Pope County Booking Reports and Arrest Records
Pope County Booking Reports are public records generated each time someone is arrested and booked into custody by the Pope County Sheriff in Glenwood, Minnesota. This page covers how to access those records, what they contain, and how to use statewide tools when a county-level inquiry is not enough. Pope County is a rural west-central Minnesota county, and the sheriff's office in Glenwood handles all local booking activity.
Pope County Booking Reports
Pope County Sheriff's Office
The Pope County Sheriff's Office is located at 130 E Minnesota Avenue in Glenwood. The sheriff oversees patrol, civil process, and jail operations for the county. All booking records for Pope County are created and maintained at this office. For current custody questions or to request a booking record, the sheriff's office is the right contact.
| Address | 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 320-634-5411 |
| Judicial District | 8th |
The Pope County Sheriff's Office main number is 320-634-5411. Staff can confirm current custody status and direct you to the proper process for a formal booking records request. Pope County is part of the 8th Judicial District, which covers a large area of west-central Minnesota including several neighboring counties.
About Pope County Booking Records
Pope County is a smaller rural county with Glenwood as its seat. The county sits along Lake Minnewaska in west-central Minnesota. The sheriff's office handles a lower volume of bookings compared to metro counties, but the same laws apply. Booking records are public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which classifies arrest data as public and requires agencies to make it available on request.
Each booking report includes the arrested person's name, date of birth, arrest date and time, the charges, and the arresting agency. Bail information is added once a judge sets it. This data is created at the time of booking. For recent arrests, calling the office at 320-634-5411 is the quickest way to check current custody status.
Pope County does not maintain a publicly accessible live jail roster online. If you cannot confirm someone's custody status by phone, a written data request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act is the formal route. The office is required to respond within a reasonable time and provide public arrest data.
Note: Booking reports document arrest events only and do not constitute proof of guilt; all charges are subject to the legal process of the 8th Judicial District.
Requesting Booking Records from Pope County
To request booking records from Pope County, you can call the sheriff's office at 320-634-5411 for current custody status. For older records or for documentation you plan to use formally, submit a written request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Address it to the Pope County Sheriff, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334.
In your request, include the person's full name and, if known, the approximate date of arrest. You do not need to state a reason for requesting public records. Basic arrest data is public under Section 13.82. The agency can charge a reasonable fee for copies, but the core data must be made available.
If the office denies your request and you think the denial is improper, the Information Policy Analysis Division at the Minnesota Department of Administration handles data practices issues. They can explain your rights and help resolve disputes without formal legal action in most cases.
Minnesota Court Records Online
Criminal cases arising from Pope County arrests are filed in the 8th Judicial District. Court records are separate from booking reports and are maintained by the district court administrator. Use Minnesota Court Records Online to search Pope County cases by name or case number. Basic lookups are free and show charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case status.
Booking records and court records serve different purposes. A booking report shows that an arrest happened. The court record tracks everything after: charges filed, hearings, plea, and final outcome. Together they give you a complete view of a criminal matter from arrest through disposition.
For certified copies of court records or access to full case files, contact the Pope County court administrator's office in Glenwood. They can advise on what is available and what fees apply for copy requests.
Minnesota BCA Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is a strong resource for Pope County research because it covers all 87 Minnesota counties. The BCA collects arrest data, charges, and case dispositions statewide, including from Pope County. It is more comprehensive than a single-county jail roster because it spans the full state and includes historical records.
Search the BCA at Minnesota BCA Criminal History Search. A fee applies for public record searches. The BCA is most useful when you are researching someone who has arrest history in multiple counties or when you want a broader picture than a single booking report provides. For current Pope County custody, the sheriff's office is still the direct source.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator
When someone arrested in Pope County is convicted and sentenced to a state prison term, they leave the county jail and enter the Minnesota Department of Corrections system. The county jail roster will no longer show them at that point. Use the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator to find people in state custody or on supervised release.
The DOC tool is free and searchable by name or DOC number. It shows the current facility, sentence information, and supervised release status. County and state records are completely separate systems. If a search of Pope County's jail comes up empty, checking the DOC tool is the right next step to determine if someone moved into state custody.
VINE Custody Notifications
VINE is a free custody notification service available for all Minnesota county jails and state facilities. Register at VINELink or call 1-877-MN-4-VINE (1-877-664-8463) to set up alerts for a specific person. VINE will notify you by phone, text, or email when that person's custody status changes. This includes releases, transfers, and new bookings at Pope County or any other facility.
Note: VINE alerts are based on official jail and corrections data, so there may be a short delay between an actual status change and when the notification is sent.
Third-Party Search Tools
Aggregator sites like Minnesota Jail Roster compile publicly available booking data from counties across the state. Coverage for smaller counties like Pope can be inconsistent. These tools are useful as a starting point or for multi-county research, but official sources are more reliable for Pope County specifically. Always confirm any data from aggregator sites with the sheriff's office before relying on it.
Nearby Counties
Pope County borders several west-central Minnesota counties. Use these links to search booking records in neighboring jurisdictions.