Clearwater County Criminal Records
Clearwater County criminal records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Bagley, in the far northwest part of Minnesota. The county is small, with about 8,700 residents, and parts of both the Red Lake and White Earth Indian Reservations fall within its borders. The Sheriff's Office handles local law enforcement and runs the county jail. Court records go through the 9th Judicial District. This page explains how to access arrest data, jail rosters, and court case records for Clearwater County.
Clearwater County Overview
Clearwater County Sheriff's Office
The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office is on the second floor of the courthouse at 213 Main Avenue N., Dept. 202, in Bagley. The main phone number is 218-694-6520. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for the entire county, including rural areas and the portions of the Red Lake and White Earth Reservations that fall within county boundaries. Tribal law enforcement agencies operate separately within reservation lands.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, the Sheriff must release basic arrest information to the public. This includes the time and place of each arrest, what charges were filed, and whether the person is still in custody. It shows current bookings with names, charges, and custody status. For questions about specific arrests or warrants, call the Sheriff's Office directly during business hours.
The county's website at co.clearwater.mn.us links to all county departments. The Sheriff's page is at co.clearwater.mn.us/departments/sheriff and has direct contact info and department resources.
| Office | Clearwater County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 213 Main Avenue N., Dept. 202, Bagley, MN 56621 |
| Phone | 218-694-6520 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Website | co.clearwater.mn.us |
| Sheriff Page | publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the free way to search Clearwater County criminal court cases. MCRO covers filings after July 1, 2015. Search by name or case number to see charges, docket entries, and case status. The court finder at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts has current hours and contact info for the Clearwater County courthouse.
For older cases or for document copies, contact the courthouse directly. Staff can look up records by name and provide copies for a fee. Certified documents cost more. If you are unsure whether a case falls under county or tribal jurisdiction, the Sheriff's Office can help clarify. BCA Statewide Conviction SearchThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension manages the statewide criminal history database. It costs $8 to run a public name search at chs.state.mn.us. The BCA's main information page is at bca.dps.mn.gov. A search through the BCA covers all Minnesota counties, so a Clearwater County conviction would show up there. Minnesota Statute 13.87 limits what the BCA shows to the public. Conviction records are public for up to 15 years after sentence discharge. Older records are not in the public view. Arrests without conviction, dismissed cases, and records that were expunged are also excluded from public results. If you need a record that falls outside this window, contact the Clearwater County courthouse directly. Clearwater County Online ResourcesThe county's main website at co.clearwater.mn.us provides access to all county departments and services, including those that handle criminal record inquiries. 
From the county homepage, you can navigate directly to the Sheriff's Office, Human Services, and court-related links. The Sheriff's department page at co.clearwater.mn.us/departments/sheriff is the direct source for law enforcement contacts and public safety resources in Clearwater County. 
The Sheriff's page has the office address, phone number, hours, and links related to arrests and criminal justice in the county. 
The roster shows current and recent bookings with charges and custody status for each person held at the Clearwater County jail. Expungement in Clearwater CountyMinnesota's expungement law at Minnesota Statute 609A gives people a way to seal criminal records from public view. A successful expungement order applies to the BCA, the court, and the Sheriff's Office. The record is not destroyed; it is sealed. People who had their records expunged generally do not have to disclose those cases on most applications. Automatic sealing under Minnesota Statute 609A.015 applies to some cases in Clearwater County, including dismissals, acquittals, and certain low-level offense stays. For cases that require a petition, you file with the Clearwater County District Court. After the required waiting period, the court notifies prosecutors, holds a hearing if needed, and a judge decides. If granted, all named agencies must comply within the timeframe set in the order. Note: The DOC offender search at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer shows people currently in state prison or under DOC supervision and is free to use. Predatory Offender RegistryAnyone with a qualifying predatory offense conviction in Clearwater County must register with the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office under Minnesota Statute 243.166. Registration involves providing current address, contact info, and other required details. The BCA maintains a public predatory offender registry searchable online. Failure to register or keep registration current is a felony in Minnesota. Nearby CountiesThese counties border Clearwater County in northwestern Minnesota. Each has its own sheriff and district court for criminal cases. |