Dakota County Arrest Records

Dakota County arrest records are maintained by the Dakota County Sheriff's Office in Hastings, Minnesota. The sheriff's jail division books and processes all county detainees, and an online inmate search tool lets you look up people currently in custody. The warrant search system is also available online. This page explains where to find Dakota County arrest records, how to search inmates and warrants, and what statewide resources apply to cases originating in the county.

Dakota County Sheriff's Office

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county and runs the jail. The jail is a 263-bed direct supervision facility staffed around the clock by correctional deputies. It sits at 13780 Frontier Court in Apple Valley. The main sheriff's number is (651) 438-4700. You can reach the jail information line at (651) 438-4800. Email contact is available at sheriff@co.dakota.mn.us.

Dakota County is one of the largest counties in the Twin Cities metro, and the jail processes a significant volume of bookings each year. Corrections staff run educational and rehabilitation programs for inmates. The jail also has systems in place for remote visitation, online mail, and deposit services for inmate accounts. These services are separate from the records and warrant functions of the sheriff's office.

The county operates multiple service centers across its territory, including the Western Service Center, Northern Service Center, and the Dakota County Judicial Center. Court matters for the county go through the 1st Judicial District.

The Dakota County main website at co.dakota.mn.us links to all law and justice services, including the jail, warrants, and most wanted sections. The screenshot below shows the county's main site, which is the starting point for most records requests.

The county site organizes law and justice services clearly, making it easy to navigate to the right section for arrest or warrant information.

Dakota County Inmate Search

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate search at co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/Jail/InmateSearch. The search tool is limited to people currently in custody. It does not display recently released individuals. If you need past records, you will need to contact the sheriff's office directly or use the BCA criminal history system.

A typical record in the inmate search shows the person's name, booking photo, charges filed, court dates, custody status, and bail or bond information. The system also shows release date estimates, though those are subject to change based on court proceedings. Dakota County notes that identity can only be confirmed through fingerprint comparison, and users should not rely on the online data for legal purposes. This is standard practice across most county jail systems in Minnesota.

The screenshot below is from the Dakota County inmate search portal, which displays current custody information for the county jail.

The inmate search reflects real-time custody data and is updated as bookings and releases occur throughout the day.

Victims can register with VINELink to get automated alerts when a person's custody status changes. The VINE system works with the Dakota County Jail and sends notifications by phone, email, or text when an inmate is released or transferred.

Dakota County Warrant Search

Dakota County offers a comprehensive online warrant search at co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/Warrants/Search. This tool lets you check whether a person has an active arrest warrant in the county. Warrant data is public information under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, which governs the release of arrest and law enforcement data in Minnesota.

Warrants are issued by the court when a person fails to appear for a scheduled hearing, violates conditions of release, or is named in a new criminal complaint. Active warrants remain in effect until the person is arrested, turns themselves in, or the court recalls the warrant. The warrant search system is one of the more complete public tools in the metro area. You can search by name to check status.

The screenshot below shows the Dakota County warrant search page, which allows name-based searches for active warrants.

The warrant search is updated regularly and reflects current outstanding warrants tracked by the sheriff's office.

Note: A warrant search showing no results does not guarantee there are no warrants in other jurisdictions or federal systems.

Dakota County Most Wanted

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office maintains an active Most Wanted list online. This list highlights individuals with outstanding warrants who have not been located. You can view it at co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/MostWanted. Each entry typically includes a photo, name, and general information about why the person is wanted.

If you have information about someone on the most wanted list, contact the sheriff's office at (651) 438-4700. You can also use the non-emergency tip line if you prefer not to call directly. The most wanted list is part of the sheriff's broader warrant enforcement program and is updated as individuals are located or new cases are added.

The screenshot below shows the Dakota County most wanted page, which lists individuals with active warrants across the county.

The most wanted list is a public resource and one of the more direct ways to check on high-priority warrant cases in Dakota County.

Requesting Dakota County Arrest Records

Official copies of Dakota County arrest records can be requested through the sheriff's records division. In-person visits are one option. You can also submit requests by phone or email. Include the person's full name, approximate date of arrest, and any known case number to help staff pull the right record quickly.

Minnesota's data practices law classifies most arrest data as public. The name, date, time, and charges from an arrest are available to anyone who asks. Some data may be withheld if it involves an ongoing investigation, an undercover operation, or juvenile matters. The sheriff's office will tell you what it can and cannot release based on the specific request.

Court records for Dakota County cases are searchable through Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Dakota County falls under the 1st Judicial District. You can search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes at no cost.

Note: Arrest records reflect a charge, not a conviction. Case outcomes and disposition data are held in the court system and may differ from what appears in the jail booking record.

Minnesota Statewide Resources

Several Minnesota state systems hold arrest and criminal history data that supplements what you find through Dakota County directly.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) manages the state's public criminal history search. You can look up arrests, charges, and case outcomes by name. The BCA database pulls data from all counties and covers records going back many years. Disposition data is included when cases have closed. This is a strong resource when you need a broader picture beyond just the county jail.

Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the free public system for district court cases. VINELink provides custody alerts for the Dakota County Jail and lets registered users track an inmate's status. The Minnesota Department of Corrections offender search at coms.doc.state.mn.us covers people in state correctional facilities or under supervised release.

Cities in Dakota County

Dakota County includes several large cities in the southern Twin Cities metro. Arrests in these cities are handled by local police departments, but most jail bookings route through the Dakota County Jail in Apple Valley.

Other communities in Dakota County include Hastings, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights. All arrests across the county feed into the sheriff's booking and records system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dakota County. Each has its own jail and arrest record system.