Big Stone County Police Records
Big Stone County police records are kept by the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office and document arrests, incidents, and law enforcement contacts across this rural western Minnesota county. Minnesota law makes most of these records open to the public, and this page covers how to search Big Stone County police records, what data is available, and how state statutes govern access and privacy.
Big Stone County Overview
Big Stone County Sheriff's Office Records
The Big Stone County Sheriff's Office serves Ortonville and all areas of this small, rural county. It is the main source for Big Stone County police records. The office handles patrol, emergency response, and record keeping for the county. Most requests for arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents go through the sheriff's office in Ortonville, the county seat.
| Office | Big Stone County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 2nd Street SE, Ortonville, MN 56278 |
| Phone | (320) 839-3558 |
| County Homepage | www.bigstonecounty.gov |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
Big Stone County is one of the smaller counties in Minnesota by population. That means the sheriff's office is a tight-knit operation. Records requests are handled by a small staff who also manage day-to-day law enforcement duties. Being clear and specific about what you need will help get your request processed faster. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether walk-in visits are accepted before making the trip to Ortonville.
The county website has contact information and links to county departments. Check www.bigstonecounty.gov for the latest information on the sheriff's office, including any changes to office hours or how to submit requests. Some rural counties have shifted to email or online forms for certain types of records requests, so the site is worth checking before you write a letter or drive in.
The screenshot below shows the Big Stone County homepage, where you can find links to the sheriff and other county offices that handle public records.
The Big Stone County website at www.bigstonecounty.gov is the hub for all county department contact information and services.
How to Request Big Stone County Police Records
Under Minn. Stat. 13.03, you have the right to inspect public government data at no cost. Copies cost $0.25 per page for the first 100 pages. You do not need to say why you want the data. You do not need to show identification in most cases. The agency must provide records in a reasonable time, and if they refuse, they must point to a specific statute that classifies the data as private or confidential.
To request records, contact the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office directly. You can call (320) 839-3558 to ask how to proceed. Written requests sent by mail should include the type of record, the date range, and any names or case numbers that will help staff locate what you need. The more specific your request, the faster it can be processed.
Note: Data from active or ongoing investigations is not public while the case is open. This is standard across all Minnesota law enforcement agencies.
Mail requests to the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office at 11 2nd Street SE, Ortonville, MN 56278. Include a return address so staff can send copies or contact you with questions. If you are requesting records about yourself, you may need to confirm your identity before certain private data is released to you.
What Police Records Are Public in Big Stone County
Minn. Stat. 13.82 is the key law for law enforcement records in Minnesota. It makes arrest data public from the moment of arrest. Public arrest data includes the person's name, age, sex, and address; the charge or alleged offense; the date, time, and place of the arrest; and the name of the arresting agency. This data is available to anyone who asks, with no need for a special reason or court order.
Incident reports, calls for service, and other records created during law enforcement activity may also be public, depending on whether the matter is still under investigation. Booking photos are public. Transcripts of 911 calls are generally public, though the audio recordings themselves are private under state law. If a case is closed, most of the records tied to it become available.
Victim information is handled with more care. Names and identifying details of crime victims in domestic violence cases, sexual assault cases, and cases involving minors may be protected. The agency will let you know if any part of a record has been redacted before it is released.
Minnesota Court Records Online
The free Minnesota Courts Records Online (MCRO) system lets you search court cases by name or case number. Use it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO covers cases filed in the 8th Judicial District, which includes Big Stone County. It shows filed charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. If you know someone was arrested in Big Stone County and want to see what happened in court, MCRO is the place to look.
Keep in mind that MCRO only shows court filings. It will not show arrests that never led to charges. For a complete picture, you need to check both sheriff records and the court system. The two sources cover different parts of the process and together give you the most complete view of law enforcement activity in Big Stone County.
BCA Background Checks and Criminal History
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is the state agency that maintains statewide criminal history data. For formal background checks, contact the BCA at 651-793-2400, option 7. You can also use their online portal at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/background-checks.aspx.
Under Minn. Stat. 13.87, most criminal history data held by the BCA is private. The public version of their criminal history tool gives limited results. Full certified records require a more formal process with fees. If you need comprehensive statewide history, the BCA is the right place. For a quick check on court case history, MCRO is easier and free.
Data Access Rights Under Minnesota Law
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act at Minn. Stat. 13.025 makes government data public by default. Any data held by a government agency is open unless a law specifically classifies it otherwise. Big Stone County agencies follow this rule. The burden is on the agency to explain why it is holding back data, not on you to explain why you want it.
Under Minn. Stat. 13.04, you have the right to see data about yourself that any government agency holds. You can contest that data if you think it is wrong. The contest window is 30 days from when you learn of the data. The appeal window is 60 days. These rights apply to any data the Big Stone County Sheriff or other county offices hold about you.
Note: If a Big Stone County agency refuses your records request without citing a specific statute, you may contact the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division for guidance.
Agencies cannot ignore data requests or delay without a reason. Simple requests should get a response quickly. Larger or more complex requests may take longer, but the agency should communicate with you about the timeline rather than leaving you without an answer.
Nearby Counties
Big Stone County sits along the western edge of Minnesota near the South Dakota border. If you are searching for records that may involve neighboring jurisdictions, check these nearby counties.