St. Paul Traffic Court Records

St. Paul traffic court records are filed and managed through the Ramsey County District Court, which operates as the 2nd Judicial District in Minnesota. This page covers how to search for traffic citations, check case status, pay fines, and respond to a ticket issued in St. Paul. The Ramsey County Courthouse handles all traffic matters for the city, and court staff can point you to the right process for your situation.

Ramsey County District Court

Traffic cases from St. Paul are handled at the Ramsey County District Court, which sits in the 2nd Judicial District. The courthouse is in downtown St. Paul. It is the main location for all traffic citations issued within the city. Court Administrator Heather Kendall oversees administrative operations for the court.

If you have urgent questions about a pending case or need to speak with someone directly, the court can be reached at (651) 266-8266. That number connects you to the court administrator's office. For hearing-related questions, ask about whether hearing officers are available for your type of case -- Ramsey County does have hearing officers as an option for certain traffic matters.

One thing worth knowing: the court has issued warnings about jury scams. Callers have impersonated court staff and demanded fines over the phone, threatening arrest for missing jury duty. The real court never asks for fines, gift cards, or payment by phone. If you get a call like that, hang up. Also, sending an email to the court does not excuse you from a scheduled hearing. If you have a court date, you need to appear or call in advance to reschedule.

The court calendar is posted online through the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. You can see upcoming hearings and check your scheduled dates. If your case appears on the calendar, it means a hearing is set. Confidential cases are not listed. If you are unsure whether your case is listed, call the court directly rather than assuming it is not there.

The image below shows the Ramsey County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where you can find current hours, contact details, and court calendar access.

Check this page before visiting to confirm current hours and the right contact for your case type.

Searching Traffic Records in St. Paul

The Minnesota Courts Records Online system, called 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 Ramsey County and all other counties in Minnesota. No account is needed and there is no cost to search.

One key limitation applies. Pre-conviction cases -- those not yet resolved -- are not available through MCRO. If you got a citation recently and the case is still open, you will not find it in the online system. For pending case information, call Ramsey County at (651) 266-8266 or visit the courthouse. Post-conviction records are available online, and MCRO updates data hourly during business hours.

Public access computers at the courthouse allow on-site record searches. Certified copies must be requested from the court clerk, and there is a per-page fee for copies. MCRO is read-only -- you cannot file documents or pay fines through it.

The image below shows the MCRO public access portal used to search St. Paul traffic case records at no cost.

MCRO is free and does not require a login or account to use.

Paying Traffic Fines in St. Paul

If your St. Paul citation is payable, you have four ways to handle it: 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. You must wait at least 7 days after your citation date before the payment system will accept your ticket, because it takes time for the citation to be entered into the court system.

By phone, call the Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 (metro) or (800) 657-3611 (toll-free). These lines are available for traffic citation payments statewide. To pay by mail, send a check or money order to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Include your citation number on the check so the payment gets applied correctly.

You have 30 days from the date of your citation to respond. Paying the fine closes the case as a guilty plea. If you want to contest, you need to notify the court before that 30-day deadline. Missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment and added consequences, so do not wait too long to decide what you want to do.

The screenshot below shows the online Court Payment Center portal used for paying St. Paul traffic fines.

Keep your confirmation number after paying online or by phone as proof of payment.

Your Options After Getting a Citation in St. Paul

After getting a traffic ticket in St. Paul, you have three main choices. Pay the fine -- which is a guilty plea -- and close the case. Contest the citation and ask for a hearing. Or, if your ticket was for no insurance, submit proof of coverage first and follow up with the court about next steps.

Ramsey County has hearing officers available for some traffic matters. A hearing officer can review your case before it goes to a judge. Hearing officers can reduce fines, set up payment plans, or in some situations offer a continuance for dismissal if you meet certain requirements. To find out if your case qualifies, call the court at (651) 266-8266. This is a useful option if you want to resolve your case without a full court appearance.

Most traffic violations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, a petty misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $300. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time of up to 90 days.

The statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Court staff there can explain your options without providing legal advice. For a full overview of how to respond to a citation in Minnesota, see mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues.

Traffic Violations and Penalties

Traffic violations in Minnesota range from simple payable offenses to criminal charges. Most common citations -- speeding, improper lane changes, running a red light -- are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300. Speed limits are set under Minnesota Statute 169.14: 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 brings an automatic 6-month license revocation.

Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475. Officers can stop you for it without another reason. The fine is typically $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are also a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Reckless driving under Minnesota Statute 169.13 is a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.

Minnesota tracks conviction counts rather than using a points system. Four convictions within 12 months means a 30-day license suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months brings a 1-year suspension. To get 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 traffic cases are handled through its respective county court.