Traverse County Booking Reports
Traverse County Booking Reports are public records created at the time of each arrest and booking in Wheaton, Minnesota. The Traverse County Sheriff handles all local arrests, and the county operates a small jail facility for short-term detention. This page explains how to find current booking records, what the county jail can and cannot hold, and what statewide tools are available when county-level searches fall short. Traverse County sits on the South Dakota and North Dakota borders in far western Minnesota.
Traverse County Booking Reports
Traverse County Sheriff's Office
The Traverse County Sheriff's Office is located at 410 Broadway Avenue in Wheaton. The sheriff oversees law enforcement, civil process, and the county jail for this sparsely populated county. All booking records for Traverse County originate at this office. For questions about current custody or for formal record requests, the sheriff's office is the right place to start.
| Website | co.traverse.mn.us |
|---|---|
| Address | 410 Broadway Avenue, Wheaton, MN 56296 |
| Phone | 320-563-4244 |
| Judicial District | 8th |
The Traverse County website at co.traverse.mn.us provides county contact information and department links. For immediate custody questions, call the sheriff directly at 320-563-4244. Staff can confirm whether someone is held locally or has been transferred to another county facility.
About the Traverse County Jail
The Traverse County Jail is a very small facility with just 11 beds. This is one of the smallest jail capacities in Minnesota. The size reflects Traverse County's low population, which is among the smallest in the state. The jail handles short-term detentions for people arrested locally. When longer holds are needed or when capacity is reached, the county transfers detainees to neighboring county jails.
Because of this transfer practice, a booking that started in Traverse County may end up in Big Stone, Stevens, or Grant County. If you are trying to locate someone and the Traverse County Sheriff shows no current record, it is worth checking those neighboring facilities. Transfers are common in counties with small jail capacity.
Booking records are still created for all arrests in Traverse County regardless of where the person ends up held. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, those arrest records are public. The sheriff's office retains them even if the person is transferred out.
Note: If you cannot locate someone at the Traverse County Jail, contact the sheriff at 320-563-4244 to find out which county facility currently holds them.
What Booking Reports Include
A Traverse County booking report documents the arrest event. It includes the person's name, date of birth, the arrest date and time, the arresting agency, and the charges. Bail or bond information is recorded once a judge sets it. This data is public under Minnesota Statute 13.82.
Booking reports are not the same as criminal history records. A booking report shows that an arrest occurred on a specific date for specific charges. It does not show what happened in court afterward. For the full case outcome, you need to check court records through the 8th Judicial District. The two records together tell the complete story of a criminal matter.
Requesting Traverse County Booking Records
To get a booking record from Traverse County, call the sheriff at 320-563-4244 or submit a written request to 410 Broadway Avenue, Wheaton, MN 56296. Phone calls are the fastest way to check current custody. For older records or formal documentation, use a written request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Your request should include the full name of the person and, if known, the approximate date of arrest. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Basic arrest data is public by law. The agency may charge a reasonable fee for copies, but they cannot refuse to provide public records without a valid legal basis.
If you receive a denial you believe is improper, the Information Policy Analysis Division at the Minnesota Department of Administration can advise on your rights under the Government Data Practices Act. Most disputes are resolved without formal legal action.
Minnesota Court Records for Traverse County Cases
Criminal cases from Traverse County are handled by the 8th Judicial District. Court records track everything after the arrest: charges filed, hearings, pleas, and final case outcomes. These records are separate from booking reports and are held by the court administrator, not the sheriff.
Search Traverse County court records at Minnesota Court Records Online. Basic name and case number searches are free. You can see case status, charge descriptions, and hearing schedules. For certified copies or detailed case files, contact the Traverse County court administrator in Wheaton.
Minnesota BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension covers all 87 counties, including Traverse. The BCA is the right tool when you need criminal history across multiple counties or want records going back further than what a county jail roster provides. It collects arrest data, charge filings, and case dispositions statewide.
Use Minnesota BCA Criminal History Search for these broader lookups. A fee applies. For current Traverse County custody, the sheriff's office is still the direct source. The BCA is best for background research and multi-county inquiries.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator
If someone arrested in Traverse County was convicted and received a state prison sentence, they leave the county jail system entirely. At that point, check the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator to find them. The DOC tool is free and searches by name or DOC number. It shows current facility, sentence details, and supervised release information.
County jail records and DOC records are entirely separate. A name that does not appear at the Traverse County Jail or a neighboring county facility may appear in the DOC system if a state sentence was imposed. Checking both systems gives you the most complete picture.
VINE Custody Alerts
VINE provides free custody status notifications for all Minnesota county jails and state correctional facilities. This is especially useful for Traverse County, where detainees may be held at multiple facilities. Register at VINELink or call 1-877-MN-4-VINE. Choose to get alerts by phone, text, or email. The service is free and runs 24 hours a day.
Nearby Counties
Traverse County borders several counties in far western Minnesota. Use these links to check booking records in neighboring jurisdictions, including counties that may hold Traverse County detainees.