Clay County Traffic Court Records

Clay County traffic court records are managed by the 7th Judicial District Court at the Clay County Courthouse in Moorhead, Minnesota. If you received a citation on Interstate 94, U.S. Highway 10, or a local road in the county, this page explains how to search records, pay fines, and respond before the 30-day deadline.

Clay County District Court

The Clay County District Court is part of the 7th Judicial District and sits at the courthouse in Moorhead, which borders Fargo, North Dakota across the Red River. Moorhead is one of the larger cities in western Minnesota, and the district court here handles a substantial traffic caseload from Interstate 94, state highways, and county roads throughout Clay County. The court processes all traffic cases filed in the county from start to finish.

The courthouse address is 807 11th St N, Moorhead, MN 56560. The main phone is (218) 227-7040. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free surface lot and on-street parking are available near the building. The Clay County court page at mncourts.gov has current contact details and local court information. For general guidance on your options, the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535 is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Clay County does not have hearing officers. All contested traffic cases go before a judge. If you want to fight a citation, call the court and request a hearing date before the 30-day window from your citation date closes. Missing that deadline can result in a default judgment against you.

The screenshot below shows the Clay County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where you can verify current hours and contact information for the Moorhead courthouse.

The mncourts.gov court page for Clay County has current address, phone, and hours for the Moorhead courthouse.

Searching Traffic Records in Clay County

The free public tool for looking up Clay County traffic court records is Minnesota Courts Records Online -- MCRO. Access it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. No login is needed and there is no charge. Search by name, case number, or citation number. The system covers all 87 Minnesota counties and updates hourly during business hours.

One restriction applies statewide: pre-conviction cases are not available in MCRO. If your citation is recent and has not yet been resolved, it will not show up in an online search. For status on a pending Clay County case, call (218) 227-7040 or visit the courthouse in Moorhead. Once a case is finalized -- paid, dismissed, or decided -- it becomes publicly searchable in MCRO. Results include the charge, hearing dates, and the final outcome.

Certified copies of records cannot be obtained through MCRO. Submit a request at the clerk's office for those. MCRO is a read-only reference system -- you can search and view case data, but you cannot file documents or pay fines through it. The courthouse clerk can help with any formal record requests.

The image below shows the MCRO search portal, which you can use to look up Clay County traffic cases at no cost.

MCRO is updated as cases are resolved -- if a recent case is not yet visible, check back in a day or two.

Paying Traffic Fines in Clay County

Clay County traffic fines are paid through the statewide Minnesota Court Payment Center. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payments go through webpay.courts.state.mn.us with a $2.34 convenience fee. You must wait 7 days after your citation date before the portal will accept payment. This is a standard statewide delay while the ticket is entered into the court database.

Phone payments go to (651) 281-3219 (metro) or (800) 657-3611 (toll-free). The same $2.34 fee applies. For mail, send payment to Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Write your citation number on the check. In-person payments are accepted at the Clay County Courthouse in Moorhead on any business day before 4:30 p.m.

You have 30 days from your citation date to respond -- whether you are paying or contesting. If your citation was for no proof of insurance, fax proof of coverage to 320-231-6507 before making any online payment. Always save your payment confirmation number after paying online or by phone. Missing the 30-day deadline can result in a default judgment and license consequences.

The screenshot below shows the online Court Payment Center portal used for Clay County traffic fine payments.

Online payment is available at any hour, making it the most convenient option for most people with Clay County citations.

Contesting a Citation and Traffic Laws

After receiving a traffic citation in Clay County, your options are to pay the fine, contest it, or address an insurance matter. Paying closes the case and is treated as a guilty plea. To contest, call the court at (218) 227-7040 and request a hearing before a judge. Clay County has no hearing officers -- all contested traffic matters go to a judge directly. The Minnesota traffic help page at mncourts.gov covers all your options in plain language.

Minnesota traffic violation penalties are set by state law. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, petty misdemeanor fines cap at $300. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, with fines up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. Gross misdemeanors reach $3,000 and one year. Speed limits are set by Minnesota Statute 169.14: 30 mph in cities, 55 mph on rural roads, 65 mph on expressways, 70 mph on rural interstates. I-94 through Clay County is a rural interstate. Going 100 mph or faster on any road brings a mandatory 6-month revocation.

Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475 -- officers can stop you for it alone. Fines run $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are also primary under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Driving on a suspended license violates Minnesota Statute 171.24 and adds a criminal charge on top of the license problem. Minnesota tracks conviction counts: four in 12 months means a 30-day suspension, five means 90 days, eight or more in 24 months brings a 1-year revocation. Driving records cost $9 non-certified from the DVS using form PS2502.

The image below is from the Minnesota traffic help page, which walks through every option available after receiving a citation anywhere in the state.

The traffic help page also explains how to reopen a case or deal with a default judgment if you missed the original 30-day deadline.

Cities in Clay County

Moorhead is the county seat and largest city in Clay County, located on the western edge of Minnesota along the Red River. Other communities in the county include Dilworth, Barnesville, Glyndon, and Hawley. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All traffic citations issued anywhere in Clay County are processed through the district court in Moorhead.

Nearby Counties

Clay County is in northwestern Minnesota and borders several other counties. Use the links below if your citation was issued in a different county.