Find Rochester Criminal Records

Rochester criminal records are processed through Olmsted County District Court, which handles all criminal cases filed in and around the city. Rochester is Minnesota's third-largest city with a population of about 121,000. The Rochester Police Department operates two locations, including the Law Enforcement Center at 101 4th Street SE. If you need to look up a criminal case, request a police report, or run a background check on someone connected to Rochester, you can use the free Minnesota Court Records Online system or contact the police Records Unit directly at 507-328-6800.

Rochester Police Department and Criminal Records

The Rochester Police Department has two locations in the city. The main site is the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) at 101 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The North Station is located at 4001 West River Parkway NW, Suite 200, Rochester, MN 55901. Both locations serve the public, but records requests typically go through the Records Unit at the LEC. The main non-emergency number is 507-328-6800, and fax is 507-328-6975.

Lobby hours at the Rochester Police Department are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For emergencies, call 911. The Records Unit handles requests for police reports, incident reports, and accident reports. Some records may require a formal data practices request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Copy fees apply for most records. Call 507-328-6800 ahead of time to confirm what you need and what to bring.

The department's main page is at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/police. The Records Unit page at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/police/records-unit has specific instructions for submitting records requests. Some records from accident reports are only available to people who were involved in the accident or who suffered a loss because of it.

Rochester is also served by the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, which operates out of the same building as the Law Enforcement Center at 101 4th Street SE. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, jail rosters, incident reports, and warrants for the broader county area. Call 507-328-6800 to reach the Sheriff's Office or visit co.olmsted.mn.us/276/Sheriffs-Office for more information.

Jail roster data is one way to track recent arrests in the Rochester area and surrounding counties.

How to Search Rochester Criminal Records

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free way to search criminal court cases in Rochester. The system covers Olmsted County District Court and shows case information for charges filed there. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. MCRO displays party names, charges, docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to search. No account is needed for basic searches, and there is no fee to view or download public documents.

For a full criminal history check, use the BCA Public Criminal History Search at chs.state.mn.us. This covers Minnesota-wide felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions. The search costs $8 per person and requires a full name and date of birth. The BCA does not return arrest-only records or records from other states. This search shows convictions from Olmsted County and across the state, so it is broader than a local court search.

If you need a specific Rochester Police report, contact the Records Unit at 507-328-6800. Staff can confirm whether a report exists and walk you through the request process. Some records require a written request or a formal data practices request form. Copy fees apply. Ask about current fees when you call.

Note: The Rochester Police Department website has experienced access issues for outside visitors. If you have trouble reaching the site, call the Records Unit directly for assistance.

Olmsted County Court Records for Rochester

Olmsted County District Court handles all criminal cases in Rochester and the rest of Olmsted County. The courthouse is at 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The Court Administrator's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can call 507-328-7600 to reach the court. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and provide copies of public records. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

Olmsted County is part of Minnesota's Third Judicial District, which covers several counties in southeastern Minnesota. All criminal cases from Rochester, Byron, Stewartville, and the rest of the county are heard in this court. The court handles felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and petty offenses. If a case was filed in Rochester, you can find it through MCRO or by visiting the courthouse in person.

For in-person searches, bring the full name of the person and an approximate year the case was filed. A case number speeds things up. The Court Administrator can pull records and make copies on the spot for most public criminal case files.

Criminal Background Checks in Rochester

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is the state agency responsible for maintaining criminal history data. Its main office is in St. Paul at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106. Phone: (651) 793-2400. You can search the public criminal history database at chs.state.mn.us for $8 per search. That fee covers a name-based search of the statewide database.

Under Minn. Stat. section 13.87, Minnesota makes conviction data public for 15 years after sentence discharge. The BCA system shows that data for felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors. Records older than 15 years from sentence discharge are no longer available through the public search. Arrest records that did not lead to a conviction are private and do not appear in the BCA's public search.

Rochester residents who want to check their own criminal record can visit the BCA office in St. Paul to view it in person at no charge. You can also request a certified copy of your own record for other purposes. The BCA website has details on what is included and how to dispute errors in your record.

Expungement in Rochester

Rochester residents who want to seal a criminal record need to file a petition at Olmsted County District Court under Minn. Stat. section 609A.03. Expungement seals records at the court level and directs state agencies like the BCA to seal their copies as well. The petition must be served on all agencies that hold records about the case, and a hearing is held before the judge rules on the request.

Minnesota also offers automatic expungement for qualifying offenses under Minn. Stat. section 609A.015. This provision, expanded in 2023, lets the BCA identify and seal eligible records without a petition from the individual. If you were arrested but not charged, or if charges were later dismissed, automatic expungement may apply to your case. Cannabis-related records have separate expungement provisions under Chapter 609A.

Legal aid in the Rochester area is available through Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS). They serve low-income clients and handle some expungement cases. Contact information and eligibility details are available at their main office. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website at mncourts.gov also has expungement forms and self-help guides for people filing on their own.

Sex Offender Registry in Rochester

Minnesota's predatory offender registration law is found at Minn. Stat. section 243.166. People convicted of certain sex crimes and violent offenses must register with the BCA. They report their home address, work address, vehicle information, and contact numbers. They verify this data in person each year during their birth month. Address changes must be reported within five days. Failure to register is a felony.

Community notification is governed by Minn. Stat. section 244.052. A review committee assesses each offender's risk level before release. Level I offenders pose lower risk, and their information stays within law enforcement. Level II offenders' data is shared with organizations that serve likely victim groups, such as schools and daycares. Level III offenders are considered high risk, and their names, photos, and addresses are posted publicly on the Department of Corrections website.

To search for Level III sex offenders in Rochester, visit the Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. The search is free. You can search by name or by geographic area to find offenders living in or near Rochester. For concerns about a specific individual, contact the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office or Rochester Police Department.

County Resources

Rochester is the county seat of Olmsted County. No other qualifying cities are located close to Rochester. For county-level criminal records, court information, and related resources, visit the Olmsted County page.

Olmsted County Criminal Records

Rochester is the county seat of Olmsted County, and all criminal court cases in the city go through Olmsted County District Court. For full information on the county's court system, records access, and related services, visit the Olmsted County criminal records page.

View Olmsted County Criminal Records