Winona County Public Records /Winona County Criminal Records

Winona County Criminal Records

What Is Winona County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Winona County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the local, county, and state levels.

Distinctions among record types are important for members of the public to understand:

Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. An arrest does not constitute a conviction, and individuals may have arrest records without any resulting conviction.
Felony vs. misdemeanor: Under Minnesota law, felonies are the most serious offenses and carry potential sentences exceeding one year in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors carry maximum sentences of 90 days in a local jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Gross misdemeanors occupy an intermediate category, with penalties up to one year and/or a $3,000 fine.
Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile records are presumptively sealed under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171 and are not available for routine public inspection.
Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest. Historical records document past proceedings that have been resolved.

The principal agencies maintaining Winona County criminal records include:

Winona County Sheriff's Office 202 W. 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6362 Winona County Sheriff's Office

Winona Police Department 69 E. 4th St., Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6302 Winona Police Department

Winona County District Court 171 W. 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6380 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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

Records maintained across these agencies include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, pleas entered, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and probation or parole conditions.

Are Criminal Records Public In Winona County

Adult criminal records in Winona County are presumptively public under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to make arrest data, booking information, and criminal history data available to the public, subject to specific statutory exceptions. Court records are similarly governed by the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, which establish a strong presumption in favor of public access to court proceedings and case documents.

Records that are generally accessible to the public include:

Adult conviction records and court case dispositions
Arrest logs and booking information maintained by the Sheriff's Office
Court filings, hearing schedules, and sentencing orders
Sex offender registration information

Records that are restricted or not available for public inspection include:

Juvenile delinquency records, which are sealed by statute
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could compromise law enforcement operations
Expunged records, which have been sealed by court order pursuant to the criminal expungement process
Certain victim information and confidential informant data protected under state law

Members of the public seeking to understand the scope of accessible records may consult the Minnesota State Law Library's guidance on court records for additional detail on what categories of documents are available and through which channels.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Winona County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Winona County criminal records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for each primary method:

Step 1 – Identify the type of record needed. Determine whether the search involves court case records, arrest/booking records, or a comprehensive criminal history background check, as each is obtained from a different agency.

Step 2 – Search court case records online. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal allows members of the public to search case records by county, party name, or case number. Select "Winona" from the county list to filter results to local proceedings.

Step 3 – Visit the Winona County District Court in person. For records not available through the online portal, or for certified copies of court documents, members of the public may appear at the court clerk's office during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) and submit a written request. Fees apply for copies and certifications.

Step 4 – Request arrest and booking records from the Sheriff's Office. Arrest logs and jail booking records are maintained by the Winona County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person or in writing to the office at 202 W. 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987.

Step 5 – Request a comprehensive background check through the BCA. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension processes statewide criminal history record requests. Individuals may submit a personal record request or authorize a third party to obtain their record. Fees and identification requirements apply.

Step 6 – Submit required identification and fees. Most in-person and written requests require a valid government-issued photo identification. Copy fees are set by statute and vary by agency and document type.

How To Find Criminal Records in Winona County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide access to Winona County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): The MCRO case search portal is the primary online resource for court case records. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal contains civil, criminal, family, and probate case information. Some records require in-person inspection and are not available through the online interface. No registration is required for basic public searches; however, certain document-level access may require a registered account.

Minnesota Judicial Branch – Access Case Records: The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides guidance on how to access both electronic and paper court records, including records that are not indexed in MCRO. This resource identifies which record types are available remotely and which must be reviewed at the courthouse.

Winona County Sheriff's Office – Jail Roster: The Winona County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster on its official website, reflecting individuals currently held in the county detention facility. This roster is updated regularly and is available without charge.

Minnesota BCA – Online Background Check: The BCA offers an online criminal history search tool for members of the public seeking statewide conviction data. A fee is assessed per search, and results reflect records maintained in the state criminal history repository.

Records involving sealed cases, expunged matters, or active juvenile proceedings are not accessible through any public online portal.

Can You Search Winona County Criminal Records for Free?

Minnesota law does not require agencies to provide copies of records at no charge; however, inspection of public records is generally available without a fee. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must allow members of the public to inspect public government data at no cost, though fees may be charged for copies, certified documents, or staff-assisted searches.

Free resources currently available include:

MCRO online case search: Basic case index searches through the Minnesota Court Records Online portal are available at no charge. Fees apply for document downloads or certified copies.
Winona County Sheriff's Office jail roster: The current inmate roster is publicly accessible on the Sheriff's Office website without charge.
In-person court record inspection: Members of the public may inspect court case files at the Winona County District Court clerk's office during business hours without paying an inspection fee. Copying fees apply if physical copies are requested.
Minnesota Judicial Branch case information: General case status and hearing information accessible through the Minnesota Judicial Branch website is available at no cost.

Fees are assessed for certified copies, BCA background check reports, and document reproduction. Fee schedules are posted at each agency's public counter and on official websites.

What's Included in a Winona County Criminal Record?

A comprehensive Winona County criminal record may contain the following categories of information, depending on the maintaining agency and the nature of the underlying proceedings:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID) assigned by the BCA
FBI number, where applicable

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Winona Police Department, or other law enforcement)
Booking number and jail facility
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Bail or bond amount set
Release date and conditions, if applicable

Court Case Information:

Case number and court jurisdiction (Winona County District Court, Third Judicial District)
Filing date and assigned judge
Charges as filed, including applicable statutes and offense classification (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor)
Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
Attorney of record for prosecution and defense

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
Conviction date, if applicable
Sentence type and length (incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service)
Conditions of probation or supervised release
Appeals filed and outcomes

Additional Record Elements:

Outstanding warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration status
DUI/DWI adjudications
Traffic-related criminal violations
Pending charges not yet adjudicated

Members of the public seeking to understand the expungement process, which may result in the sealing of certain record elements, may consult the criminal expungement resources maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

How Long Does Winona County Keep Criminal Records?

Winona County retains criminal records in accordance with schedules established by the Minnesota State Archives and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and maintaining agency.

Court Records (Winona County District Court):

Felony case files: Retained permanently
Gross misdemeanor case files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
Misdemeanor case files: Retained for a minimum of 5 years following case closure
Petty misdemeanor records: Retained for a minimum of 2 years

Law Enforcement Records (Sheriff's Office and Police Department):

Arrest and booking records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years
Incident reports involving criminal activity: Retained for a minimum of 7 years
Records involving crimes against persons: May be retained permanently depending on offense severity

State Repository (BCA):

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension retains criminal history records indefinitely unless a court orders expungement or sealing pursuant to applicable statute.

Expungement under Minnesota law results in the sealing—not destruction—of records. Sealed records remain accessible to certain government agencies and law enforcement entities even after a court grants expungement. Documents requiring authentication for use in foreign jurisdictions may require an apostille through the Minnesota Secretary of State before submission abroad.