Otter Tail County, MN Arrests & Jail Records
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How To Search Otter Tail County Arrest Records?
About 800 of the estimated 112,000 arrests reported in Minnesota occur in Otter Tail County. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) ensures that the public may request records of these arrests without stating a reason.
However, certain records may be withheld if their release may reveal law enforcement techniques or compromise an individual's privacy. In such cases, the custodian must cite the specific legal provision that justifies keeping the information confidential. Despite these limitations, exempt records remain accessible to authorized individuals, such as the subject of the record and the County Attorney. Arrest records in Otter Tail County are available for a fee ranging from $0.25 to $45, though individuals requesting their records may pay only the actual cost of reproduction.
How To Look Up Otter Tail County Arrest Records?
In addition to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), arrest records are also maintained by other entities, including the District Court, the Sheriff's Office, and local police departments.
Otter Tail County Sheriff Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office may be obtained by printing the Record Request Form. It is important to complete Section A and append a signature before mailing the request to:
417 S Court Street
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Otter Tail County Police Arrest Records
To obtain police arrest records in Otter Tail County, you must first identify the police department responsible for the arrest. Then, you may make your request in person with details such as the arrestee's name, as well as the time and location of the arrest. Alternatively, a written request may be submitted to the relevant police department's mailing address
Otter Tail County is served by several police departments, including:
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is tasked with managing criminal history records and may only release information relating to arrests through the criminal background check process. Upon receiving a criminal background check request, the BCA must search the Minnesota Criminal History System and FBI records contingent to authorization.
Otter Tail residents with the intent to conduct criminal background checks on others must fill out the General Informed Consent Form. This form requires the notarized consent of the individual named on the record and must be accompanied by the required fees of $15, sent to the following address:
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106
On the other hand, residents seeking their personal criminal history records may file an in-person request at the BCA Office on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Alternatively, a Mail-In Personal Request Consent Form may also be completed and submitted along with the $8 required fees to the BCA mailing address.
Otter Tail County Criminal Court Records
To locate arrest information associated with criminal cases filed in the Otter Tail District Court, individuals may use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) website. This platform allows searches by case number, citation number, business or party name, or attorney bar number. While MCRO provides convenient online access, the most accurate and comprehensive records are available at the courthouse through public access terminals. Additionally, individuals may request paper copies of criminal court records directly at the courthouse.
Interested parties may also obtain Otter Tail arrest records from the comfort of their home by using reliable third-party websites like InfoTracer.
Arrest Statistics
In Otter Tail County, law enforcement agencies log approximately 800 arrests each year. The arrest figures shown below are derived from the Minnesota Crime Data Explorer:
| OFFENSE | NUMBER OF ARRESTS |
|---|---|
| Robbery | 2 |
| Theft | 6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 |
| Rape | 2 |
| Burglary | 10 |
| Arson | 1 |
| Simple Assault | 82 |
| Aggravated Assault | 28 |
Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office
It is situated in Otter Tail county, Minnesota with a total number of 83 employees - 1 female, 35 male officers and 47 civilians. Otter Tail County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is MN0560000, it belongs to the West North Central division in the Midwest region with a region code of Region II.
- Agency Name: Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office
- State: Minnesota
- City: Fergus Falls
- Type: County
- Address: 417 Court St. S.
- Phone Number: 218-998-8530
- Email: bschluet@co.ottertail.mn.us
Police Departments in Otter Tail County
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls Police Department | 122 W Junius Avenue | 218-998-8555 |
Otter Tail County Jail
- Agency Name: Otter Tail County Detention Center
- State: MN
- City: Fergus Falls
- Type: County
- Address: 417 Court Street South
- Phone Number: 218-998-8555
- Website: http://www.co.otter-tail.mn.us/288/Sheriffs-Office