Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
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The Dakota County Jail roster in Minnesota is available through the Sheriff’s Office official inmate-search system. Search by last name, first name, date posted or court date to find people currently held at the county jail in Hastings.
The Dakota County Jail is at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. For current inmate information, call 651-438-4800. This guide covers Dakota County, Minnesota—not Dakota County, Nebraska.
Official Dakota County Jail Roster & Inmate Lookup
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office maintains the county’s public adult inmate search. The tool is intended to help identify people currently in custody; it is not a complete history of everyone arrested or booked in Dakota County.
Hastings, MN 55033
What search fields are available?
Does the roster include every Dakota County arrest?
No. The Sheriff’s Office expressly states that the inmate search displays only people currently in custody. A person who was cited and released, transferred or released after booking may not appear.
Is the jail search information guaranteed accurate?
No. The county warns that information may be incomplete or outdated and that a person may have provided false identification. The Sheriff’s Office explains that identity can be definitively confirmed only through fingerprint comparison.
Are court times on the roster final?
No. The county describes the listed court times as estimates that may change. For questions about a court appearance, contact Dakota County District Court at 651-377-7188.
How to Search the Dakota County Jail Roster by Name
Visit the official Jail Inmate Search.
Locate Last name, First name, From date posted, To date posted and Court date.
Start with the person’s last name. You can add the first name to narrow the results.
Enter a posting-date range or court date if you know it. An incorrect date can exclude the correct record.
The county instructs users to enter a value in any one field before searching.
Compare the displayed name and available booking or court information.
Read the information the system makes available and record relevant identifiers.
Call the jail at 651-438-4800 if you need to confirm a person’s status before traveling or paying bail.
Can I search using only a last name?
Yes. The county allows a search with a value in any one field. Adding the first name can help distinguish people with similar surnames.
Can I search by booking number?
The public form prominently provides name, date-posted and court-date fields; a separate booking-number search field is not confirmed on the published form. Use the available name or date fields, then ask the jail about a known booking number.
Can I search using a court date?
Yes. The form includes a Court date field. Remember that court times are estimates and may change.
Can I search the roster from a phone?
Yes. Open the county’s website in a mobile browser and use the search form. If it does not load, enable JavaScript or try another browser.
Dakota County Jail Booking Records & Recent Arrests
The Dakota County Jail is the primary adult booking and detention facility for the county. The public search provides a way to locate current inmates, but it should not be confused with a complete daily booking log or historical arrest archive.
How to look for a recent booking
Does the roster show all bookings from the last 24 hours?
No. Because only current inmates are displayed, a person booked and released within that period may not appear. The posting-date filter does not turn the search into a complete historical arrest log.
How do I find an older Dakota County booking?
Ask the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office about records for the specific incident or booking date. The county may require a public-data request, and some information may be restricted under Minnesota law.
What is the difference between a booking and a criminal case?
A booking is an intake event at a detention facility. A criminal court case is a legal proceeding. An arrest may occur without a conviction, and a criminal case may continue after a person leaves jail.
| Information needed | Best source | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Current adult inmate | County Jail Inmate Search | Only people currently in custody |
| Recent booking | Inmate search with posting dates | Released people may be absent |
| Historical arrest record | Responsible law-enforcement agency | Public-data restrictions may apply |
| Criminal complaint | Dakota County Criminal Complaint Search | Not the same as jail custody |
| Hearing or case disposition | Minnesota Court Records Online | Some records are restricted |
| Current state-prison custody | Minnesota DOC Public Viewer | Separate correctional system |
How to Read Dakota County Jail Booking & Custody Information
Not every field is guaranteed for every person or search result. The following explanations help interpret common jail and court terminology when those details are available.
| Term | Meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| In custody | Person appears in the current jail search | Status may change |
| Booking date | Date of intake into custody | May differ from arrest date |
| Date posted | Date associated with posting the public record | Not necessarily the arrest date |
| Booking number | Identifier for an intake event, when provided | May differ from a court case number |
| Charge | Alleged criminal offense or legal basis for detention | Not proof of conviction |
| Arresting agency | Agency involved in the arrest | May differ from the jail operator |
| Bail amount | Amount associated with a release condition | Other holds may prevent release |
| Body Only | Warrant requiring custody without a preset bail amount | Requires court review |
| Court date | Scheduled appearance information | County warns dates and times may change |
| Release | Departure from jail custody | Does not necessarily dismiss the case |
Does the roster show convictions?
The inmate search is a custody tool, not a complete criminal-history report. Use Minnesota Court Records Online to check available case outcomes.
What does Body Only mean?
Dakota County explains that a Body Only warrant requires the person to be taken into custody because no bail amount is set before court review.
Can two people have the same name?
Yes. The county cautions that people may provide false identifying information and that fingerprints are necessary for definitive identity confirmation.
Dakota County Jail Mugshots & Booking Photographs
Dakota County’s official jail-search page focuses on current custody information. A publicly displayed mugshot is not guaranteed for every search result.
How to look for an official booking photograph
Can I request a mugshot after someone is released?
You may inquire with the responsible law-enforcement agency. Whether an image can be disclosed depends on the applicable record and Minnesota data-practices requirements.
Are third-party mugshot websites official?
No. For custody confirmation, use Dakota County’s own inmate search. Third-party copies may be incomplete or outdated.
Why Someone May Not Appear on the Dakota County Jail Roster
What to do after a no-result search
Where can I find Minnesota state-prison inmates?
Use the Minnesota DOC Public Viewer.
Where can I find federal inmates?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
Does the adult jail search include juveniles?
Do not assume so. Dakota County operates a separate Juvenile Services Center, and juvenile records may be restricted. Parents or legal guardians can contact the center at 651-438-4970 for authorized inquiries.
Dakota County Jail Bail & Bonds: Official Payment Options
Dakota County publishes specific bail and bond procedures, including payment options for eligible warrants and kiosks at the Law Enforcement Center.
Where can eligible bail or bond be paid?
| Location | Published payment information |
|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Center, Hastings | Lobby kiosks available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for cash bail or bond |
| Judicial Center, Hastings | District Court Administration window, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding holidays |
| Northern Service Center, West St. Paul | District Court Administration window, same weekday business hours |
| Western Service Center, Apple Valley | District Court Administration window, same weekday business hours |
The county says the court windows accept cash or bonds issued by bonding agents, not electronic payments. The Law Enforcement Center has cash-bail/bond kiosks. Confirm the current instructions and any kiosk transaction rules before paying.
How to verify bail before making payment
Can someone else pay bail for a person with an eligible warrant?
Yes. Dakota County states that another person may pay the amount due for an eligible warrant at a District Court Administration window. The person named in the warrant does not need to appear personally just to make that payment.
What happens when an eligible warrant is paid?
According to the county, paying the applicable bail or bond can deactivate the warrant and result in a new court date. This does not apply to Body Only warrants.
What if the warrant says Body Only?
There is no preset bail amount. The person must be taken into custody for the required court review. Do not attempt to resolve a Body Only warrant by sending money to an unofficial payment service.
Dakota County Jail Visitation: Scheduling & Visitor Rules
Visitation is governed by the Dakota County Jail’s security and custody policies. The Sheriff’s Office publishes a custody policy manual covering inmate visits, attorney access and related procedures.
How to arrange a jail visit
Can attorneys visit inmates?
Yes. The county’s custody manual provides for attorney visits in a private interview room, subject to legitimate safety and security considerations. Attorneys should coordinate professional access with jail staff.
Can family members visit without an appointment?
Do not assume walk-in visitation is available. Contact the jail for current appointment and eligibility rules.
Can a visit be canceled?
Yes. Jail security, operational needs, inmate restrictions or emergencies may affect visits.
Are visits monitored?
Ordinary jail visits may be monitored according to facility rules. Attorney visits require appropriate confidentiality protections.
Dakota County Jail Inmate Phone Calls & Communication
Dakota County uses a managed inmate telephone system. A county procurement document describes telephone equipment, communication monitoring and phone-card integration, but the current provider and consumer rates should be confirmed directly because service contracts can change.
How to arrange telephone communication
Can I call an inmate directly?
Incoming public calls generally are not transferred directly to jail housing units. Ask staff about approved inmate-initiated calls and urgent-message procedures.
Are phone calls recorded?
Ordinary inmate calls may be monitored or recorded. Attorneys should arrange protected legal communications through the facility’s approved process.
Can I send electronic messages?
Ask the jail whether electronic messaging is currently offered and which provider manages it. Do not assume a third-party service supports Dakota County Jail.
What if I receive a suspicious payment request?
Do not send money based on an unsolicited call or message. Verify the inmate’s status and any service provider independently using the county’s official contact information.
Dakota County Jail Commissary, Canteen & Inmate Deposits
Commissary accounts allow eligible inmates to purchase approved personal items. However, the current deposit provider, transaction fees and limits must be confirmed before funds are sent.
How to send money safely
Can I use a bail kiosk to fund commissary?
Do not assume so. Dakota County’s bail page specifically describes lobby kiosks for cash bail or bond. Confirm commissary payment instructions separately.
Can I send a care package?
Ask whether the jail has an approved care-package program. Do not order through a third-party vendor without confirmation.
What if an inmate is released after I deposit money?
Ask the authorized provider and jail about remaining-account balances and refund procedures before making a deposit.
Dakota County Jail Inmate Mail & Correspondence
The Dakota County Jail operates at the Law Enforcement Center in Hastings. However, the current inmate personal-mail processing address and any separate legal-mail instructions should be verified directly with the facility before sending correspondence.
1580 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Do not assume this is the current processing address for every category of inmate mail.
How to mail an inmate safely
Can I include cash in a letter?
Do not send cash, checks or money orders unless the jail specifically confirms an approved procedure.
Can I send books or magazines?
Ask whether books or publications must come directly from an approved retailer or publisher and whether prior authorization is required.
Does legal mail use the same address?
Not necessarily. Attorneys should confirm the facility’s privileged-mail procedures before mailing confidential correspondence.
Dakota County Jail Property Release & Medication Questions
Property held at intake may be subject to inmate authorization and facility release procedures. Evidence retained by an arresting agency is handled separately.
How to request inmate property
Can I bring prescription medication?
Contact jail staff for medical intake instructions. Do not bring medications to the facility without approval.
Can I deliver clothing or other personal items?
Ask whether the jail currently accepts the specific item and whether it requires advance approval.
What happens to a cellphone during booking?
Dakota County’s voluntary-surrender instructions state that a cellphone brought during booking is taken and returned upon release. The county also notes that charging stations are available in the jail lobby.
Dakota County Criminal Court Records, Charges & Hearing Dates
Dakota County is part of Minnesota’s First Judicial District. The county jail search may show estimated court times, but official court records should be used for case status, filed charges and dispositions.
How to search a Dakota County criminal case
What number should I call about an inmate’s court time?
The Sheriff’s Office directs questions about listed court times to District Court at 651-377-7188.
Does release from jail mean the case was dismissed?
No. A person can be released on bail, under supervision or by court order while a case remains pending.
Can I search Dakota County criminal complaints?
Yes. The county’s Public Safety & Justice page links to its Criminal Complaint Search.
Can I view sealed or juvenile cases?
Not necessarily. Some case types and documents are restricted by law or court order.
Dakota County Warrant Search & Turning Yourself In
Dakota County operates a separate official warrant search. A warrant search and a jail inmate search answer different questions: a warrant may be active even when a person is not currently in jail.
How to search an active warrant
Can I pay an eligible warrant without being booked into jail?
Dakota County explains that eligible bail or bond can be paid at District Court Administration windows during business hours, potentially avoiding jail booking. A Body Only warrant does not qualify for this option.
Where can someone voluntarily surrender?
The county identifies its District Court locations, local city law-enforcement agencies and the Law Enforcement Center as surrender options. Review the official instructions for hours, required documents and expected processing.
What should someone bring when turning themselves in?
The county recommends photo identification, a current prescription-medication list, seasonally appropriate clothing, appropriate bail funds if applicable, essential assistive devices and transportation contact information. Avoid bringing weapons, excessive personal items, electronics and perishable food.
Dakota County Jail Release Alerts & Minnesota VINE
The Sheriff’s Office directs the public to Minnesota’s Victim Information and Notification Everyday service for custody-status information and registration for eligible notifications about changes in status, location or release.
How to check release-notification options
Will VINELink guarantee an immediate release alert?
No. Notification timing and availability depend on participating systems and record updates. Do not rely solely on automated notifications for urgent safety decisions.
Dakota County Jail Address, Phone Numbers & Google Map
Hastings, MN 55033
Hastings, MN 55033
Location note: The jail is at the Law Enforcement Center, 1580 Highway 55. Dakota County’s Administration Center is a separate building at 1590 Highway 55. Confirm the appropriate entrance before visiting.
Get directions to Dakota County Jail →
Before going to the jail
Official Dakota County Jail & Minnesota Records Resources
Official search for people currently in custody, with name, posting-date and court-date fields.
Search current inmates →Official jail overview and detention contact information.
Open jail information →Official Sheriff’s Office contact information, operations and public-safety services.
Visit Sheriff’s Office →County-approved court payment locations, cash-bail kiosks and Body Only warrant information.
Read bail instructions →Official name and date-of-birth search for warrants.
Search warrants →Official surrender locations, recommended items and processing information.
Read surrender instructions →Published jail policies, including attorney and other visitation procedures.
Read custody policies →Search available case information, court events and dispositions.
Search court cases →Search state correctional custody separately from the county jail.
Search state inmates →Search available federal inmate information.
Search federal inmates →Check Minnesota custody-status notification options.
Check notifications →Official facility inspection documentation for Dakota County Jail.
Read inspection report →Source and verification note: Dakota County government pages support the current-custody search restrictions, search fields, jail and Sheriff contact numbers, bail procedures, warrant search and surrender instructions. Minnesota DOC inspection records support the facility address. Current visitation hours, inmate-mail processing address, communication provider and commissary vendor were not established from current official instructions and must be confirmed with the jail. The county jail overview describes 263 beds; separate operational-capacity figures in procurement materials may use different definitions.
Dakota County Jail Roster FAQs
1. How do I search the Dakota County Jail roster?
Open the official Dakota County Jail Inmate Search at dakotacountymn.gov/residents/public-safety-justice/jail/inmate-search. Enter a last name, first name, posting-date range or court date, then select Search. The county displays only people currently in custody. Call 651-438-4800 for confirmation.
2. Does the Dakota County Jail roster show everyone arrested in the county?
No. Dakota County expressly states that only people currently in custody are displayed. People who were released, transferred or never booked into the jail may not appear. The search is not a complete historical arrest or booking archive.
3. What is the Dakota County Jail address and phone number?
Dakota County Jail is located at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The jail information number is 651-438-4800, and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office number is 651-438-4700.
4. Can I find Dakota County Jail mugshots online?
The county’s official inmate search provides current custody information, but a booking photograph is not guaranteed for every result. If a photograph is not publicly displayed, contact the Sheriff’s Office to ask whether it is available under Minnesota public-data rules.
5. How do I find recent Dakota County Jail bookings or releases?
Use the official inmate search and its From date posted and To date posted fields to look for recent current-custody records. Because released people are not displayed, the search is not a complete 24-hour booking or release log. Contact the Sheriff’s Office about older records.
6. How do I pay bail or bond in Dakota County?
Dakota County provides 24-hour cash bail or bond kiosks in the Law Enforcement Center lobby. Eligible warrant bail or bond may also be paid at District Court Administration windows in Hastings, West St. Paul or Apple Valley during weekday business hours. Verify the amount and eligibility first. Body Only warrants have no preset bail amount.
7. How do I schedule a visit at Dakota County Jail?
Call Dakota County Jail at 651-438-4800 to confirm the current visiting schedule, visit format, inmate eligibility, identification rules and appointment requirements. The Sheriff’s Office publishes a custody policy manual, but a current public visiting timetable was not independently confirmed here.
8. How can I contact a Dakota County Jail inmate by phone?
Call the jail at 651-438-4800 to confirm the current approved inmate telephone provider and whether collect or prepaid calls are available. Review provider fees before funding an account. Ordinary inmate communications may be monitored or recorded.
9. How do I send money or mail to a Dakota County Jail inmate?
Contact the jail at 651-438-4800 for its current authorized commissary deposit provider, account-identification requirements and inmate-mail processing address. Do not assume the cash-bail kiosks accept commissary deposits or that the jail’s physical address is the correct address for all inmate correspondence.
10. Does appearing on the Dakota County Jail roster mean someone was convicted?
No. An arrest, booking or criminal charge does not establish guilt. The jail search shows custody-related information. Use Minnesota Court Records Online and Dakota County District Court to check available criminal case filings, hearing information and dispositions.