Bloomington Traffic Court Records
Bloomington traffic court records are handled through the Hennepin County District Court, part of the 4th Judicial District. This page covers how to search for citations, check case status, pay fines, and respond to a ticket issued in Bloomington. Because Bloomington is in Hennepin County, the same court system that handles Minneapolis traffic cases also handles Bloomington's.
Bloomington Overview
Hennepin County District Court
Traffic cases from Bloomington are filed at the Hennepin County District Court in the 4th Judicial District. The main courthouse is at 300 South Sixth Street in downtown Minneapolis. Bloomington residents generally appear at the downtown location for traffic matters. That said, the Ridgedale Service Center at 12601 Ridgedale Drive in Minnetonka is geographically closer to Bloomington and may handle some cases from the southern part of the county -- check with the court to confirm which location applies to your case.
Hennepin County has hearing officers available for traffic matters. A hearing officer can review your citation before it goes to a judge. This is less formal than a full court appearance and can result in a reduced fine, a payment plan, or a continuance for dismissal if you meet certain conditions. Not every county in Minnesota offers this option, so it is worth asking about when you contact the court.
A Violations Bureau is also available in Hennepin County for payable traffic offenses. Through the Violations Bureau you may be able to resolve the case without appearing before a judge or even a hearing officer. Check the Violations Bureau page to find out if your citation qualifies. The Warrant Helpline at (612) 540-6485 is available if you have a warrant related to an old traffic matter.
| Court | Hennepin County District Court (4th Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 |
| Phone | 612-348-6000 |
| Ridgedale Service Center | 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN (may be convenient for Bloomington area) |
| Violations Bureau | mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin |
| Warrant Helpline | (612) 540-6485 |
| County Page | Hennepin County Traffic Court Records |
The image below shows the Hennepin County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where you can find current hours, contact details, and Violations Bureau access.
Check the court page before your visit to confirm current hours and which service center handles your specific case.
Searching Traffic Records in Bloomington
The Minnesota Courts Records Online system, known as MCRO, is the free public tool for looking up court case information. You can search by name, case number, or citation number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. The system covers Hennepin County and all other Minnesota counties. No account or login is needed and there is no cost to search.
Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO. If your citation is recent and still pending, you will not find it online. Call Hennepin County at 612-348-6000 or visit the courthouse for pending case status. Post-conviction records are available online, with MCRO updating hourly during business hours.
Certified copies of records must be requested from the court clerk. There is a per-page fee. Public access computers at the courthouse also allow in-person record searches. MCRO is a read-only system -- you cannot file documents or make payments through it.
The image below shows the MCRO search portal for looking up Bloomington traffic case records at no cost.
MCRO is free and no login is required.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call Hennepin County District Court at 612-348-6000 for pending case details.
Paying Traffic Fines in Bloomington
For payable Bloomington traffic citations, you can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payments go through webpay.courts.state.mn.us. There is a $2.34 convenience fee for online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after your citation date before trying to pay online, because the ticket needs time to be entered into the court system.
The Violations Bureau is another option for payable offenses in Hennepin County. It may let you resolve your case without a court appearance. Check the Violations Bureau page to see if your citation qualifies.
By phone, call the Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 (metro) or (800) 657-3611 (toll-free). To pay by mail, send a check or money order to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Write your citation number on the check. You have 30 days from the citation date to respond -- pay or notify the court that you want to contest. Missing that deadline can lead to a default judgment.
The screenshot below shows the online Court Payment Center portal for Bloomington traffic fines.
Save your confirmation number after any online or phone payment.
Your Options After Getting a Citation in Bloomington
After a traffic ticket in Bloomington, you can pay the fine, contest it, or use the hearing officer option that Hennepin County provides. Paying closes the case as a guilty plea. Contesting means requesting a court date. Working with a hearing officer is a middle path that can lead to a reduced fine or other resolution without a full hearing before a judge.
To ask about hearing officer availability, call the Hennepin County courthouse at 612-348-6000. If you want to contest in front of a judge, you also need to contact the court before the 30-day deadline to schedule a date. If you have an old warrant tied to a Bloomington traffic case, use the Warrant Helpline at (612) 540-6485.
Most traffic violations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300 under Minnesota Statute 169.89. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, with fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. The statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535 is available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for general questions about your options.
See mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full overview of citation options in Minnesota.
Traffic Violations and Penalties
Most traffic citations -- speeding, improper turns, failure to stop -- are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300. Speed limits under Minnesota Statute 169.14 are 30 mph in urban areas, 55 mph on most roads, 65 mph on expressways, and 70 mph on rural interstates. Driving 100 mph or faster triggers an automatic 6-month license revocation.
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475. Officers can pull you over for it alone without any other violation. The fine is typically around $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Reckless driving under Minnesota Statute 169.13 is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail.
Minnesota counts convictions rather than using a points system. Four in 12 months means a 30-day license suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months means a 1-year suspension. For a copy of your driving record, the Department of Vehicle Services charges $9 for a non-certified copy. Order through the DVS records request page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also have traffic court record pages. Each city's cases go through its respective county court.