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Minnesota Warrant Search

A Minnesota warrant search helps the public identify if a warrant is issued under their name for violating the law, being unable to pay their court dues, or failing to attend a court hearing. A warrant can also be issued for authorized searches of vehicles and properties. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), government records, including warrants, are open for public inspection.

Warrants in Minnesota are issued by the courts. However, a law enforcement officer must submit relevant evidence showing probable cause and a sworn testimony for the court to issue a warrant successfully. 

 

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Minnesota?

Warrants, in general, stay active unless acted upon. A Minnesota warrant search is ideal to help the public identify any active warrants to their name or determine if someone else has an outstanding warrant. Since warrants do not expire in the state, law officers can apprehend any offender anywhere. 

Note that warrants issued without probable cause or are maliciously executed are considered invalid. 

 

What Are the Most Common Warrants in Minnesota?

The most common warrants in Minnesota are search warrants, arrest warrants, and bench warrants. 

Bench warrants

This type of warrant is issued to offenders who have a prior violation and failed to show up during their scheduled court trial, failed to follow a court order, or failed to pay their court fees and fines. Authorities have the legal right to arrest someone whose name appears on a bench warrant and bring them before the court to fulfill their dues. Once arrested with a bench warrant, the arresting agency has 36 hours to get the arrested person before a judge. 

Arrest warrants

The public usually performs a Minnesota warrant search to check for arrest warrants. Compared to bench warrants, arrest warrants are more serious and indicate that a person has violated the law or committed a criminal act for them to get arrested. However, a suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty during the trial. 

Search warrants

Law enforcement officers use search warrants to search and seize items or properties due to the following probable cause for a property or item:

  • When it serves as evidence of a crime
  • To recover embezzled or stolen properties
  • If someone used an item or property to commit an offense
  • When someone unlawfully possesses such item or property

Search warrants are only valid when it contains the following information:

  • Probable cause through an affidavit
  • Name of the property owner
  • Address
  • Exact items or property to be searched and their description
  • Name and signature of the issuing judge

Note that warrants without any probable cause or are maliciously executed constitutes a misdemeanor offense in Minnesota. Also, seizing items or properties not indicated in the search warrant will make it invalid and unlawful. 

 

How To Perform Warrant Search in Minnesota

There are different ways to perform a Minnesota warrant search. The easiest is to use the state’s case search tool, the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). In-person and phone warrant searches are also available through different district courts or by visiting local county sheriff’s offices. The only downside is that individuals searching for an active warrant to their name can get arrested on the spot. Third-party websites also offer warrant searches for free but with limited warrant information.

Counties in Minnesota

List of Content

  1. How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Minnesota?
    1. What Are the Most Common Warrants in Minnesota?
      1. Search warrants
    2. How To Perform Warrant Search in Minnesota