>Watonwan County Warrant Search Online

Watonwan County, Minnesota Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Watonwan County, Minnesota?

Warrant records in Watonwan County, Minnesota are classified as public records pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government data, including warrant information, to ensure transparency in governmental operations. Under § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to make certain data available to the public, including information about warrants, unless specifically classified as confidential or protected nonpublic data.

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act serves multiple public interests by allowing citizens to access warrant information. This transparency enables individuals to verify their legal status, supports community awareness of law enforcement activities, and maintains accountability within the judicial system. Members of the public may access these records through designated channels established by county authorities.

Certain warrant information may be temporarily restricted if disclosure would impede an active investigation or compromise public safety, as provided under § 13.82, Subd. 7. However, once these concerns are resolved, the information typically becomes available for public inspection.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Watonwan County?

Warrant records maintained by Watonwan County authorities typically contain the following standard information:

Full legal name of the subject and any known aliases
Date of birth and physical description of the individual
Date of warrant issuance and the issuing judicial authority
Case number and court file reference information
Nature of the alleged offense (misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony)
Statutory citation of the violated law
Bond amount, if applicable
Geographic limitations of the warrant (county-only, statewide, or nationwide)
Current status (active, recalled, or satisfied)
Special instructions for law enforcement regarding apprehension

The level of detail provided in publicly accessible warrant records may vary based on the nature of the case and applicable privacy provisions under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. Certain sensitive information, such as details that might compromise victim safety or ongoing investigations, may be redacted from public versions of warrant records.

How to Check For Warrants in Watonwan County For Free

Watonwan County provides several no-cost methods for individuals to verify warrant status:

In-person inquiries at the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office located at 715 Second Avenue South, St. James, MN 56081, during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
Telephone verification through the Sheriff's Office at (507) 375-3121
Review of the active warrants list published on the official Watonwan County website
Public access terminals at the Watonwan County Courthouse, 710 Second Avenue South, St. James, MN 56081
Consultation of the Most Wanted section on the county website for significant outstanding warrants

Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification and specific information about the subject of inquiry. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, certain limitations may apply to the disclosure of warrant information in cases involving ongoing investigations or protected individuals.

Watonwan County Sheriff Warrants

The Watonwan County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued by the Watonwan County District Court that authorize law enforcement personnel to take specific actions, including:

Arrest warrants directing the apprehension of individuals charged with criminal offenses
Bench warrants issued for failure to appear at scheduled court proceedings
Search warrants authorizing examination of specified locations or property
Civil warrants related to non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement

The Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of active warrants and regularly updates the county's warrant list. Execution of warrants follows strict procedural guidelines established under Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure, particularly Rules 3.01 and 3.02 regarding warrant issuance and execution.

Watonwan County Sheriff's Office
715 Second Avenue South
St. James, MN 56081
(507) 375-3121
Official Website

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Watonwan County in 2025

Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Watonwan County in 2025 have multiple verification options available:

Direct contact with the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office at (507) 375-3121 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
In-person inquiry at the Sheriff's Office located at 715 Second Avenue South, St. James, MN 56081
Online verification through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal, which provides case information including warrant status
Consultation with the Watonwan County Court Administration at (507) 621-6005 regarding court records
Review of the publicly available warrant list on the county website

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, individuals have the right to access public data concerning themselves. When making inquiries, requestors should be prepared to provide proper identification to verify their identity. For third-party inquiries, certain limitations may apply in accordance with data privacy provisions.

Watonwan County District Court
710 Second Avenue South
St. James, MN 56081
(507) 621-6005
Official Website

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Watonwan County

Verification of outstanding warrants in Watonwan County may be accomplished through several official channels:

Examination of the active warrants list maintained on the county's official website, which is updated regularly
Direct inquiry at the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office public counter, located at 715 Second Avenue South, St. James, MN 56081 (open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
Telephone contact with the Sheriff's Office warrant division at (507) 375-3121
Utilization of the Minnesota Court Records Online system for case status verification
Consultation with the Watonwan County Jail administration at (507) 375-3121 regarding warrant status

Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, Subd. 2 specifically designates warrant information as public data, ensuring citizen access to this information. However, certain restrictions may apply to warrants related to ongoing investigations or those involving protected individuals under Minnesota law.

Watonwan County Jail
715 Third Avenue South
St. James, MN 56081
(507) 375-3121
Official Website