Access Lakeville Criminal Records

Lakeville criminal records are processed through Dakota County District Court, which handles all criminal cases for the city. Lakeville is one of the larger cities in Minnesota's Dakota County with a population over 70,000. The Lakeville Police Department operates 24 hours a day and maintains a comprehensive records system for police reports, accident reports, permits, letters of clearance, and fingerprinting services. You can request records online, by email at PoliceRecords@lakevillemn.gov, or in person at 9237 183rd Street West. For court records, use the free Minnesota Court Records Online system to search Dakota County cases.

Lakeville Police Department and Criminal Records

The Lakeville Police Department is at 9237 183rd Street West, Lakeville, MN 55044, located at the intersection of 183rd Street and Dodd Boulevard. The main phone number is 952-985-2800. For non-emergency dispatch, call Dakota 911 at 952-322-2323. For records requests, email PoliceRecords@lakevillemn.gov or submit an online data request form through the city's website. The department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for police assistance and incident reporting.

Lakeville Police has a detailed records system. Public records, private records, and confidential records are each handled differently under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13. The department offers police reports, traffic accident reports (limited access), gun purchase permits, letters of clearance for immigration and other purposes, and fingerprinting services. Fingerprinting is by appointment only on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. The fee is $20 for Lakeville residents and $40 for non-residents, credit or debit card only.

Lakeville uses the PoliceToCitizen online platform at lakevillepdmn.policetocitizen.com for non-emergency incident reporting. You can file a report online anytime and get a copy without cost. For accidents, the report is confidential and only available to those involved or who suffered a loss because of it. Permits to purchase handguns and permits to carry are handled separately. Carry permits are referred to the Sheriff's Department.

The screenshot below is from the Lakeville Police Department FAQ and records resource page, showing the comprehensive range of records and services the department offers.

The Lakeville Police Department records page covers more record types than many other Minnesota cities of similar size, including letters of clearance, gun permits, and fingerprinting services.

How to Search Lakeville Criminal Records

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free starting point for searching criminal cases tied to Lakeville. MCRO covers Dakota County District Court, which handles all criminal cases filed in the city. Search by name, case number, or citation at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Results show party information, charges, docket entries, and current case status. Most public documents filed after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download free of charge.

For a full statewide criminal history background check, use the BCA Public Criminal History Search at chs.state.mn.us for $8 per search. You need a full name and date of birth. This covers Minnesota-wide felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions. The BCA does not include arrest-only data, juvenile records, federal convictions, or out-of-state criminal history. Under Minn. Stat. section 13.87, only convictions within 15 years of sentence discharge are public.

To request records directly from the Lakeville Police Department, you can:

• Submit an online data request form through the city website
• Email PoliceRecords@lakevillemn.gov with the request and a copy of your ID
• Call 952-985-2800 during business hours
• Visit the department at 9237 183rd Street West in person

For records about yourself, include a copy of a valid state ID, driver's license, military ID, or passport. Driving records are referred to the Minnesota DVS. Sex offender information is referred to the Department of Corrections.

The screenshot below is from the city of Lakeville police resource page, which covers the department's records services.

Police resource pages in the Lakeville area link to department contacts, records request tools, and public safety information for Dakota County cities.

Dakota County Court Records for Lakeville

All criminal cases in Lakeville go through Dakota County District Court. The courthouse is located at 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The Court Administrator can be reached at 651-438-4338. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dakota County is part of Minnesota's First Judicial District, which covers Dakota County and a handful of neighboring counties in the south metro area.

MCRO provides free online access to Dakota County criminal cases, including all cases from Lakeville. For certified copies, visit the courthouse in Hastings or mail a written request with payment. Note that the Dakota County courthouse is in Hastings, which is about 25 miles from Lakeville. Plan for the drive if you need in-person access. Call 651-438-4338 ahead of time to confirm current fees and any documents you need to bring.

Note: Dakota County uses 911 for both emergency and non-emergency situations. Lakeville residents should be aware that Dakota County dispatch operates differently than many other counties in the metro area.

Criminal Background Checks in Lakeville

The Lakeville Police Department refers full criminal background check requests to the BCA rather than handling them directly. This is standard for most Minnesota police departments. Use the BCA at chs.state.mn.us for $8 per search to get a statewide criminal history on anyone with ties to Lakeville or elsewhere in Minnesota. The BCA headquarters is at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106, phone (651) 793-2400.

Under Minn. Stat. section 13.87, the BCA makes conviction data public for 15 years following discharge of sentence. After that window, the record is no longer available in the public search. The database includes felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions. It does not include arrest-only data, juvenile records, or records from other states.

The Lakeville Police Department also handles letters of clearance (also called good conduct letters) for immigration, citizenship, adoption, and visa purposes. To request one, submit an online data request form with a valid photo ID, or email PoliceRecords@lakevillemn.gov. Letters of clearance are city-level records showing no local criminal history and are different from a full BCA background check.

Expungement in Lakeville

Lakeville residents who want to seal a criminal record file petitions at Dakota County District Court in Hastings under Minn. Stat. section 609A.03. The petition must identify all agencies holding records and be served on each one. A hearing is held, and the judge decides based on the offense type, elapsed time, and the petitioner's circumstances. Records are sealed, not destroyed, so law enforcement retains access for authorized uses. Most background check searches will no longer show the sealed record.

Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. section 609A.015 may apply to Lakeville cases where charges were never filed, where the case was dismissed, or where a stay of adjudication was later vacated. The BCA identifies and seals eligible records without a petition from the individual. The 2023 expansion of this law extended eligibility significantly. For legal help, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services or other Dakota County legal aid providers may assist qualifying residents.

Sex Offender Registry in Lakeville

Under Minn. Stat. section 243.166, people convicted of qualifying sex crimes and certain violent offenses must register as predatory offenders with the BCA. Registrants report home and work addresses, vehicles, and phone numbers. Annual in-person verification is required during the registrant's birth month. Address changes must be reported within five days of moving. Failure to comply is a felony.

The Lakeville Police Department refers sex offender information requests to the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Risk levels are assigned under Minn. Stat. section 244.052. Level III offenders, who are considered the highest risk, have their information posted publicly through the Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. You can search for Level III offenders in Lakeville by name or location on that site. The search is free. For Level I and II registrant concerns, contact the Lakeville Police Department at 952-985-2800 or the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities are close to Lakeville and have their own criminal records pages.

Dakota County Criminal Records

Lakeville is in Dakota County, and all criminal cases go through Dakota County District Court in Hastings. For full county-level information including court resources, the sheriff's office, and more, visit the Dakota County criminal records page.

View Dakota County Criminal Records