Dakota County 72 Hour Booking
Dakota County 72 hour booking records are kept at the Law Enforcement Center in Hastings. The Sheriff's Office runs the jail and posts an online inmate search tool. You can look up who is in custody right now and see their booking date, charges, and bail. Dakota County is part of the Twin Cities metro area and sits south of St. Paul. The jail books close to 9,000 people each year and has space for up to 270 inmates. If you want to find a recent arrest or check on someone held at the Dakota County Jail, there are a few ways to search. The 72 hour booking data is public under state law.
Dakota County Overview
Dakota County 72 Hour Booking Records
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office handles all bookings at the jail in Hastings. When law enforcement brings someone in, the jail staff searches, fingerprints, and photographs the person. They get jail clothes and bedding. This whole intake process creates a booking record that becomes public data. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, arrest data like the time, date, place, and charges must be made public.
The jail is at 1580 Highway 55 in Hastings. It is a 263-bed direct supervision facility. Correctional deputies watch inmates around the clock. The jail houses both male and female pre-trial inmates. It also holds people with sentences up to one year. In 2024, the average daily population was about 183 people. Call the jail at 651-438-4700 for booking questions.
| Facility | Dakota County Jail |
|---|---|
| Address |
Law Enforcement Center 1580 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033 |
| Jail Phone | 651-438-4700 |
| Sheriff Phone | 651-438-4710 |
| Website | Dakota County Inmate Search |
Search Dakota County Booking Records
The best way to find 72 hour booking records in Dakota County is the online inmate search. The county runs it through their website. It shows who is in custody right now. You can see booking numbers, names, sex, age, and the date of booking. Click on a name for more details like the arrest location, charges, bail amount, and a photo.
You can also search through Minnesota Court Records Online for case information tied to a booking. That free system shows case numbers, hearing dates, and docket entries. Keep in mind that pre-conviction criminal data has limits on what shows up online. For the most complete 72 hour booking record, contact the Dakota County Sheriff's Office at 651-438-4710. They can look up recent arrests by name or booking number.
The Dakota County inmate search portal shows only people who are currently in custody. The screenshot below shows what the search page looks like when you go to access booking records.
The search results include basic info about each person held at the jail. You can also use VINE to check custody status and get alerts when someone is released. VINE works for all Minnesota county jails.
72 Hour Booking Process in Dakota County
When a person is arrested in Dakota County, they go to the jail at the Law Enforcement Center. The booking starts right away. Staff take the person's photo and fingerprints. They record personal details and the charges. All of this data becomes part of the 72 hour booking record.
Minnesota law says certain arrest data is public. Under Statute 13.82, that includes the name, age, sex, and last known address of the person. It also covers the charges, when and where the arrest happened, and whether the person is still in jail. Booking photos are public too, per subdivision 26 of that same statute. But the jail may hold back a photo if it could hurt an active case.
After booking, the person gets a chance to post bail. For Dakota County charges, cash bail is taken at the jail lobby after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Bail is also accepted on weekends and holidays. You need the exact cash amount. No change is given. If someone cannot make bail, they stay in jail until a judge makes a decision.
Dakota County uses the warrant search page for people who want to check if a warrant is out for them. The screenshot below shows the warrant search tool on the county website.
Active warrants can lead to a new 72 hour booking if law enforcement finds the person. Contact the District Court at 651-377-7188 for questions about court times tied to a booking.
Note: Dakota County accepts bail for out-of-county warrants only if the person is already in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Dakota County Arrest Records and Public Data
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act controls what booking data is public. Most 72 hour booking records in Dakota County are open to anyone. You do not need to be a family member or a lawyer. The law spells out exactly which parts of an arrest record must be shared with the public.
Public arrest data under Statute 13.82 includes:
- Name, age, sex, and last known address of the arrested person
- Time, date, and place of the arrest
- Charges and legal basis for the arrest
- Where the person is being held
- Date and time of any release from custody
Some parts of a booking record are not public. Medical and mental health data gathered during intake is private under Statute 13.85. That law says corrections and detention data that would reveal medical, psychological, or financial details stays private. Juvenile booking records are also off limits to the public. The BCA Criminal History Search at chs.state.mn.us only shows conviction data, not arrest records.
The Dakota County homepage provides links to many of the county's public safety resources.
From the homepage you can reach the inmate search, warrant lookup, and other jail services. Contact the Sheriff's Office at 651-438-4710 for records requests.
Dakota County Jail Operations
The jail runs under rules set by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Minnesota Rules Chapter 2911 covers jail standards for things like cell size, food, medical care, and record keeping. Statute 641.05 requires that the jailer keep a record of each inmate. That record must note when they came in, why, and when they left.
Dakota County is a direct supervision jail. That means officers stay in the housing units with inmates instead of watching from behind glass. The setup helps keep order and lets staff respond fast. The facility houses people at minimum, medium, and maximum security levels.
Inmates can get mail sent to: Inmate's Name, C/O Dakota County Jail, P.O. Box 247-J, Hastings, MN 55033. Video visitation and phone services are also on hand. For details about these services, call the jail at 651-438-4700.
Court Records for Dakota County Bookings
After a 72 hour booking, most cases move to the Dakota County District Court. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District. You can look up case info through Minnesota Court Records Online. Search by name or case number. The system is free and shows hearing dates, docket entries, and case outcomes.
The court also posts a daily calendar that lists hearings, case numbers, and judges. Criminal, civil, and family cases all show up. If you need help finding court info tied to a Dakota County 72 hour booking, call the District Court at 651-377-7188. You can also use the DOC Public Viewer to check if someone has been sent to state prison after their case.
Cities in Dakota County
Dakota County covers the south metro area. All arrests in these cities lead to a 72 hour booking at the county jail in Hastings.
Other communities in Dakota County include Hastings, Farmington, Rosemount, and Inver Grove Heights. People arrested in any of these cities are booked at the Dakota County Jail.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Dakota County. Check the address where the arrest happened to make sure you search the right county's 72 hour booking records.