Criminal records of Winona County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. WinonaCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official online court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the district court clerk's office. Below is a detailed guide on searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Winona
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- The person's full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Court file number
Online Search
- WinonaCourt.us — start here for a quick check of publicly available information about a criminal case in Winona County.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — the official portal of the Minnesota judicial branch. Select Winona County from the list and enter the party's name or case number. The system will display case data, scheduled hearings, and financial assessments. Confidential cases and cases restricted under Minn. R. Pub. Access 8, subd. 2, are not displayed in the results.
- Department of Corrections Locator — allows you to find individuals under the supervision of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. A separate sex offender registry is also available for public search.
For a comprehensive criminal history check, MCRO does not replace an official check. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search (CHS) system, which is the proper tool for background checks.
In-Person Visit
Anyone can view open court cases directly at the courthouse. Winona County District Court is located in Winona and has first-instance jurisdiction, including over criminal cases.
The courthouse usually has public terminals where cases can be searched. The court administration office will assist if a specific case or document is needed.
Mail Request
A written request for copies of criminal records can be sent to the Winona County District Court Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. Add payment for copying — fee details are provided below.
Search Winona Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Minnesota is assigned a unique number. The format looks like this:
XX-CR-YY-NNNNN
- XX — two-digit county code (for Winona, it's 85)
- CR — case type; CR stands for Criminal. Other common codes: TR (traffic), JV (juvenile)
- YY — last two digits of the year the case was filed
- NNNNN — sequential case number
If you know the case number, enter it into the MCRO search field — this is the quickest way to find the desired record. Searching by number returns an exact result, while searching by name may yield multiple matches, especially for common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Winona
Criminal case records contain several key elements. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to a specific section of the Minnesota Statutes that was violated |
| Felony | A serious crime; punishable by imprisonment for more than one year |
| Gross Misdemeanor | A mid-level offense; up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $3,000 |
| Misdemeanor | A less serious offense; up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000 |
| Amended charge | A charge modified by the prosecutor after the initial filing — usually to a lesser offense |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled, or conditions are awaited
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, and the case is closed
Types of Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the charges are read to the accused, and they state their plea (guilty / not guilty)
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed (usually only for felonies)
- Pre-trial — parties discuss possible plea deals and exchange evidence
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — the imposition of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — checks compliance with sentencing conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not guilty — acquitted
- Dismissed — the case was closed without a verdict
- Acquitted — acquitted by court or jury decision
- Stay of adjudication — the court postpones the verdict; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed
Cases for which an expungement petition has been filed and granted by a judge disappear from public search results.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Winona
Regular copies of case documents can be downloaded through MCRO or obtained from the court administration office. However, for official purposes — employment, immigration, licensing — a certified copy is often required.
Where to Apply
Winona County Court Administration issues certified copies of court documents.
To obtain a certified copy:
- Apply in person or send a written request by mail
- Provide the case number or full name and date of birth
- Present valid photo ID (for in-person visits)
- Pay the certification fee
If you need a complete criminal history of a person (not just one court document), contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Their CHS system is the only official source of the state's consolidated criminal history. For apostille of a document, it must first be properly certified.
Arrest records that did not result in a court case are maintained by law enforcement agencies and the BCA. Petitions to expunge arrest records are filed separately.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Winona
Fees for copies of court documents in Minnesota are set at the state level. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.25 per page | Minn. Stat. § 357.021 |
| Document certification | $10.00 per document | Minn. Stat. § 357.021 |
| Public criminal history search via BCA | $15.00 | BCA fee schedule |
Processing Times
- Online via MCRO — results are available immediately for cases in the system
- In-person visit — usually the same day if the case is not archived
- Mail request — from a few business days to two weeks, depending on the workload of the office
- BCA (criminal history) — online requests are processed within minutes; mail requests up to 10 business days
Older cases stored in the archive may require additional time for retrieval. If you are unsure whether the desired record is in the electronic system, call the court office in advance. Additional information on types of court records and access methods can be found on the Court Records page of the Minnesota State Law Library.