Lyon County Police Records

Lyon County police records are public documents maintained by the Lyon County Sheriff's Office in Marshall, Minnesota. Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, arrest data becomes public from the moment of arrest, and booking photos are available to anyone who asks. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for the rural parts of the county, while the Marshall Police Department covers the city of Marshall. This guide explains how to find, request, and use police records in Lyon County, including what state law says about access, fees, and your rights as a data subject.

Lyon County Sheriff's Office

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for unincorporated parts of the county. The Sheriff also serves smaller towns and townships that do not run their own police departments. Visit the county website at co.lyon.mn.us for current contact details, staff directories, and instructions on how to submit a public records request.

When you need a copy of a police report or arrest record, you can submit a written request in person or by mail. Bring or include the date and type of incident, the name of the person involved if you know it, and the format you need. Staff at the front desk can tell you if the record exists and whether any portion is withheld. Records tied to open investigations may be held back until the case closes.

The Marshall Police Department handles calls within Marshall city limits. If the incident happened inside the city, that department holds the report, not the Sheriff. The two agencies do not share the same filing system, so it helps to know who responded to the call. You can ask at either office and they will point you to the right place.

What Records Are Public in Lyon County

Minnesota law makes a large range of law enforcement data public. Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, the following are public from the time they are created:

• Name and age of anyone arrested
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• The charges filed or basis for the arrest
• Booking photos
• Name of the arresting officer and their agency
• Whether the person was released and on what terms

Incident reports are also largely public. Some details can be redacted, such as victim names in sexual assault cases or information that could harm an active investigation. If any part of a report is withheld, the agency must tell you why and cite the specific law that allows the redaction. You should not receive a blank refusal without a legal basis.

911 call audio is not public in Minnesota. However, a written transcript of a 911 call becomes public once any active investigation ends. Keep this in mind if you need to document what was said during an emergency call. The audio itself stays private even after a case closes.

How to Request Police Records

You do not need to explain why you want public records. Under Minn. Stat. 13.03, any person can request to inspect public government data. The agency must respond in a timely way. They cannot delay your request indefinitely or demand that you justify your interest.

To get a police record from the Lyon County Sheriff:

• Go to the Sheriff's Office in person at the county courthouse in Marshall
• Send a written request by mail with the incident date and type
• Include the name of the subject if known
• State the format you need (paper copy or digital file)

Looking at records in person is free. Copies cost $0.25 per page for the first 100 pages. Beyond 100 pages, the agency may charge the actual cost of reproduction. There is no fee just to inspect a document in person. If you only need to confirm an arrest occurred, in-person review can save you money.

Minnesota BCA Criminal History Records

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) runs the statewide criminal history database. If you need a broader picture of someone's record beyond what Lyon County holds locally, the BCA is the right resource. Call 651-793-2400, option 7, or go to the BCA background checks page online.

The BCA pulls data from law enforcement agencies all across the state, including Lyon County. A BCA background check shows arrests, charges, and court outcomes from courts statewide. This is the most complete option if you want a full picture rather than just a local record.

The screenshot below shows the BCA background check portal where you can learn which search types are available and what they cost.

The BCA page lists which checks are open to the public and which require a signed release from the person being searched.

Court Records in Lyon County

Police records and court records are two different things. A police record covers the arrest and the initial report. A court record covers everything that happens after charges are filed: hearings, motions, verdicts, and sentencing. Both are useful, but they come from different offices.

Lyon County court records are held by the 5th Judicial District Court. You can search many of those records online at no cost through publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system includes case summaries, hearing schedules, and some document images. It is the fastest way to find case numbers and current status for matters in Lyon County court.

The image below shows the court records search portal used to look up cases statewide.

Use MCRO to find case numbers, court dates, and basic disposition data for any matter handled in Lyon County District Court.

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act

All records access in Minnesota is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minn. Stat. 13.025. This law sets out what government data is public, what is private, and how agencies must handle requests. It applies to every state and local agency in Minnesota, including the Lyon County Sheriff.

Under the MGDPA, all government data is presumed public unless a specific law says otherwise. The agency carries the burden of explaining any denial. If they withhold data, they must cite the statute that permits it. You can challenge a denial through the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division, or by filing in district court.

The MGDPA also limits what agencies can do with data about you. They cannot share your private data with third parties without your consent, except in narrow situations the law spells out. This applies to personal information the Sheriff collects when you have any contact with law enforcement in Lyon County.

Criminal History Data and Subject Rights

Criminal history data is governed by Minn. Stat. 13.87. Convictions are generally public. Arrests that did not lead to charges, or charges that were dismissed, may be treated differently depending on the facts of the case. The BCA can tell you the classification of specific data elements if you are unsure.

If you are the subject of a record, Minn. Stat. 13.04 gives you the right to see any data the government holds about you, whether public or private. You can contest inaccurate information within 30 days of seeing it, and appeal a denial within 60 days. Act quickly if you spot an error. Missing the deadline can limit your options for fixing wrong data.

Sex Offender Registry

The Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry is a statewide database of people convicted of certain sex offenses. It is separate from general police records and is managed by the BCA. You can search it by name or address on the BCA's public website. The Lyon County Sheriff also has information about registered offenders living in the county and can provide community notification for higher-risk individuals when required by law.

Nearby Counties

Lyon County shares borders with several other southwestern Minnesota counties, each with its own sheriff and court system.