Dakota County occupies 587 square miles of the southeast area of the State of Minnesota. It was created in 1849 as one of the original nine counties in the state. The county has a population of about 447,440, making it the third-most populous in Minnesota. The City of Hastings serves as the county seat.

Courts in Dakota County

Dakota County is home to three District Courts, which are part of the First Judicial District of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. These courts are in Hastings, West St. Paul, and Apple Valley. They have original jurisdiction in civil, family, probate, juvenile, criminal, traffic, and other cases filed within county limits.

The Criminal and Traffic Division of the District Court handles all criminal cases, from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. It also deals with offenses such as speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), and traffic-related violations within the county boundaries.

Civil actions must be filed at the District Court’s Civil Division, including cases involving contracts, property damages, and personal injury claims. The Conciliation Court, a part of this division, exclusively hears small claims cases involving amounts up to $15,000.

The Family Division handles family law matters in Dakota County concerning divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence.

Juvenile delinquency matters and traffic cases in which the offender is below 18 years of age are brought before the District Court’s Juvenile Division. This division also has the authority to determine whether a minor offender should be tried in court as an adult.

The Guardianship and Conservatorship Division oversees cases involving the appointment of guardians and conservators for minors or incapacitated individuals.

The District Court’s Probate and Mental Health Division handles matters related to wills, estates, and involuntary mental health commitments in the county.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Dakota County

The Dakota County Clerk is the custodian of public court records in the county. The Clerk’s Office provides public access to court records online or in person. Individuals can also obtain public court records in Dakota County at the district courthouse where the case was filed.

The courthouses have public access terminals that provide electronic access to public case records, which the Clerk maintains. It is also possible to obtain copies of public court records from the Clerk’s Office by requesting them at the office location or by mail.

Types of Public Court Records in Dakota County

Unless sealed, the following types of public court records in Dakota County are available to anyone:

• Criminal Court Records
• Traffic Court Records
• Probate Court Records
• Family Court Records
• Conciliation Court Records

Confidential Court Records in Dakota County

While many court records are public in Dakota County, Minnesota laws restrict the disclosure of certain records to the general public. Such court records are considered confidential to maintain the privacy of sensitive information they contain. However, confidential court records in Dakota County are accessible to individuals who are involved in the case or anyone authorized by the court. In Minnesota, the following are regarded as confidential court records or information:

• Adoption records
• Financial account numbers
• Identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, employer identification numbers, or tax identification numbers
• Juvenile records
• Medical records

Juvenile Delinquency in Dakota, MN

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Dakota County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Minnesota often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 351 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Dakota County. Of that total, 0% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 1 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Dakota County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Dakota County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Dakota County, MN

https://mn.gov/

County Seat:	Hastings
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1849
Total Square Miles:	587
2019 Population:	421,751
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	1590 Highway 55 County Courthouse Hastings , MN 55033-2372 https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/

Dakota County, MN Courts