Wright County Arrest Records

In Wright County, Minnesota, arrests occur when an individual is suspected of committing or planning to commit a criminal offense. While Minnesota law mandates that officers must possess an arrest warrant before making an arrest, law enforcement officers may also make arrests without a warrant if the crime is committed in their presence or if they have probable cause to believe that the individual was involved in a crime. Probable cause is defined by Minnesota Statutes § 629.34 as the reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a person has committed or is about to commit a crime.

After an arrest in Wright County, arrestees are transported to the Wright County Jail, where they are booked and held in custody until their arraignment. During the booking process, the arresting agency creates a detailed arrest record and provides an official account of the arrest. Primarily, Wright County law enforcement agencies are responsible for maintaining these records. However, arrest-related information may also be featured within Wright County court records when the arrest results in a judicial proceeding.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wright County?

Yes, under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, most arrest records in Wright County are considered public records. This means that interested members of the public have the right to view and obtain copies of these records. However, the law also allows for certain exceptions. Some arrest records may be withheld from public access if they fall under specific exemptions outlined in Minnesota law. These exemptions include:

• Records that contain identifying information about victims of abuse, protected witnesses, or juveniles (Minnesota Statutes § 13.82).
• Records sealed, cleared, or expunged by court order.
• Social Security numbers and other private data.
• Arrest records that are part of an ongoing investigation.
• Records that, if disclosed, may endanger an individual's safety.
• Confidential arrest records are only accessible to specific individuals, such as the arrestee, their attorney, law enforcement personnel, court officials, and other authorized parties.

Despite these limitations, certain information from restricted records, such as the arrestee's basic identifying details and the charges filed against them, may still be publicly accessible.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Wright County typically include the following details:

• The full name, date of birth, address, and other identifying information of the individual arrested.
• A description of the alleged crime and the charges filed.
• The name of the arresting agency and the arresting officer.
• The time, date, and location of the arrest.
• Mugshots and fingerprints of the arrestee.
• Information on bail or bond, if applicable.
• The release date, if the individual is released from custody.

Find Wright County Arrest Records

Arrest records are maintained by various agencies in Wright County, including the Wright County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and state-level agencies such as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Inquirers may send written requests to the County Sheriff's Office at:

Wright County Sheriff's Office
3800 Braddock Ave. NE
Buffalo, MN 55313
Phone: (763) 682-1162

Free Arrest Record Search in Wright County

Wright County provides free access to arrest records through its Sheriff's Office website and the BCA's public search tool. These online resources allow individuals to perform searches at no cost. Additionally, several third-party websites aggregate arrest record data from county sheriff's offices, police departments, and court clerks. While many third-party services offer basic arrest records for free, they may charge a fee for full reports, which may include additional details such as criminal history.

Get Wright County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Wright County are official documents that contain details about a person's criminal activities, including arrests, court hearings, and sentencing. According to Minnesota Statutes § 13.87, criminal records are not fully public until 15 years after the subject completes their sentence. Before this time, only the record's subject, law enforcement officers, and authorized individuals or agencies could access these records.

Individuals seeking criminal records in Wright County can submit a request to the Wright County Sheriff's Office, the district court clerk's office, or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA maintains a comprehensive database of criminal history records for the entire state, including Wright County.

The BCA offers various ways to request criminal records:

• Online Requests: Requesters can use the BCA's public access tool to search for criminal history records by providing the subject's first and last name and their date of birth.
• Mail Requests: Written requests for criminal records can be mailed to the BCA, accompanied by the necessary identification and payment.
• In-Person Requests: Criminal records can also be inspected physically at the BCA's office in St. Paul. A notarized Informed Consent Form signed by the subject is required for full access to a criminal record. In-person inspections are available between 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

When requesting criminal history records, record subjects pay an $8.00 fee, while third-party requesters are charged $15.00. Processing times for mail requests typically take up to two weeks.

Wright County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record documents the event of an arrest, including details about the individual apprehended, the charges, and the circumstances of the arrest. However, an arrest record does not necessarily indicate guilt, as the individual may be acquitted, or the charges may be dismissed.

In contrast, a criminal record provides a more comprehensive account of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including court proceedings and sentencing. Criminal records include information about multiple arrests and convictions. Criminal records also confirm that the individual has been found guilty of the crimes listed, whereas an arrest record alone does not imply a conviction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Wright County, Minnesota, arrests remain on a person's record indefinitely unless they are expunged or the individual receives a pardon from the state. Under Minnesota law, there are no automatic timelines for removing arrests from records. Arrests stay on the record unless an expungement process is completed, which removes or seals the record from public access.

Expunge Wright County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process in which a person's arrest records are sealed or restricted from public access, meaning that these records may no longer be visible to the general public. However, they remain accessible to law enforcement and other entities within the criminal justice system.

Individuals in Wright County must meet one of the following conditions to be eligible for expungement:

• No charges were filed after the arrest.
• The individual was arrested due to mistaken identity.
• The charges were dismissed due to a lack of probable cause.
• The arrestee has not been convicted of any gross misdemeanors or felonies within 10 years prior to the arrest.

The expungement process typically includes the following steps:

• Complete Expungement Forms: The first step in the expungement process is to fill out all relevant forms, which are specific to the agency holding the arrest records. These forms must be submitted to agencies such as the Wright County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and any other law enforcement agency that may hold the arrest records.
• Gather Supporting Documentation: Individuals must gather all necessary supporting documents, such as character references, proof of sentence completion, affidavits, and any other evidence supporting their request for expungement.
• File an Expungement Petition: File the petition in the Wright County District Court or the jurisdiction where the arrest or conviction occurred. Filing an expungement petition typically involves a fee, although fee waivers may be available for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship.
• Attend an Expungement Hearing: The court will schedule a hearing to review the expungement petition. During this hearing, the court will consider the petitioner's criminal history, the nature of the offense, and any objections from the prosecutor or other parties. Under Minnesota law, a notice of expungement must be served to all involved agencies and entities, providing them the opportunity to object.
• Court Decision and Order: If the court grants the expungement, it will issue an order that directs all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the records. If the expungement is denied, individuals may be able to appeal the court's decision to a higher court, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

Wright County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to apprehend an individual suspected of committing a crime. In Wright County, arrest warrants are typically issued by the Wright County District Court, often at the request of the County Attorney's Office. Arrest warrants do not indicate guilt; rather, they represent probable cause that an individual may be involved in a criminal offense.

• The full name and any known physical descriptors of the suspect.
• The date of issuance and the name of the issuing authority.
• A description of the alleged offense.
• An arrest clause granting the authority to detain the individual.

Wright County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals looking for information about active arrest warrants in Wright County can access the Wright County Sheriff's Office website, which provides a searchable database of outstanding warrants. This database includes details such as the suspect's name, physical descriptors, the offense for which the warrant was issued, and the date of issuance. For warrants not listed online, individuals can contact the Wright County Sheriff's Office or the court clerk's office where the warrant was issued. Search queries typically require the first and last name of the individual in question.

Do Wright County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Wright County do not expire and remain active until they are executed or withdrawn by the court. However, under Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, arrests must typically be made between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless the issuing authority specifies otherwise or if exigent circumstances exist. Arrests on Sundays are generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by the court or in cases of immediate necessity.