Warrants are public records in Benton County, Minnesota, pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This comprehensive legislation establishes that judicial records, including warrants, must be accessible to the public to maintain transparency and accountability within the judicial system. Under § 13.03, government data shall be public unless classified by statute or federal law as nonpublic or protected nonpublic.
The accessibility of warrant information serves multiple public interests. Citizens of Benton County may access these records to verify the legal status of individuals, research court proceedings, or monitor law enforcement activities. This transparency supports constitutional principles of open governance and public oversight of judicial functions as established by Minnesota law.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily restricted during active investigations pursuant to § 13.82, Subd. 7, which allows for the classification of investigative data as confidential or protected nonpublic while an investigation is active. Once a warrant has been executed or is no longer active, the information typically becomes fully accessible to the public.
Warrant records maintained by Benton County authorities contain specific information as required by Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure. Standard warrant documentation includes:
These records are maintained in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 629.13 and related provisions governing the issuance and execution of warrants in criminal proceedings.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Benton County through several no-cost methods established under Minnesota's public records laws. The following options are available:
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 3, these services are provided without charge for inspection of records, though nominal fees may apply for copies or certified documents as authorized by law.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued under judicial authority that empower law enforcement to take specific actions. These warrants typically contain:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that coordinates with other agencies to execute these judicial orders. The Warrants Division operates from the Sheriff's Office headquarters at 581 Highway 23 NE, Foley, MN 56329, and can be reached at (320) 968-7201 during standard business hours.
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Benton County in 2025 have multiple verification methods available. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has implemented enhanced digital access systems that facilitate warrant status checks through the following channels:
Pursuant to Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.01, individuals with active warrants may voluntarily surrender at the Benton County Jail located at 581 Highway 23 NE, Foley, MN 56329, which operates 24 hours daily.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Benton County is facilitated through multiple channels established by county authorities. Interested parties may utilize the following resources:
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, Subd. 2, basic information about warrants is classified as public data and must be accessible to any person upon request. Identification may be required when requesting specific warrant information to ensure proper record retrieval.