Criminal records of Minnehaha County, South Dakota, are available through several channels. MinnehahaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official judicial system, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk of court's office located in Sioux Falls.
How to Search Criminal Records in Minnehaha
There are several proven ways to find criminal records in Minnehaha County. Start with the one that best suits your situation.
Online Search
- MinnehahaCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- Public Access Records Search (PARS) — the state portal South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides summarized information about criminal court cases. You will need the person's full name or case number to search.
- UJS Find Court Date — this tool shows the court hearing calendar for criminal, civil, and family cases. Select Minnehaha County and the desired date.
In-Person Visit
The Minnehaha County Clerk of Court welcomes visitors who want to view court cases or order copies of documents. The office is part of the Second Judicial Circuit.
The courthouse usually has public access terminals where you can view records independently.
Written Request
A request for criminal history can be sent by mail to the clerk of court or to the state criminal records repository — Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) at the South Dakota Attorney General's office. Include in your request:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Copy of the applicant's ID
- Payment of the applicable fee
Search Minnehaha Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal record. In South Dakota, case numbers have a standardized format consisting of several elements:
- County code — a two-digit code identifying the county (for Minnehaha, it's 49).
- Case type — a letter designation of the category, such as CRI (criminal case) or CRR (criminal offense).
- Year of filing — a two-digit number indicating the year the case was filed.
- Sequential number — a unique sequential number within the year.
Example: 49CRI24-001234 means a criminal case filed in Minnehaha County in 2024 with the sequential number 001234. If you have such a number, enter it into the PARS portal or inform the court clerk — this is the fastest way to the desired document.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Minnehaha
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) under which the charges are brought |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the initial charges — reduce or add new counts during the trial |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, proceedings are not yet completed.
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court.
- Disposed — the court has rendered a decision, the case is resolved.
- Closed — all procedures are completed, the case is closed.
Hearings
A criminal case in the county goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused before the court, announcement of charges.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (only for felony).
- Pre-Trial — parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements.
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review — checking compliance with the conditions of the sentence, such as probation.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Withheld Judgment | The court postponed sentencing, usually with probation conditions |
| Acquitted | Acquitted following trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Minnehaha
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration. Here's how to obtain them.
Through the Clerk of Court
The Minnehaha County Clerk of Court issues certified copies of court documents. Visit in person or send a written request.
What you need for the request:
- Full name of the accused or case number
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Valid photo ID
- Payment of the certification fee
Through the State Repository
To obtain a complete criminal history of a person statewide, submit a request to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). DCI conducts checks based on fingerprints or by name. Fingerprint appointment signup is available through the official Minnehaha County website (section Fingerprinting Appointment Signup).
Through the Sheriff's Office
The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office provides information about current inmates and the call log. Details about detention in Minnehaha County Jail are also available online.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Minnehaha
Fees are determined by South Dakota law. Below is an approximate table.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 | According to SDCL § 16-2-29 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document | In addition to the cost of copies |
| Criminal history search through DCI (by name) | $15.00 | May vary; check with DCI |
| Fingerprint-based check (DCI) | $43.25 | Includes FBI fee for national check |
Processing Times
- Online search through PARS — results are available instantly.
- Request to the clerk of court (in person) — usually the same day or within 1–3 business days.
- Written request by mail — from 5 to 10 business days, depending on the volume of the request.
- Check through DCI — from 3 to 15 business days for fingerprint-based checks.
For urgent needs, the most effective option is an in-person visit to the clerk of court's office in Sioux Falls. Payment is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order; confirm the possibility of card payment directly at the office.