Big Stone County Arrest Records

Big Stone County arrest records are kept by the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office in Ortonville, Minnesota. The sheriff handles law enforcement for the county, including all bookings, inmate records, and warrant tracking. Inmate searches in Big Stone County are available through VINELink, the statewide custody notification system. For copies of specific arrest records, you contact the sheriff's office directly. Big Stone County is a small, rural county in western Minnesota along the South Dakota border. This page explains how to find and request arrest records for the county.

Big Stone County Sheriff's Office

The Big Stone County Sheriff's Office in Ortonville serves one of the smallest counties in Minnesota by population. The sheriff's mission centers on actively involving everyone in a team effort to serve, protect, and prevent crime across the county. The office handles patrol, law enforcement records, and warrant services for the entire county.

As a small rural county, Big Stone County does not have the same volume of bookings as larger metro counties. But the sheriff's office maintains the same public records standards under Minnesota law. You can reach the office by phone during business hours. For after-hours emergencies, use the 911 system. Records requests go through the sheriff's office in Ortonville.

Big Stone County Inmate Search

Big Stone County inmate searches are available through the VINELink statewide system. VINELink is a free victim notification service that also allows anyone to look up custody status for people in county jails and state facilities across Minnesota. You can access VINELink at vinelink.com. Search by name to find current custody information for people held in Big Stone County.

VINELink also lets you sign up for automatic alerts. If a person in custody is released, transferred, or their status changes, you can receive a notification by phone, email, or text. This feature is available at no charge. The system is run by Appriss Insights and covers facilities throughout the state.

The screenshot below shows the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office page on the county website, which describes services and contact information for the department.

The sheriff's department page covers the office's mission, services, and contact details for Big Stone County residents and those seeking records.

If VINELink does not have the current information you need, call the sheriff's office directly at (320) 839-6178. Staff can confirm custody status and help direct your inquiry.

Big Stone County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrant information in Big Stone County is public under Minn. Stat. § 13.82. The sheriff's office tracks active warrants for the county. To check on a warrant, call the office at (320) 839-6178 during business hours. You can also search the Minnesota Court Records Online system for cases with active warrant flags.

Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us covers Big Stone County cases under the 8th Judicial District. If a court issued an arrest warrant on an open case, it may show in the MCRO system as part of the case docket.

The screenshot below is from VINELink, which provides statewide custody searches including Big Stone County.

VINELink covers Big Stone County jail custody data and allows you to register for notifications about specific individuals in custody.

How to Request Big Stone County Arrest Records

Arrest data in Minnesota is classified as public government data under Minn. Stat. § 13.82. The Big Stone County Sheriff's Office must release basic arrest information on request. That includes the arrested person's name, the date and time of arrest, the charges, and the arresting agency.

To request records, contact the sheriff's office at 340 2nd St NW in Ortonville or call (320) 839-6178. Written requests can be sent by mail to the same address. Include the full name of the person, the date of arrest if known, and what specific records you are looking for. Give your name and contact information so the office can get back to you.

Processing time may vary. The sheriff's office is a small operation and may take a few days to locate older records. If any portion of your request is restricted, the office will tell you why. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and files tied to active investigations may not be fully available.

The screenshot below shows the Big Stone County main website, which is the starting point for reaching the sheriff's office and other county departments.

The county website at bigstonecounty.gov links to the sheriff's department and other services available to residents and the public.

Note: For older or more complex records, the Minnesota BCA at chs.state.mn.us may have statewide data that goes beyond what the local sheriff's office has on file.

Minnesota Statewide Resources

Because Big Stone County is small, the statewide databases often provide a broader view of arrest history than the local office alone. These systems are free to use and cover records from all 87 Minnesota counties.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension public criminal history search at chs.state.mn.us pulls statewide data including arrests, charges, and dispositions. You can search by name and get results that cover Big Stone County along with any other Minnesota counties where a person has a record. Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us covers Big Stone County under the 8th Judicial District.

The DOC offender locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us tracks people currently in Minnesota state prisons or on supervised release. If someone from Big Stone County received a state sentence, they may appear in this system. VINELink at vinelink.com handles county jail custody tracking and alert notifications.

Nearby Counties

Big Stone County sits in western Minnesota. These counties are nearby. Each has its own sheriff and records system.