Ramsey Criminal & Traffic Division

For information about a case, call the Criminal and Traffic Court at (651) 266-1999. 

If you would like to view or obtain a copy of a court document, call the Records Office at (651) 266-8237. Be prepared to provide the case number or the defendant's name and the date of birth.

If you are calling about several different cases or want a complete record of offenses for an individual, you will need to search the records on your own. Public access terminals are available at the Kellogg and Suburban Courthouses. 

If it's necessary to notify you of a first appearance or a change in a court date from a previously scheduled time, you will receive a notice in the mail. To avoid missing an appearance, keep the court informed of your correct mailing address by calling (651) 266-1999.

Note: in certain circumstances, a complaint will be filed as an arrest warrant and no court date will be mailed. In such a case, you will need to turn yourself in. See the Warrants and Bail section below for more information.

If you have an attorney, ask them to make the request. If you don’t have an attorney, contact the court at (651) 266-1999 for instructions.

If you miss a court appearance, a warrant for your arrest may be ordered. For traffic offenses, the judge may order a warrant, suspension of your driver's license, and/or certification of the offense to your record. You may also lose any bail or bond you have posted. If you have already failed to appear, call the court at (651) 266-1999 to find out what happened.

If a public defender has already been appointed to represent you, visit the Public Defender website for contact information.  You will need to provide the name of the person you wish to contact.

You may choose to hire an attorney.  For attorney referral, visit the Find a Lawyer help topic on this Judicial Branch website.  

Yes, but keep in mind that you are required to know and follow all the rules of law and court procedure that an attorney would follow.

For more information, visit the Representing Yourself in Court help topic.

Court appearances are arranged in sessions, in which several cases are scheduled at the same time. A court session typically lasts half a day (morning or afternoon). It's important to be on time. In some court sessions, you or your attorney may have an opportunity to speak with the prosecutor before court begins.

If you plead guilty, you may be sentenced immediately. In some situations, the judge may order an investigation prior to sentencing you. If this is ordered, you will need to follow the instructions you receive and reappear later for sentencing.

If you plead Not Guilty, your trial will be on another day and a court date will be scheduled. The next appearance is typically a hearing for you, the judge, the prosecutor, and your attorney (if you have one) to meet to discuss legal issues and the merits of the case. If the matter cannot be resolved at that time, a trial will be scheduled.

Follow the instructions on the subpoena. You must appear on the date, time, and location specified, bring any documents named in the subpoena, and be prepared to testify under oath.

If you are an interested party who hasn't been subpoenaed, and if the trial/hearing is not closed to the public, you may attend. If you have been subpoenaed to testify, there may be restrictions. You should contact the party who issued the subpoena. If there is a No Contact Order in effect, all of the terms of the Order still apply.

• Online
• Call our automated payment line.  Call (651) 281-3219.  If you are calling from outside the metro area, call 1-800-657-3611.
  
  NOTE: If you are calling from a phone number with area codes 612, 651, 763, or 952, the (800) number WILL NOT WORK. If you are calling from a phone number with an international area code (including Canada), you must use the (651) number listed above.
• Appear in person at the Main Office location listed at the top of this page.
• By mail: Minnesota Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar MN 56201.  Do not mail cash.

Every warrant comes with terms on which you may be released. A bail amount may be specified, supervision may be ordered or the warrant may require that you remain in custody until your trial or until the terms of your release are reviewed at a hearing.

For information on the amount of bail and conditions of release, visit the Ramsey County Arrest Warrant Search or call the Warrant Office at (651) 266-9320.

For Ramsey County warrants, turn yourself in at the Law Enforcement Center, 425 Grove Street, St. Paul, MN  55101. Go to the Jail Entrance (open 24 hours) before 4:00 a.m. if you wish to be heard on the next available court calendar. You will be taken into custody, booked, and fingerprinted.  For more information, visit the Turning Yourself In page of the Ramsey County Sheriff's website.

If you are interested in contacting an inmate, picking them up upon their release, or posting their bail or bond, contact the Ramsey County Adult Detention Services Unit at (651) 266-9350.

If you are interested in contacting an inmate, picking them up upon their release, or posting their bail or bond, contact the Ramsey County Adult Detentions Services Unit at (651) 266-9350.