Grand Forks County Public Records /Grand Forks County Criminal Records

Grand Forks County Criminal Records

What Is Grand Forks County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Grand Forks County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass a comprehensive chronology of criminal activity, legal proceedings, and judicial determinations as maintained by various law enforcement and judicial entities.

Criminal records typically differentiate between several categories of documentation:

Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document instances when an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of specific charges. Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18.7, arrest records without subsequent charges may have limited public accessibility.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors involve lesser infractions typically resulting in jail terms of less than one year or fines. The North Dakota Criminal Code § 12.1-32-01 establishes five classes of felonies and two classes of misdemeanors with corresponding penalties.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to adults (18 years and older) generally remain accessible to the public, whereas juvenile records are typically sealed under North Dakota Century Code § 27-20.2-25 to protect minors' privacy and future opportunities.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current enforcement actions, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Grand Forks County:

Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office
122 S 5th St #210
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 780-8280
Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office

Grand Forks County District Court
124 S 4th St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 787-2700
North Dakota Courts

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
4205 State St
Bismarck, ND 58503
(701) 328-5500
North Dakota Attorney General

Grand Forks Police Department
122 S 5th St #120
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 787-8000
Grand Forks Police Department

Criminal records typically include documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing determinations, and probation or parole status. The maintenance and accessibility of these records are governed by the North Dakota Open Records Law § 44-04-18, which establishes parameters for public access to government records.

Are Criminal Records Public In Grand Forks County

Criminal records in Grand Forks County are generally considered public information under North Dakota's open records laws. The North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18 establishes that "all records of public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state or any political subdivision of the state, or organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, shall be public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours."

This statutory provision creates a presumption of openness for government records, including criminal records. The law specifically states:

"Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all records of a public entity are public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours."

However, certain categories of criminal records maintain restricted access:

Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure to preserve investigative integrity.
Sealed Cases: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public. This includes cases that have been expunged or records sealed following successful completion of deferred sentences under North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-32-07.2.
Juvenile Records: Records involving minors under 18 years of age are generally confidential pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 27-20.2-25, which states that "all records concerning a child coming within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court... are confidential."
Certain Victim Information: Details that could identify victims of sexual offenses or domestic violence may be redacted from public records.
Criminal History Record Information: Complete criminal history compilations maintained by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation require proper authorization for access under North Dakota Century Code § 12-60-16.6.

Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions generally remain accessible to the public through various means, including in-person requests at the Grand Forks County Courthouse and through online portals maintained by the North Dakota Court System. The North Dakota Court Records Inquiry system provides public access to court records while adhering to privacy protections mandated by state law.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Grand Forks County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Grand Forks County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures outline the current process for obtaining criminal records:

In-Person Requests at the Courthouse:

Visit the Grand Forks County District Court Clerk's office during regular business hours.

Grand Forks County District Court
124 S 4th St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 787-2700
North Dakota Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $10 for record searches plus $1 per page for copies).
For certified copies, an additional fee of $10 per document applies.

Mail Requests:

Download and complete the Criminal Records Request Form from the North Dakota Courts website.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees payable to "Grand Forks County District Court."
Mail the request to:

Grand Forks County District Court
Attn: Records Department
124 S 4th St
Grand Forks, ND 58201

Online Access:

Visit the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry portal.
Select "Grand Forks County" from the location dropdown menu.
Choose the appropriate search type (criminal, civil, traffic).
Enter search criteria such as name, case number, or citation number.
Review search results and select specific cases for detailed information.
Note that certain case details may require in-person review at the courthouse.

Criminal History Record Checks:

For comprehensive criminal history reports:

Submit a Criminal History Record Request to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Complete the SFN 50744 form.
Include fingerprints if requesting a fingerprint-based check.
Provide a $15 processing fee per record check.
Mail the request to:

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Criminal Records Section
4205 State St
Bismarck, ND 58503

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on request volume and complexity. Standard record searches typically require 3-5 business days for completion, while comprehensive criminal history checks may require 7-10 business days.

How To Find Criminal Records in Grand Forks County Online?

Grand Forks County residents and interested parties may access criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to various components of criminal records without requiring in-person courthouse visits.

The primary online resource for accessing Grand Forks County criminal court records is the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry system. This portal allows users to search for criminal cases using the following procedure:

Navigate to the District Court Case Search page.
Select "Grand Forks County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu.
Choose "Criminal" as the case category.
Enter search parameters, which may include:
- Defendant name (last name, first name)
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date range
- Attorney information
Review search results, which typically display:
- Case number
- Filing date
- Defendant name
- Case type
- Current status
Select individual cases to view detailed information, including:
- Charges filed
- Hearing dates
- Court orders
- Case disposition
- Sentencing information

The Criminal Case Records Searches help page provides detailed guidance on conducting effective searches within this system.

Additional online resources include:

Grand Forks County Correctional Center Inmate Lookup:

Visit the Grand Forks County Correctional Center website.
Navigate to the "Inmate Lookup" section.
Enter the individual's name to check current incarceration status.
Results include booking date, charges, and bond information.

North Dakota Offender Search:

Access the North Dakota Department of Corrections Offender Search portal.
Enter the individual's name.
Review results for current inmates and individuals under community supervision.
Information includes custody status, facility location, and scheduled release dates.

Sex Offender Registry:

Visit the North Dakota Sex Offender Website.
Search by name, location, or compliance status.
Results provide offender photos, addresses, conviction information, and risk levels.

Users should note certain limitations of online record searches:

Juvenile records are not available online due to confidentiality laws.
Sealed or expunged records will not appear in search results.
Some case documents may only be viewable in person at the courthouse.
Records prior to 1995 may have limited online availability.
Registration is not required for basic searches, but user accounts may be needed for advanced features.

Can You Search Grand Forks County Criminal Records for Free?

Grand Forks County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without incurring fees, in accordance with North Dakota's open records laws. North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18(2) states that "a public entity may charge up to twenty-five cents per impression of a paper copy" but also specifies that "a public entity may not charge a fee for providing a copy of an electronic record."

Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:

Grand Forks County District Court
124 S 4th St
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 787-2700
North Dakota Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

Grand Forks County Clerk of Court
124 S 4th St, Suite 301
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 787-2715
Grand Forks County Clerk of Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

Several online resources provide free access to criminal record information:

North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry: The public search portal allows free searches of criminal cases filed in Grand Forks County District Court. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number without creating an account or paying fees.
Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate database that can be searched at no cost. This resource provides information on individuals currently in custody, including charges and bond amounts.
North Dakota Offender Search: The Department of Corrections database offers free searches for individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities or under community supervision.
North Dakota Sex Offender Registry: The public registry provides free access to information about registered sex offenders residing in Grand Forks County.

While basic record searches are available at no cost, fees may apply for:

Printed copies of documents ($0.25 per page)
Certified copies of court records ($10 per document)
Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation ($15 per record check)
Expedited processing of record requests
Records requiring extensive staff research or redaction

Individuals seeking to avoid fees should utilize online resources when possible and be prepared to take notes rather than requesting printed copies during in-person inspections. Public computer terminals are available at the Grand Forks Public Library for those without internet access who wish to utilize online record search tools.

What's Included in a Grand Forks County Criminal Record?

Grand Forks County criminal records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with North Dakota Century Code § 12-60-16.3, which establishes standards for criminal history record information. The contents generally include:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest (including statute numbers)
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information
Arresting agency case numbers

Court Case Information:

Court case number and jurisdiction
Filing date and court division
Formal charges filed by prosecutor
Statutory citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney representation details
Hearing dates and proceedings
Motion filings and judicial rulings

Disposition Information:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms (jail/prison duration)
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
Appeal information
Probation/parole status and violations
Sentence completion dates

Additional Information:

Active warrants or pending charges
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Diversion program participation
Deferred prosecution agreements
Probation/parole conditions and violations

The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on case age, severity, and the maintaining agency. Records maintained by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation typically provide the most complete criminal history information, while court records focus primarily on case proceedings and outcomes.

Certain information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account information
Medical or mental health details
Information about confidential informants
Victim identifying information in sensitive cases
Juvenile co-defendant information

How Long Does Grand Forks County Keep Criminal Records?

Grand Forks County maintains criminal records in accordance with the North Dakota Records Retention Schedule established by the North Dakota Century Code § 54-46-08, which governs the preservation and disposition of government records. The retention periods vary based on record type, offense severity, and case outcome.

The North Dakota Records Management Program establishes the following retention periods for criminal justice records:

Arrest Records:

Felony arrests resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
Felony arrests without conviction: 7 years from date of arrest
Misdemeanor arrests resulting in conviction: 10 years from date of arrest
Misdemeanor arrests without conviction: 3 years from date of arrest
Arrest records for deceased individuals: 3 years after confirmation of death

Court Case Records:

Felony case files: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
Traffic violations: 3 years after case closure
Domestic violence cases: 25 years after case closure
Sexual offense cases: Permanent retention
Juvenile delinquency records: Until subject reaches age 18, then sealed (with exceptions for violent offenses)

Incarceration Records:

Jail booking and release information: 10 years
Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
Disciplinary reports: 3 years after inmate release
Visitor logs: 3 years

Probation/Parole Records:

Felony supervision: 10 years after supervision completion
Misdemeanor supervision: 5 years after supervision completion
Revocation proceedings: Same as underlying offense

Investigative Records:

Homicide investigations: Permanent retention
Sexual assault investigations: 25 years
Other felony investigations: 10 years after case closure
Misdemeanor investigations: 5 years after case closure
Unfounded investigations: 3 years

Certain records may be eligible for expungement or sealing under specific circumstances as provided in North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-32-07.2. This includes:

First-time, non-violent offenses after completion of all sentencing requirements
Deferred imposition of sentence cases after successful probation completion
Misdemeanors after 5 years with no subsequent convictions
Marijuana possession offenses prior to 2019

Records that have been expunged or sealed are removed from public access but may be retained for law enforcement and judicial purposes with restricted access. The physical destruction of records occurs only after the completion of the mandated retention period and following approval from the State Records Management Committee.

Digital records maintained in the North Dakota Courts Records Management System are subject to the same retention schedules as physical records, though technological capabilities may allow for longer practical retention periods.