Thank you for visiting. We aim to provide clear help for your search regarding Burleigh County ND Arrest Records. We will cover official ways to find this key public data. Our goal is to make this task less hard for you. We focus on direct sources.
If you want to start a search right now, visit https://burleighcountyjails.org/burleigh-county-nd-arrest-records/. This site can help you begin your search for Burleigh County ND Arrest Records quickly. It provides access to tools and information focused on Burleigh County public records. Using the right resources from the start saves time and effort in finding the specific arrest information you need. Check it out to see if it meets your immediate needs.
What is an arrest record? It is an official paper. It shows that a person was taken into custody by the police. Or by a sheriff's deputy. This happens when law enforcement thinks a crime occurred. The record notes the event. But it is very key to know this. An arrest record does not prove guilt. It just shows that an arrest was made. A court case must occur to decide if the person is guilty of the crime. Many arrests do not lead to charges. Some charges get dropped later. So, view an arrest record only as a note of detention.
Burleigh County ND Arrest Records usually list key details. These facts help identify the person and the event. You can expect to find:
The person's full legal name.
Their date of birth.
A brief physical description. This may list height, weight, race, and hair or eye color.
The exact date and time the arrest took place.
The street address or general area where the arrest happened.
The specific laws the person was thought to have broken. These are the initial charges. They might change later in court.
Which police agency made the arrest. This could be the County Sheriff or city police.
The name or badge number of the officer is sometimes listed.
A photograph taken at the time of booking, known as a mugshot.
A record of the person's fingerprints.
This data is logged by the arresting agency. It forms the start of the official record for that event. Not all details may be public right away. Some info could be held back if it harms a case.
It is vital to grasp the contrast between an arrest and a conviction. An arrest record simply means police detained someone based on suspicion of a crime. It marks the beginning of the legal process. It does not mean the person committed the crime. Many factors can follow an arrest. Charges might be filed, or they might be dropped. The person could be released with no charges. Or the case might go to court.
A criminal conviction record is quite different. This record is created only if a person is found guilty of a crime in court. This finding can result from a trial verdict. Or it can come from a guilty plea. A conviction record is proof of guilt under the law. These records are kept by the courts. They are also part of the state's official criminal history database managed by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). So, an arrest shows suspicion and detention. A conviction shows legal guilt found by a court. This difference is key for jobs, housing, and background checks.
Finding official Burleigh County ND Arrest Records means going to the source. You should contact the agencies that make arrests or keep records. This ensures the data is correct and current. Avoid non official sites that may have old or wrong info. Focus on the county sheriff, city police, and state courts. They hold the true records based on North Dakota law. Each agency has its own ways to ask for records.
The Burleigh County Sheriff's Office is a primary law enforcement agency. Deputies patrol the county. They respond to calls. They make arrests outside city limits like Bismarck. They also manage the county jail or detention center. The Sheriff's Office creates records when they make an arrest. They might have logs or reports available to the public. You can contact them to ask about recent arrests or older records. They are a key source for Burleigh County ND Arrest Records.
Address: 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 (Located in the Burleigh County Courthouse building)
Phone: (701) 222-6651 (This is the main line, ask for records or administration)
Hours: Regular business hours are likely Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT. It is best to call ahead to confirm hours for records requests.
Request Process: Call the office first. Ask about their process for viewing arrest logs or requesting specific arrest reports. You might need to visit in person. Or you might need to submit a written request form. Fees may apply for copies of reports. Be ready to give the person's name and date of birth. The date of the arrest is also helpful if you know it.
The Bismarck Police Department handles law enforcement inside the city limits of Bismarck. They make arrests within the city. They generate their own arrest reports. These reports detail arrests made by city police officers. If an arrest happened in Bismarck, this is the agency to check. They are a vital source for city specific Burleigh County ND Arrest Records. Their records division handles requests for reports. They must follow North Dakota public record laws.
Address: 700 S 9th Street, Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone: 701-223-1212 (This is the non emergency number; ask for the records department)
Hours: Records division hours are typically standard business hours, like 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT, Monday through Friday. Call to verify.
Request Process: You can call the records department. Ask how to get an arrest report. They may direct you to use the City of Bismarck's official public records request form. This form is online. You can find it on the city website: City of Bismarck Public Records Request Form. You need to be specific about the record you seek. Provide names, dates, and locations if possible. Fees might apply for copies or extensive searches, as allowed by state law.
The North Dakota Judicial System offers an online search tool. It lets the public access court case information. This includes criminal, traffic, and civil cases from District Courts. Some Municipal Court cases are also included. While not strictly an "arrest record" search, it shows the court cases that result from arrests. You can often find details about the arrest charges within the court case file information. This portal is a key resource for tracking what happens after an arrest in Burleigh County.
Website: ND Courts Public Access Search
What it Shows: You can search by name, case number, or citation number. It shows case status, charges filed in court, hearing dates, and case outcomes (dispositions). This gives context to an arrest. It shows if charges were formally filed and what the court decided.
How to Use: Visit the website. Choose the search type (Criminal/Traffic/Civil). Enter the person's name or case number. Review the search results.
Limitations: This portal shows court records, not just arrest logs. It will not show arrests that did not lead to court charges. Some information is restricted by law. For example, juvenile cases or sealed records are not shown. It provides court data, which is related to, but different from, the initial police arrest report.
The Clerk of District Court is the official record keeper for the Burleigh County District Court. When an arrest leads to formal charges, a case file is created. The Clerk's office manages these files. These files contain detailed information about the court proceedings. This includes the formal charges, motions, orders, and final judgments. If you need official court documentation related to an arrest, the Clerk's office is the place to go. They provide access to the full case record.
Address: Burleigh County Courthouse, 514 E. Thayer Ave, P.O. Box 1055, Bismarck, ND 58502
Phone: (701) 222-6690 ext. 1
Email: [email address removed]
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT.
Request Process: You can visit the Clerk's office in person. Public access computer terminals are available at the courthouse. You can use these to search state court records. You can also ask staff for help. Or submit a written request by mail to the P.O. Box address. Specify the case number or names involved. Fees usually apply for making copies of documents. The Clerk's office can certify copies if needed for official use. This office provides access to the detailed court proceedings following a Burleigh County ND Arrest Record.
Access to government records in North Dakota is a right. This right is set in the state constitution and state law. The main law is the North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-04. This law covers public records, including many Burleigh County ND Arrest Records. It states that records held by public entities are generally open. You have the right to inspect these records. You can also get copies. Knowing the basics of this law helps you access information.
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-04 is often called the "Sunshine Law". Its goal is transparency in government. Section 44-04-18 is key. It states that all records of public entities are public. They must be open for inspection during reasonable office hours. You can ask to see records. You can ask for copies. An initial request can often be made by phone or in person. You do not always need to write it down first. The agency must provide the records or copies upon request.
Direct Link to Law: You can read the full text here: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 44-04 (PDF)
Requesting Records: You can ask verbally. The agency might ask for clarity in writing. But they cannot force you to say why you want the records. They also cannot demand your identity just to see public records.
Fees: Agencies can charge for copies. The law sets limits, like $0.25 per page for standard paper copies. For extensive searches taking over an hour, they can charge up to $25 per hour after the first free hour. Similar charges can apply for redacting private info. They must tell you about costs beforehand. Payment may be required before they provide the copies.
While most records are open, North Dakota law protects some information. Certain records are confidential or exempt from public disclosure. This means parts of an arrest record or related files might be kept private. It's important to know these limits.
Common types of non public information include:
Juvenile Records: Records concerning minors in the justice system are usually confidential. (NDCC 27-20.2-23)
Sealed or Expunged Records: If a court has ordered a record sealed or expunged, it is not public.
Social Security Numbers: These are generally kept private. (NDCC 44-04-28)
Victim/Witness Information: Contact details or sensitive data about victims or witnesses may be withheld.
Active Investigations: Details that could harm an ongoing police investigation might be temporarily withheld.
Specific Court Records: ND Administrative Rule 41 lists court records deemed confidential. This includes things like child custody details or domestic violence victim data.
If an agency denies access to a record, they should state the legal reason why it is considered confidential or exempt.
Besides the main agencies, other offices play roles related to arrests. They might not hold the primary arrest record. But they are part of the criminal justice process in Burleigh County. Knowing about them can sometimes be helpful.
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is part of the Attorney General's office. It maintains the state's central database of criminal history information. This database includes information on arrests that led to convictions. It might also contain other arrest data reported by local agencies. BCI records are often used for official background checks. Access is more restricted than local arrest logs. Usually, you need the person's permission or fingerprints. A fee is required.
Role: Statewide criminal history repository.
Contact: Criminal Records Section, P.O. Box 1054, Bismarck ND 58502-1054.
Phone: (701) 328-5500
Physical Address: 1720 Burlington Drive, Suite B, Bismarck ND 58504
Request: Requires a specific form, a $15.00 fee per check (check payable to ND Attorney General), and often signed consent or fingerprints from the person whose record is sought. This provides a statewide history, not just Burleigh County data.
The Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases. They review arrest reports sent by law enforcement. They decide whether to file formal charges in court. They represent the state in criminal trials. While they don't typically provide arrest records directly to the public, their office is central to what happens after an arrest. Their files contain information about the prosecution of cases originating from Burleigh County ND Arrest Records. Access to their case files follows court rules and public records laws.
Role: Prosecutes criminal offenses in the county.
State's Attorney: Julie Lawyer
Address: 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 (Located in the Courthouse)
Phone: (701) 222-6690 (Use main courthouse line and ask for State's Attorney's office if direct number isn't listed).
Records: Contact their office regarding access to specific prosecution case files, subject to public records rules.