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Criminal records are accessible to the public in Minnesota, just as they are in every other state. However, there are some restrictions on how these records can be used. Read on to learn more about criminal records in Minnesota.
An Overview of Minnesota Criminal Records
Criminal records are a log of someone’s criminal history in its entirety. This means that a full Minnesota criminal record will show all of the charges, arrests, acquittals, and convictions that someone has had in the state. A criminal record may also show outstanding warrants. In addition to someone’s criminal history, their criminal record will also include a great deal of personal information. The personal information on a criminal record in Minnesota includes:
- Full legal name
- Any aliases
- Current and past addresses
- Picture
- Fingerprint
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
It is important to keep in mind that someone’s full Minnesota criminal record can only be accessed by a government agency. Their publicly available Minnesota criminal record only includes information about convictions in the last 15 years.
The Usage of Minnesota Criminal Records
Criminal records are most commonly accessed during background checks for employment. Not all employers require that prospective employees pass a background check, but the practice is becoming more common (especially for high-level positions). If you are applying for a position at a school, government agency, or healthcare business, you will almost certainly have to pass a background check. Criminal records may also be accessed if you are applying for a license, such as a firearms license or a license to practice law. Finally, law enforcement officers may access criminal records as part of their duties, usually when they are investigating a crime.
How People Could Access Someone Else’s Records
In general, criminal records are publicly available in Minnesota. As previously mentioned, however, the publicly available criminal record is limited. However, the Minnesota Methamphetamine Offender Registry and the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry (for sex crimes) will return more detailed information about these types of crimes. The information in these specialized registries will only be available for a length of time set by the court, then the offender will be removed from the registry.
Requesting a Criminal Record in Minnesota
Minnesota is one of many states that has an online portal for requesting criminal records. This makes it very easy to request a criminal record in the state. Also, criminal record requests through this portal are free.
All you need to request someone’s Minnesota criminal record is their full legal name and date of birth. Many states require more information, but Minnesota is one of the simplest states for criminal record requests. Once you input this information and hit search, a listing of their record (if any) will be displayed. Keep in mind that Minnesota state law requires you to notify the record holder if you use their record for housing, employment, or credit purposes.