St. Eele County Public Records / St. Eele County Arrest Records

St. Eele County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in St. Eele County in 2026

StEeleRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in St. Eele County, including booking records, charge information, custody status, and court case details. Members of the public may find records covering recent arrests, warrant information, mugshots, bond amounts, and associated criminal charges. The information presented reflects what law enforcement agencies and courts have made available through official channels and may not reflect the most current case status.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following sections outline each available method in detail.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Steele County Sheriff's Office Records Department maintains booking records and arrest information for individuals processed through the county jail. Members of the public may access the jail roster, which is updated on a regular basis and includes the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and custody status. Residents who live outside city limits but within Steele County submit records requests directly through the Sheriff's Office. City residents are directed to the Owatonna Police Department Records Division, located at 204 E Pearl St, Owatonna, MN.

Steele County Sheriff's Office
2500 Alexander St. SW
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-4800
Steele County Sheriff's Office

2. Local Police Departments

The Owatonna Police Department serves as the primary municipal law enforcement agency within Steele County. Arrest logs and press releases containing arrest information are periodically published through the department's official channels. Records requests for incidents occurring within Owatonna city limits are processed through the Owatonna Police Department Records Division.

Owatonna Police Department Records Division
204 E Pearl St
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-4380
City of Owatonna

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates a statewide court case search portal through which members of the public may search by name to locate criminal case filings associated with an arrest. Court records reflect charges formally filed by the prosecutor, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. The Steele County District Court handles criminal matters arising from arrests made within the county.

Steele County District Court
111 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-7700
Minnesota Judicial Branch

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the state's criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a criminal history record request through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The BCA record includes arrests, charges, and dispositions reported by law enforcement agencies statewide. A fee of $15.00 applies to public criminal history requests submitted to the BCA.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Minnesota BCA

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Address: 2500 Alexander St. SW, Owatonna, MN 55060
The exterior lobby is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Records division hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (507) 444-4800
Bring valid government-issued photo identification and any known booking number or arrest date
Copy fees apply per page (see fee schedule below)

Police Departments:

Owatonna Police Department Records Division, 204 E Pearl St, Owatonna, MN 55060, Phone: (507) 444-4380
Records requests may be submitted in person during business hours
Fees for copies are assessed per page

Clerk of Court:

Address: 111 E Main St, Owatonna, MN 55060
Criminal records division handles case file inspection
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (507) 444-7700
Case files may be inspected at public access terminals in the courthouse
Copy fees: $0.25 per page for standard copies; certified copies carry an additional fee

By Mail:

Mailing address: Steele County Sheriff's Office, 2500 Alexander St. SW, Owatonna, MN 55060
Written requests must include the arrestee's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's full contact information
Include a check or money order payable to Steele County for applicable copy fees
Processing time: 5–10 business days

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (507) 444-4800
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed record information is not released by phone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person

Through Legal Channels:

Licensed attorneys may submit records requests on behalf of clients
Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access
Records obtained through discovery in criminal proceedings are governed by court order

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Owatonna PD, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Eele County

Arrest records in Steele County are public records under Minnesota law. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to make arrest data available to the public, including the arrested person's name, date and time of arrest, the charges, and the arresting agency. This statute reflects Minnesota's commitment to government transparency and public accountability in law enforcement activities.

Arrest records serve multiple public interests, including government transparency, public safety awareness, community notification, journalism and research, background screening, and use in legal proceedings. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.01, establishes the framework under which government data—including law enforcement records—is classified and disclosed.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Minnesota law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Active investigation information may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
Undercover officer identities are protected
Confidential informant information is not disclosed
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain cases
Witness protection participants are not identified in public records

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the FCRA
Minnesota's ban-the-box law restricts when employers may inquire about criminal history during the hiring process
An arrest without a conviction does not establish guilt and must be distinguished from a conviction record in employment and housing decisions

What's in St. Eele County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by the Steele County Sheriff's Office and local police departments contain several categories of information. The scope of what is included in a public arrest record differs from a full police report or a comprehensive criminal history.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer name and badge number
Booking date, time, and booking number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges and statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence or gang-related designations, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in public records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount and bond type (cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond)
Release date and time, if applicable
Release conditions, if public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment, if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest or police report
Witness statements and victim information
Evidence collected or investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not fully available in the public arrest record
Court records: Reflect legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records: Document convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources, including court and law enforcement databases

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in St. Eele County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Steele County depends on the requesting agency and the format of the records provided. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities may charge for the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying government data, but may not charge for the time spent determining whether data is public.

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.25 per page
Certified copies (court records)	$14.00 per document
BCA criminal history (public request)	$15.00 per subject
Electronic records (where available)	Actual cost of reproduction
In-person inspection	No charge for inspection only

Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office include cash, check, and money order payable to Steele County. The Clerk of Court accepts cash, check, and credit card for copy fees. The BCA accepts payment by check or money order for mailed requests.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where the data is sought for a public benefit purpose. Requestors seeking a fee waiver must submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

How To Delete Arrest Records in St. Eele County

In Minnesota, the legal process for removing arrest records from public access is referred to as expungement. Expungement results in the sealing of records held by law enforcement agencies, courts, and the BCA, restricting public access while allowing law enforcement to retain access for official purposes. Expungement differs from destruction: sealed records are not physically destroyed but are removed from public view.

Under Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02, individuals may petition for expungement in the following circumstances:

The case was resolved in favor of the petitioner (acquittal, dismissal, or charges not filed)
The petitioner successfully completed a diversion program or stay of adjudication
The petitioner was convicted of a petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or certain gross misdemeanor or felony offenses and has completed the sentence, with a waiting period that varies by offense level

The petition for expungement is filed with the Steele County District Court. The court notifies all agencies holding records related to the arrest, and each agency may object. A hearing is scheduled, and the judge determines whether expungement serves the interests of justice.

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain the case number and full record of the arrest and disposition from the Clerk of Court
Complete the Minnesota expungement petition form, available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch
File the petition with the Steele County District Court and pay the filing fee
Serve copies of the petition on all agencies listed in the statute
Attend the scheduled expungement hearing
If granted, the court issues an order directing all agencies to seal their records

Steele County District Court
111 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-7700
Minnesota Judicial Branch

Individuals who cannot afford an attorney may seek assistance from Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services or the Volunteer Lawyers Network.

What Happens After Arrest in St. Eele County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Steele County Detention Center, which operates under the Steele County Sheriff's Office. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

Steele County Detention Center
2500 Alexander St. SW
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-4800
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Steele County Detention Center

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the detention center, the booking process is initiated. This process includes recording personal information, photographing the individual (mugshot), collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying personal property, issuing a jail uniform, and completing medical and mental health screenings. Booking duration varies based on facility volume but is completed before the individual is assigned to housing.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Minnesota law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge within 36 hours of arrest, excluding weekends and holidays, for a first appearance. At this hearing, the court formally notifies the individual of the charges, determines eligibility for a public defender, and sets bond or bail. Hearings may be conducted via video conference from the detention center.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash and is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the judge or a bond schedule.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set at 10% of the bond amount in Minnesota.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear, with no monetary payment required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.

No Bond: The individual is held without bond when the offense is serious, the individual poses a flight risk or danger to the community, or an immigration hold or out-of-state warrant is present.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the individual is processed for release, which takes approximately one to eight hours. A court date is provided, and written conditions of release are issued. If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody and is assigned to a housing unit within the detention center.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:
Steele County Public Defender's Office
111 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-7700
Minnesota Board of Public Defense

Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. The application is completed at the first appearance.

Private Attorney:
Members of the public may hire private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The Minnesota State Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service.

Charging Decision:

The Steele County Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Steele County Attorney's Office
630 Florence Ave
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-7440
Steele County

Arraignment: At arraignment, the formal charges are read and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are set.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence, including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio or video recordings. Pretrial motions may include motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges.

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges are dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or legal defects
Diversion Programs: Eligible individuals may complete pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court, resulting in dismissal upon successful completion
Plea Agreement: The defendant accepts a guilty or no contest plea in exchange for a negotiated sentence
Trial: The case proceeds to a jury or bench trial; if convicted, a sentencing hearing is scheduled

Sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination thereof. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention.

Important Contacts:

Steele County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
2500 Alexander St. SW
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-4800
Steele County Sheriff's Office

Steele County District Court (Clerk of Court)
111 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-7700
Minnesota Judicial Branch

Steele County Attorney's Office
630 Florence Ave
Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: (507) 444-7440
Steele County

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if needed
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in St. Eele County?

Records Retention Overview:

Records retention in Steele County is governed by state law and the policies of each maintaining agency. The Minnesota Department of Administration issues records retention schedules that apply to county law enforcement and court records. Retention periods vary based on the type of record and the disposition of the associated case.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, BCA, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the individual's permanent criminal history

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the BCA and court records systems
Local law enforcement records are retained for a minimum of seven years

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement records: Retained for a minimum of seven years
Court records: Retained permanently unless expunged by court order
BCA repository: Records remain unless expunged

Acquittals (Not Guilty Verdicts):

Court records: Retained permanently unless sealed or expunged
Local law enforcement: Retained for a minimum of seven years
Eligible for expungement petition

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records: Retained for a minimum of three years
Eligible for expungement in many circumstances

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical booking paperwork and fingerprint cards: Retained per the applicable schedule
Digital records management systems: Often retained permanently
Mugshot databases: Retention varies by agency policy
Court electronic records: Retained permanently in the Minnesota court system

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain arrest records indefinitely
These databases are not controlled by law enforcement and may not update records following expungement
The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate and current information

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained for a minimum of seven years; investigative files are retained based on case type and outcome.

Owatonna Police Department: Arrest records and incident reports are retained per the Minnesota records retention schedule, with a minimum of seven years for most arrest records.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently; misdemeanor case files are retained for a minimum of ten years; electronic records are retained permanently.

BCA State Repository: The BCA maintains arrest and disposition records for all jurisdictions in Minnesota. Records are retained indefinitely unless expunged by court order.

FBI Database: The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level, accessible to law enforcement nationwide. Federal retention is permanent for most criminal history records.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in all major databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; not reported on most standard background checks
Expungement: Local records are sealed; BCA updates its repository; FBI database may retain a notation; removal from third-party databases is not guaranteed
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; may be eligible for immediate expungement petition

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Minnesota's ban-the-box law restricts when employers may consider criminal history during the hiring process. Arrests without convictions cannot be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions in many jurisdictions.

How to Check Retention Status:

Contact the Steele County Sheriff's Records Division at (507) 444-4800
Submit a public records request for information about a specific arrest record
Fees may apply for copies of records provided in response to the request