Winona County Court Records

Winona County court records are maintained at the District Court in Winona, on the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota. The court sits in the Third Judicial District and has jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases in the county. Court Administrator Becky Brandt manages the records office. You can search Winona County court records online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, or visit the courthouse on West Third Street. This page covers how to search, what to expect in person, and what resources are available to you.

Winona County District Court

The Winona County District Court is located at 171 West Third Street in downtown Winona. It is part of the Third Judicial District along with Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Waseca counties. Court Administrator Becky Brandt oversees the records office and handles requests from the public. The court has original jurisdiction over every type of case filed in the county.

Parking is available for free in the Law Enforcement Center lot adjacent to the courthouse as well as on nearby streets. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a special hours note: starting in December, the court opens one hour later on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Call ahead on Wednesdays if you plan to visit. A public access terminal is available inside for free statewide record searches.

How to Search Winona County Cases Online

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the best place to start a Winona County court records search. The system is free and covers all Minnesota district courts. Search by person name, case number, business name, attorney, or citation number. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to get started.

The screenshot below is from the MCRO portal. It shows where you enter your search terms for Winona County cases.

MCRO lets you look up Winona County court cases at no charge using a name or case number. Results include case type, filing date, and docket entries.

Some limits apply. MCRO does not show documents for civil commitment, domestic abuse, harassment, or juvenile delinquency felonies involving people 16 and older. Criminal cases without a conviction require a case number to search by. Documents filed before July 1, 2015 may not be available online. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, public records are open to anyone unless a law restricts access. Most Winona County court records are public under that rule.

Daily Court Calendar

Winona County posts a daily court calendar as a searchable PDF. It goes online at 7:00 p.m. the evening before, showing the next day's activity. The calendar is then updated hourly starting at 7:00 a.m. each business day. You can find the calendar at mncourts.gov under the Winona County page.

The screenshot below shows the Winona County courthouse page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website with the court office address and contact information.

The mncourts.gov page for Winona County lists courthouse hours, the court administrator's contact information, and links to the daily calendar.

Check the calendar the evening before your hearing if possible. The court updates it throughout the morning as cases move. If you can't find your case on the calendar, call the court at (507) 615-5183 to confirm. Remember that Wednesday hours in December shift to a 9:00 a.m. opening, so plan accordingly if your hearing falls on a Wednesday.

Getting Copies and Paying Fines

Copies of Winona County court records are available at the courthouse window or by mail. Plain uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Exemplified and certified copies are $28. Scanning or fax requests cost $25 per 50 pages. If you can't visit in person, mail your request to Winona County District Court, 171 W. Third Street, Winona, MN 55987. Include the case number, party names, and a list of what you need. Attach a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The screenshot below shows the Court Web Payment portal where Winona County fines can be paid online.

You can pay traffic citations and court fines from Winona County cases at webpay.courts.state.mn.us without traveling to the courthouse.

Types of Records at Winona County Court

The Winona County District Court processes many types of cases. Civil cases cover contract disputes, small claims, civil harassment, and tort actions. Family cases include dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, and protective orders. Criminal cases range from petty misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors to felonies. Probate matters involve wills, estates, trusts, and guardianships. Traffic cases are the largest category by volume. Each of these generates its own set of documents and docket entries.

Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest and criminal incident data from law enforcement is public. But arrest data held by the Winona County Sheriff is a separate record from the court case that follows. For court case records, search MCRO or visit the courthouse. For sheriff arrest reports and incident data, contact the Winona County Sheriff's office. For background checks for employment or licensing, use the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension system at chs.state.mn.us.

Note: Some records may be sealed by court order or restricted by law. Contact the court office to ask about specific case files before making a trip to the courthouse.

Legal Resources in Winona County

Winona County residents who need help with court matters have several options. The Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center offers phone help Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (651) 435-6535. Staff explain court procedures and point you to the right forms. Self-help guides are at mncourts.gov.

Southeast Minnesota Legal Aid serves the Third District region and handles civil matters for low-income residents. LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org has guides on family, housing, and other civil topics. Winona State University hosts legal resources and community programs that may be useful. To find a lawyer, call the Minnesota State Bar Association at (612) 752-6699 or go to mnbar.org.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Winona County in southeastern Minnesota. All are in the Third Judicial District. If you're not sure which court handled a case, check the county where the parties lived or where the incident took place.