Lyon County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lyon County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Lyon County may access publicly available information through LyonCountyRecords.us as well as through official government repositories maintained by the state and county. Criminal records accessible through public channels may include arrest records, court case filings, conviction histories, sentencing information, and related court dispositions. The availability of specific records depends on the nature of the case, the age of the subject at the time of the offense, and whether any court orders have restricted access to the file.
Records that members of the public may encounter through official sources include:
- Felony and misdemeanor arrest records
- District court case filings and dispositions
- Conviction records and sentencing details
- Booking and jail records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information
- Warrant records
- Probation and supervised release status
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels available under current Minnesota law.
1. County Court Records
The Lyon County District Court maintains criminal case files for all matters adjudicated within the county. Members of the public may inspect non-restricted case files in person at the courthouse during regular business hours.
Lyon County District Court
607 W. Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 706-7050
Lyon County District Court – Minnesota Judicial Branch
Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate date of birth or case number. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service case lookups at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, which governs public access to government data.
Lyon County Sheriff's Office
607 W. Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 537-7666
Lyon County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal, which allows members of the public to search case records statewide, including Lyon County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal provides access to case summaries, hearing dates, and disposition information. Sealed, expunged, and certain juvenile records do not appear in MCRO results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and in certain instances, fingerprints. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Minnesota BCA Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Lyon County District Court Administrator at 607 W. Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time, and in practice the court administrator's office processes written requests within ten business days.
What Is Lyon County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Lyon County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing records generated by law enforcement agencies, the district court, and state correctional authorities. Under Minnesota law, criminal records are defined and governed primarily by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, which classifies law enforcement data and specifies what information is public, private, or protected.
The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, but it does not establish guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, a plea agreement, or a trial verdict. Felony records involve the most serious criminal offenses and carry the most substantial legal consequences, while misdemeanor records document less severe offenses. Gross misdemeanor records occupy an intermediate category under Minnesota law.
Juvenile records — those arising from offenses committed by individuals under the age of 18 — are treated differently from adult records. Under current Minnesota law, juvenile delinquency records are not public in the same manner as adult criminal records and are subject to sealing provisions. Active warrant records reflect outstanding orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies that maintain criminal records in Lyon County include:
- Lyon County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, booking records, jail records
- Lyon County District Court — court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — statewide criminal history repository
- Marshall Police Department — local arrest and incident records
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated at each stage of the criminal justice process, including arraignment, preliminary hearings, plea proceedings, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or post-conviction proceedings. The Minnesota State Law Library's court records guide provides additional context on the types of documents contained in district court files.
Are Criminal Records Public In Lyon County
Criminal records in Lyon County are public to the extent provided under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes § 13.82. As stated in the statute, certain law enforcement data — including the name and address of an individual arrested, the charges filed, and the disposition of a case — are classified as public data accessible to any member of the public upon request.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, charging documents, and sentencing information are public records under Minnesota law. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has noted that "court records are presumed to be open to the public unless a specific law or court rule provides otherwise." This presumption of openness reflects the state's commitment to transparency in the administration of justice.
Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile delinquency records (subject to sealing provisions)
- Expunged records (removed from public access by court order)
- Records sealed pursuant to a court order
- Ongoing criminal investigation data classified as protected under § 13.82
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Pardoned offenses and records subject to diversion program completion may also be restricted depending on the terms of the applicable order. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through state or county channels. Members of the public with questions about the classification of specific records may consult the Minnesota Department of Corrections' offender search and fugitive information portal for publicly available corrections data.
How To Find Criminal Records in Lyon County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Lyon County criminal court records is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal operated by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Users may search Lyon County cases by selecting Lyon from the county list and entering a party name or case number. MCRO provides access to case summaries, hearing schedules, and disposition information for cases filed in the district court. No registration is required for basic public case searches, though access to certain document images may require a registered account.
State-Level Resources
The Minnesota BCA provides a criminal history background check system for authorized requestors. The Minnesota Department of Corrections offender search tool allows members of the public to search for individuals currently under DOC supervision, including those on probation, supervised release, or incarcerated in state facilities. This tool also provides information on non-compliant predatory registrants.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference results across MCRO, the BCA portal, and the DOC offender search
- Be aware that records older than the digital conversion period may not appear in online databases
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in any public online search
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing are not fully digitized and may require an in-person request at the courthouse. Online searches do not constitute an official background check and are not a substitute for a certified criminal history report from the BCA.
Can You Search Lyon County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Minnesota law mandates that members of the public may inspect public government data at no charge. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must allow inspection of public data without requiring payment. Copying fees may apply for printed reproductions. In-person inspection is available at the Lyon County District Court and the Lyon County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The MCRO portal provides free access to public case summaries and hearing information. The Minnesota DOC offender search is also available at no cost to the public.
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Lyon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking logs that are available as public data under § 13.82.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $14 per document (Minnesota court fee schedule) |
| Official BCA criminal history report | $15 per subject (self-request) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable by agency |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $15–$30 depending on submission method |
State Fee Law
Minnesota Statutes § 13.03 governs the fees that government entities may charge for copies of public data. The statute limits fees to the actual cost of reproduction and prohibits agencies from charging for the time spent locating records when the request is for inspection only. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Lyon County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A criminal record maintained in Lyon County may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court case records include the case number, the court and jurisdiction, the filing date, the specific charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea information, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of probation), any appeals filed, and current probation or supervised release status.
Additional Record Elements
A complete criminal record may also reflect outstanding warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration requirements, DUI/DWI adjudications, traffic-related criminal offenses, and pending charges not yet resolved.
NOT Included
- Juvenile delinquency records (sealed under Minnesota law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Criminal records from other states
- Federal criminal records
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may seek correction through the originating agency or through the BCA. Inaccurate records can have significant consequences for employment, housing, and licensing, and the correction process involves submitting a written request with supporting documentation to the relevant custodial agency.
How Long Does Lyon County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Minnesota court records retention is governed by the Minnesota Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which establishes minimum retention periods for all court case types. The Minnesota Historical Society and the State Court Administrator's Office jointly oversee compliance with these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the district court and the BCA
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; BCA retains conviction data indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the Sheriff's Office for a minimum period; may be subject to expungement petition
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained in court records permanently to reflect the full disposition, though the record shows no conviction
- Juvenile records: Subject to sealing provisions under Minnesota law; destruction timelines vary based on offense type and court order
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter
Agency Differences
County district courts retain case files permanently in accordance with the Minnesota Supreme Court's retention schedule. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for a period determined by the county's records retention policy. The BCA retains conviction data permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical case files may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible through MCRO and the BCA repository.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement under Minnesota law — governed by Minnesota Statutes § 609A.02 — results in the sealing of records from public view, though law enforcement agencies may retain access. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since the conviction or arrest. Expungement petition forms are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Federal Records
The FBI maintains its own criminal history repository independently of state systems. Federal records are governed by separate federal statutes and are not affected by Minnesota expungement orders.
Practical Implications
Prior convictions, including older felony and misdemeanor records, appear on background checks conducted by employers and licensing boards. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically cover a seven-to-ten-year lookback period for most positions, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of age. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.