Houston County Traffic Court Records
Houston County traffic court records are held at the 3rd Judicial District Court in Caledonia, Minnesota. This page covers how to search traffic case records, pay a fine, and respond to a citation issued in Houston County.
Houston County Overview
Houston County District Court
The Houston County District Court in Caledonia serves as the local arm of Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District. Court Administrator Darlene Larson oversees daily operations. The court handles all traffic matters originating in Houston County, including speeding citations, driving after suspension, careless driving charges, texting violations, and seat belt infractions issued by state troopers, county deputies, and local officers.
| Court | Houston County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 306 S. Marshall Street, Caledonia, MN 55921 |
| Phone | (507) 724-7002 |
| Fax | (507) 725-5550 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/houston |
Parking is available in a lot on the north side of the courthouse and on nearby streets. Call ahead to confirm current business hours, as they may vary.
Searching Traffic Records Online
Minnesota Court Records Online is the state's free public case search system. You can reach it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Houston County traffic cases are indexed there once they are processed. Search by party name or case number at no charge.
Results show the charge type, current status, scheduled hearing dates, and case outcomes. Under Minnesota data privacy rules, pre-conviction records for pending cases are not displayed in MCRO. Once a verdict or dismissal is entered, the case appears in the public record.
Note: Certified copies of records ordered online cost $2.34 per page and can take up to 30 days to arrive by mail. For urgent needs, call the clerk at (507) 724-7002.
Paying Traffic Fines
You can pay a Houston County traffic fine online at webpay.courts.state.mn.us. The portal is open any time and accepts credit and debit cards. You will need your case or citation number. A confirmation is generated right away, and the payment posts to your case within one business day.
Online is the easiest option, but other methods work too. Call (651) 281-3219 or toll-free (800) 657-3611 to pay by phone. Mail a check or money order to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Write your case number on the check. In-person payments are accepted at the Caledonia courthouse during regular hours.
If you need a payment plan, contact the court clerk to discuss options. Houston County courts can set up installment arrangements in appropriate cases.
Traffic Laws That Apply in Houston County
Minnesota's traffic statutes govern all violations in Houston County. Speed limits are set in Minn. Stat. 169.14. Careless and reckless driving are defined in Minn. Stat. 169.13. Texting while driving is a violation under Minn. Stat. 169.475, with a fine near $135. Seat belt violations are addressed in Minn. Stat. 169.686. Penalty levels are in Minn. Stat. 169.89. Driving after suspension can cost close to $278 under Minn. Stat. 171.24.
The state's moving violation point system applies here too. Four violations in 12 months: 30-day suspension. Five in 12 months: 90 days. Eight or more in any 24-month window: one year. Houston County sits along US-61 and several state routes near the Wisconsin border, and traffic enforcement on these corridors is regular.
The Minnesota courts' traffic help page at mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues walks you through the full range of options after you receive a citation.
How to Contest a Houston County Traffic Ticket
You have 30 days to respond to a citation. To contest it, check "not guilty" on the citation return and mail it to the court, or call (507) 724-7002 to request a hearing date. Do not ignore the deadline. Missing it leads to a default judgment and may cause DVS to suspend your license.
At your hearing, you can present evidence and question the officer. A judge decides. Win, and the case is dismissed. Lose, and the fine stands. Ask the clerk whether a driver improvement course is an option for your citation type. It can reduce the fine on some petty misdemeanor violations and may prevent points from appearing on your driving record.
Driving Record and DVS
Traffic convictions from Houston County are reported to Minnesota DVS and appear on your official driving record. Court records and DVS records are separate systems that update on different schedules. To view your driving record, go to dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs. Dismissed charges do not appear on your driving record, though the court case may still show as filed and dismissed in MCRO.
Nearby Counties
Houston County is in the far southeast corner of Minnesota, bordering Wisconsin. These neighboring counties also have district courts.