mille Lacs County Arrest Warrants

A Mille Lacs County arrest warrant is a court-issued order authorizing law enforcement to apprehend a person suspected of a crime. A judge or magistrate may issue a warrant upon a finding of probable cause, often based on a complaint or affidavit (Minn. R. Crim. P. 3.02). Arrest warrants are typically issued when a suspect fails to appear in court, is charged with a serious offense, or cannot be located.

An arrest warrant usually contains the following information:

• The defendant’s full name or a known alias
• A description or identifying details
• The charged offense(s)
• The issuing judge’s signature
• Bail amount, if applicable

Do Mille Lacs County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants issued in Mille Lacs County remain indefinitely active until served, quashed by court order, or formally recalled for legal reasons. While they do not expire independently, certain factors—such as the suspect's death, dismissal of the underlying charges, or a judicial ruling—may result in the warrant's cancellation.