Cass County Criminal Records
What Is Cass County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Cass County, North Dakota, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and serve as the authoritative source for background checks, legal proceedings, and public safety purposes.
Understanding the distinctions among record types is essential for members of the public seeking accurate information:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court, either through a guilty plea or a trial verdict. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Under North Dakota law, felonies are the most serious offenses and are classified as Class AA, A, B, or C felonies. Misdemeanors are less severe and are classified as Class A or B misdemeanors. The classification determines sentencing ranges and long-term collateral consequences.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile records are confidential under N.D. Cent. Code § 27-20.4-54 and are typically sealed to protect the privacy of minors, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest and remain in force until executed or recalled. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The principal agencies maintaining Cass County criminal records include:
- Cass County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- Fargo Police Department — maintains local arrest and incident reports
- South District Court (Cass County) — maintains case filings, arraignments, pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and probation or parole documentation
- North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) — maintains statewide criminal history records
A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and any conditions of probation or parole. Members of the public may access court case information through the North Dakota Court System portal.
Cass County Sheriff's Office 211 9th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 241-5800 Cass County Sheriff's Office
Cass County District Court 211 9th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 241-5645 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Cass County District Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Cass County
Criminal records in Cass County are presumptively open to the public under North Dakota's open records framework. Pursuant to N.D. Cent. Code § 44-04-18, all records of public entities are open and accessible to any member of the public unless specifically exempted by law. This statute establishes a strong presumption of openness and places the burden on the government to justify any withholding of records.
The following categories of criminal records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing
- Court case filings and docket entries for criminal proceedings
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by law enforcement agencies
- Sex offender registration information as required by state law
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records: Confidential under state statute and accessible only to authorized parties such as the juvenile, parents, attorneys, and certain government agencies
- Sealed records: Cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
- Ongoing investigations: Records related to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
- Certain mental health and medical information contained within criminal case files
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Cass County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Cass County criminal records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required.
Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the record sought is a court case record, an arrest record, or a comprehensive criminal history. Court records are held by the District Court; arrest and booking records are held by the Sheriff's Office or local police; statewide criminal histories are maintained by the BCI.
Step 2 — Search online portals first. The North Dakota Courts provide a public online search tool that allows users to locate case records by defendant name, case number, citation number, or attorney information. This is the most efficient starting point for court-based criminal records.
Step 3 — Submit a written request if needed. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written public records request to the Cass County District Court Clerk or the Cass County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the subject by full legal name and date of birth.
Step 4 — Request a statewide criminal history check. For a comprehensive background check, individuals may submit a request to the North Dakota Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The process for requesting a criminal history record check requires a completed request form and applicable fee, payable by check or money order to "ND Attorney General."
Step 5 — Appear in person if required. Certain records, particularly those involving sensitive case details or older paper files, may require an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court's office during public counter hours.
How To Find Criminal Records in Cass County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Cass County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
North Dakota Court Records Public Search Portal The primary online resource for court-based criminal records is the ND Court Records inquiry system. This portal allows users to search by:
- Case number
- Case cross-reference number
- Defendant name (default search method)
- Citation number
- Attorney name or bar number
- Date filed
The portal contains case filings, hearing dates, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information for cases processed through the North Dakota district court system, including Cass County. No registration is required for basic public searches.
Criminal Case Records Search Guidance The criminal case records search help page provided by the North Dakota Court System offers detailed instructions for navigating the public search portal, including how to narrow results and interpret case status codes.
North Dakota Attorney General — Criminal History Records For a formal background check that includes statewide arrest and conviction data, the Attorney General's office processes requests submitted by mail or in person. This resource is particularly useful for employment screening and licensing purposes.
Cass County Jail Roster Current jail roster information, reflecting individuals currently held in the Cass County Jail, may be available through the Sheriff's Office. Members of the public should contact the Sheriff's Office directly for the most current booking information.
Records that are available only in person include older archived case files, sealed records accessible only to authorized parties, and certain law enforcement investigative reports.
Can You Search Cass County Criminal Records for Free?
Under N.D. Cent. Code § 44-04-18, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to receive copies at no cost; fees may be assessed for reproduction of records.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- ND Court Records public search portal — Free online access to court case records, including criminal case filings and dispositions, through the ND Court Records system
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Court — Members of the public may inspect physical court records at the Cass County District Court Clerk's office during regular business hours at no charge
- Criminal case search help — Guidance on conducting searches is freely available through the North Dakota Court System website
Fees are typically assessed for the following:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Printed copies of records (per-page fees apply)
- Formal criminal history background checks processed by the BCI
The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services currently facilitates criminal background checks for providers and regulated entities, which may involve fingerprinting fees at designated locations throughout the state.
What's Included in a Cass County Criminal Record?
A complete Cass County criminal record may contain several categories of information, depending on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Fargo PD, or other law enforcement)
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
Court Case Information
- Case number and court jurisdiction (Cass County District Court)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Entered plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record information
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details, including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision
- Probation or parole terms
- Appeals filed or pending
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI or DWI convictions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Cass County Keep Criminal Records?
Cass County and the State of North Dakota maintain criminal records according to established retention schedules governed by state law and administrative rule. Under North Dakota Administrative Code and court administrative policies, retention periods vary by record type.
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the District Court and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of ten years following case closure, with many records kept permanently in electronic systems
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained according to agency policy; individuals may petition for expungement under applicable state law
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 23, after which records may be destroyed unless the case involved a serious felony
- Court case files (general): The North Dakota Court System retains electronic case records indefinitely; paper records follow the North Dakota Records Retention Schedule
- Jail booking records: Maintained by the Cass County Sheriff's Office; retention periods are governed by the county's records retention schedule, generally a minimum of seven years
Expungement of criminal records in North Dakota is governed by N.D. Cent. Code § 12-60-16.6, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures for sealing certain arrest and conviction records. Once a record is expunged, it is no longer accessible through standard public search tools.