Search Faribault County Traffic Records
Faribault County traffic court records are filed at the 5th Judicial District Court in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Use this page to find out how to search records, pay a fine, or respond to a citation issued anywhere in Faribault County.
Faribault County Overview
Faribault County District Court
The Faribault County District Court handles all traffic matters for the county as part of Minnesota's 5th Judicial District. The court is located in Blue Earth, the county seat. Note that Blue Earth is a city in Faribault County -- it is not the same as Blue Earth County, which is a separate county. Cases filed in Faribault County go through this court in Blue Earth city, not Blue Earth County.
The 5th Judicial District covers a large area of south-central and southwestern Minnesota. Faribault County sits near the Iowa border in the southern part of the state. Interstate 90 passes through the county and is a common source of traffic stops. Citations on I-90, state highways, and county roads are all handled through the Blue Earth courthouse.
Faribault County does not use hearing officers. If you want to contest a traffic citation, you will appear before a district court judge. You must make this request within 30 days of receiving your citation. Failing to respond in time can result in a default judgment being entered against you.
| Court | Faribault County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 N Main St, Blue Earth, MN 56013 |
| Phone | (507) 526-6273 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/faribault |
Free surface lot and on-street parking are available near the courthouse. The Faribault County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website lists current contact details and court information.
The screenshot below shows the Faribault County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Confirm current hours and contact details before visiting the courthouse in Blue Earth.
Searching Traffic Records in Faribault County
Minnesota Courts Records Online -- MCRO -- is the free statewide tool for looking up court case information. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us and search by name, case number, or citation number. The system covers Faribault County and all other Minnesota counties. No account is needed.
One key limitation applies. Pre-conviction cases -- meaning those not yet resolved -- are not available through MCRO. If your citation is still pending, you will not find it online. Call the Faribault County courthouse at (507) 526-6273 for information on open cases. Post-conviction records are in MCRO, and the system updates hourly during business hours.
If you need certified copies of records, you cannot get them through MCRO. Contact the clerk's office directly. Certified copies can be prepared and mailed to you, or held for pickup at the Blue Earth courthouse.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal, where you can look up Faribault County traffic case records at no cost.
MCRO searches are free and available at any hour from any device.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- contact the Faribault County courthouse at (507) 526-6273 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in Faribault County
Faribault County traffic fines can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the courthouse in Blue Earth. Online payments go through webpay.courts.state.mn.us. A $2.34 convenience fee applies to online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after your citation date before the system will accept an online payment.
By phone, call the Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 in the 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. No convenience fee applies to mail payments.
You have 30 days from the date on your citation to respond -- by paying or telling the court you want to contest it. Missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment and additional license consequences. If your citation was for no insurance, fax proof of coverage to 320-231-6507 before paying and then follow up with the court.
The screenshot below shows the online payment portal used for Faribault County traffic fines.
Keep your payment confirmation number after paying online or by phone.
Contesting a Citation in Faribault County
When you receive a traffic ticket in Faribault County, you have three main options: pay the fine, contest the citation, or -- if the ticket was for no insurance -- submit proof of coverage. Paying is the simplest route for minor violations. It closes the case but counts as a guilty plea and a conviction on your record. If you want to fight the ticket, contact the Faribault County District Court at (507) 526-6273 to request a court date.
Faribault County does not have hearing officers. Contesting a citation means going before a district court judge. Most traffic violations 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. Speed limits are set under Minnesota Statute 169.14.
For free help understanding your options, call the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines options for people who receive citations in Minnesota.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full overview of your rights and options after a citation.
Note: Faribault County has no hearing officers -- if you want to contest a citation, call the court at (507) 526-6273 to request a court date before the 30-day deadline.
Traffic Violations and Your Driving Record
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475, meaning officers can stop you for it without any other violation. First-offense fines run around $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are also a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Driving 100 mph or faster triggers an automatic 6-month license revocation regardless of your prior record.
Minnesota does not use a points system. Instead, it tracks conviction counts within rolling time windows. Four offenses within 12 months leads to a 30-day license suspension. Five within 12 months triggers a 90-day suspension. Eight or more within 24 months results in a 1-year suspension. These counts apply statewide, so Faribault County convictions count toward the same totals as any other Minnesota conviction.
To get a copy of your driving record, the Department of Vehicle Services charges $9 for a non-certified copy. Submit form PS2502 through the DVS records request page.
Cities in Faribault County
No cities in Faribault County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Traffic citations from anywhere in the county, including the city of Blue Earth, Wells, and Elmore, are all handled through the Faribault County District Court in Blue Earth.
Nearby Counties
Faribault County borders several counties in southern Minnesota. Use these links for traffic court information in neighboring counties.