Redwood County Court Docket

Redwood County court docket records are publicly accessible through the statewide Minnesota Court Records Online portal and in person at the county courthouse in Redwood Falls. The Redwood County District Court, part of the Fifth Judicial District, handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. You can search court docket records for free online without creating an account, or visit the courthouse to access records and request certified copies.

Redwood County District Court

The Redwood County District Court is located in the county courthouse on Jefferson Street in Redwood Falls. Court administration staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours to assist with filings, copy requests, and record inquiries. The court is part of the Fifth Judicial District, which includes 15 counties across south-central and southwestern Minnesota. Cases filed in Redwood County follow the same statewide procedures and fee schedule as every other Minnesota district court.

The Redwood County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website lists current contact information and links to local court services. Check there first if you need to verify hours or find a specific phone number.

How to Search Redwood County Court Docket Records

The Minnesota Court Records Online system, MCRO, at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the primary tool for searching Redwood County court docket records. No login is needed. Access is free. You can search by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney name. Always use the county filter to limit results to Redwood County, since MCRO covers all 87 counties statewide. Results show the full register of actions for each matching case.

MCRO's four tools each serve a different purpose. Case Search is the main lookup tool and shows the case history from filing through final disposition. Document Search retrieves individual public documents for cases filed after July 1, 2015. Hearing Search shows upcoming or past court dates for a case or person. Judgment Search is used to look up civil money judgments by debtor name, which is useful for creditors and those checking for liens.

For records that are not available online, such as documents filed before 2015 or restricted case types, contact the court at (507) 637-4020. In-person public access terminals are available at the courthouse and provide broader access than the remote MCRO portal. The terminals are free to use during business hours.

Note: MCRO is a public records search tool, not a background check service. Use the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at chs.state.mn.us for official criminal history lookups.

What Is in a Redwood County Court Docket

A Redwood County court docket record contains the case number, party names, case type, and a register of actions. The register of actions is the heart of the docket. It lists every filing, hearing, ruling, and event in the case in date order. For a criminal case, you'll see the initial complaint, any arraignment or bail order, pretrial motions, the plea or verdict, sentencing, and any post-conviction orders. For a civil case, you'll see the complaint, service of process, answers, motions, and the final judgment.

Redwood County civil cases include contract disputes, debt collections, property matters, and small claims. Family cases cover dissolution of marriage, child custody and support, name changes, and paternity matters. Probate cases include wills, estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. Criminal cases range from traffic infractions and misdemeanors to gross misdemeanors and felonies. The same court handles all these case types under one roof, which is typical for a smaller rural Minnesota county.

Fees and Copy Requests

Uncertified copies of Redwood County court records are free under the 2023 legislative change that eliminated per-page copy fees for plain records. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document under Minn. Stat. § 357.31. If you need an exemplified and certified copy, the fee is $28.00. These fees apply statewide, though Redwood County staff can confirm exact costs for unusual or complex requests.

To get copies, go to the courthouse window at 333 S Jefferson St, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, or send a written request by mail. Include the case number, party names, the specific documents you need, and payment. Checks and money orders should be made out to "Redwood County Court Administration." For questions about fees or availability, call (507) 637-4020 before submitting a mail request.

Legal Framework for Court Record Access

Access to Redwood County court records follows the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.90, courts operate under their own access rules rather than the Government Data Practices Act. Most records are public, but some are sealed, confidential, or otherwise restricted. Juvenile records, civil commitment files, and protection orders fall into the restricted category and are not available through public searches.

Criminal records can be expunged under Minn. Stat. § 609A in qualifying cases. If a record has been expunged, it will not appear in MCRO or in courthouse terminals. Public data in court records includes name, date of birth, offense information, and supervision conditions under Minn. Stat. § 13.84. Private data such as treatment records, psychological evaluations, and family counseling notes are not accessible to the public.

If you need help understanding what records are available in a Redwood County case, or if you have questions about a specific filing, contact court administration at (507) 637-4020. Staff can explain access rules and help you submit a proper request for the records you need.

Nearby Counties

Redwood County is located in southwestern Minnesota and borders several other district court counties. Links to neighboring county court docket pages are below.