Lincoln County Traffic Records
Lincoln County traffic court records are handled through the 5th Judicial District Court in Ivanhoe, Minnesota. This page covers how to search for traffic citations, check your case status, pay fines, and contest a ticket in Lincoln County. All traffic cases from citations issued across the county, including those on state highways and rural roads, are processed by the district court in Ivanhoe.
Lincoln County Overview
Lincoln County District Court
The Lincoln County District Court sits within the 5th Judicial District, which covers counties in southwestern Minnesota. The court is based at the courthouse in Ivanhoe. Court Administrator Aimee Primus oversees administrative operations. Staff handle all traffic filings, payment processing, and hearing scheduling for the county. If you have questions about your citation or case, calling the court is the most direct way to get current information.
Court hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Free surface lot parking and on-street parking are available near the courthouse. One thing to note: payments are not accepted after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of a payment period. Plan accordingly if you intend to pay in person near a deadline. Remote hearings are available for some case types, and eCheck-in is offered for criminal, juvenile, and CHIPS matters, though not typically for standard traffic citations.
There are no hearing officers in Lincoln County. If you want to dispute a citation, you will need to appear before a judge. Contact the court before your 30-day deadline to schedule that hearing.
| Court | Lincoln County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 319 N Rebecca Street, Ivanhoe, MN 56142 |
| Phone | (507) 680-7005 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Parking | Free surface lot and on-street |
| Court Administrator | Aimee Primus |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/lincoln |
The Lincoln County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website has current contact details and local court information. Check there before making any in-person visit to Ivanhoe.
The screenshot below shows the Lincoln County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Use that page to confirm the latest hours and contact details before visiting the Ivanhoe courthouse.
Searching Traffic Records in Lincoln County
Minnesota Courts Records Online (MCRO) is the free statewide system for searching court case data, including Lincoln County traffic records. You can search by name, case number, or citation number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. The database covers all post-conviction cases across Minnesota and updates hourly during business hours. No account or login is required for basic searches.
Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO. If your ticket is recent and still pending, it will not show up in the online database. Call the Lincoln County courthouse at (507) 680-7005 to get current status on an open case. Resolved cases appear in the public system shortly after disposition.
In-person searches can be done at the courthouse on public access computers. Certified copies of records require a request to the clerk. MCRO is read-only and does not accept document filings or payments.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal, where you can look up Lincoln County traffic case records at no cost.
MCRO searches are free and do not require an account to get started.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- contact the Lincoln County courthouse at (507) 680-7005 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in Lincoln County
Payable traffic citations in Lincoln County can be settled online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payments go through the Court Payment Center at webpay.courts.state.mn.us. A $2.34 convenience fee applies for online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after your citation date before paying online, since it takes time for tickets to be entered into the system.
Phone payments can be made by calling (651) 281-3219 (metro) or (800) 657-3611 (toll-free). To pay by mail, send a check or money order payable to the court and mail it to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Include your citation number on the check. For in-person payment, visit the Lincoln County courthouse in Ivanhoe during business hours. Remember: payments are not accepted after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of the payment period.
You have 30 days from your citation date to respond. Pay or tell the court you want to contest it. Letting the deadline pass can result in a default judgment. If your citation was for no proof of insurance, do not pay online. Fax proof of coverage to the court first (320-231-6507), then contact staff about your next step.
The screenshot below shows the Court Payment Center portal used for paying Lincoln County traffic fines.
Keep your payment confirmation number after completing an online or phone payment.
Your Options After Getting a Citation in Lincoln County
Three paths are open after a traffic citation in Lincoln County. You can pay the fine (a guilty plea), contest the citation in court, or, if ticketed for no insurance, submit proof and work with the court on resolution. Paying works for most minor violations. It is fast and final. If you think the ticket was wrong, you have the right to contest it.
Lincoln County has no hearing officers. Contested cases go before a judge. Call the court and request a date before the 30-day window closes. Most violations are petty misdemeanors under Minnesota Statute 169.89, with fines up to $300. Reckless driving under Minnesota Statute 169.13 is a misdemeanor with penalties up to $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.
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 answer questions about the process but do not give legal advice.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines your options after receiving a citation in Minnesota.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a complete overview of what to do after getting a citation.
Note: Lincoln County has no hearing officers -- if you want to contest a citation, call (507) 680-7005 and request a court date before the 30-day deadline.
Traffic Violations and Penalties
Minnesota traffic law divides violations by severity. The most common are petty misdemeanors with fines capped at $300. Minnesota Statute 169.14 sets urban speed limits at 30 mph, most road limits at 55 mph, expressways at 65 mph, and rural interstates at 70 mph. Any speed at or above 100 mph 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. Fines run $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are also a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Reckless driving under Minnesota Statute 169.13 carries up to $1,000 in fines and up to 90 days in jail.
Minnesota does not use a points system. Convictions are tracked directly. Four offenses within 12 months leads to a 30-day suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months results in a 1-year revocation. To request your driving record, use form PS2502 through the DVS records request page. A non-certified copy costs $9.
Cities in Lincoln County
Ivanhoe is the county seat and the location of the district court. Other communities in Lincoln County include Tyler, Lake Benton, and Hendricks. None of these cities reach the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Traffic citations issued anywhere in Lincoln County are processed through the Ivanhoe courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Lincoln County borders several other Minnesota counties. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to reach the correct court information.