McLeod County Traffic Court Records
McLeod County traffic court records are processed through the 1st Judicial District Court in Glencoe, Minnesota. This page explains how to search for traffic citations, check case status, pay fines, and contest a ticket in McLeod County. Citations issued on Highway 212, other state roads, and county routes throughout McLeod County are all handled through the district court in Glencoe.
McLeod County Overview
McLeod County District Court
The McLeod County District Court is part of the 1st Judicial District, which covers counties in south-central Minnesota including several counties near the Twin Cities metro. The court is located at 830 11th Avenue E in Glencoe. Staff process all traffic citations for the county and can answer questions about payment, case status, and how to set a hearing date. If you need current information about your case, calling the court is the most reliable approach.
Court hours are not specified online -- call the courthouse at (320) 864-5551 to confirm current hours before visiting. Ample parking is available on nearby streets and in the lot across from the courthouse. McLeod County sits just west of the Twin Cities metro area. Highway 212 and other key routes see regular traffic enforcement, and citations from those corridors make up a significant share of the court's traffic caseload.
There are no hearing officers in McLeod County. If you want to contest a citation, you will go before a judge. Contact the court before the 30-day deadline to request a hearing date. Do not wait until the deadline is right on top of you to make that call.
| Court | McLeod County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 830 11th Avenue E, Glencoe, MN 55336 |
| Phone | (320) 864-5551 |
| Hours | Call to confirm current hours |
| Parking | Street parking and lot across from courthouse |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/mcleod |
The McLeod County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website has current contact details and calendar access. Check there first and call to confirm before making the drive to Glencoe.
The screenshot below shows the McLeod County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Use that page to verify current contact information before visiting the Glencoe courthouse.
Searching Traffic Records in McLeod County
Minnesota Courts Records Online (MCRO) is the free statewide system for searching court case records, including McLeod County traffic cases. Search by name, case number, or citation number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. The database covers post-conviction records from all Minnesota counties and refreshes hourly during business hours. No account or login is required to search.
Pre-conviction cases are not in MCRO. If your citation is recent and the case has not been decided, it will not show up online. Call the McLeod County courthouse at (320) 864-5551 to get current status on any pending case. Resolved cases appear in the public system after the case closes.
In-person record searches can be done at the Glencoe courthouse on public access computers. Certified copies of records require a request through the clerk. MCRO is read-only and does not allow filings or payments.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal, where you can search McLeod County traffic case records for free.
MCRO searches are free and do not require an account to run.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- contact the McLeod County courthouse at (320) 864-5551 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in McLeod County
Payable McLeod County traffic citations can be resolved 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. Allow at least 7 days after your citation date before paying online, since new tickets need time to be entered into the court system.
Phone payments are accepted by calling (651) 281-3219 (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. Include your citation number on the check. In-person payments can be made at the McLeod County courthouse in Glencoe. Call ahead to confirm current hours before visiting.
You have 30 days from the citation date to respond. Pay the fine or let the court know you want to contest the ticket before that deadline. Missing it can result in a default judgment. If your ticket was for no proof of insurance, do not pay online. Fax proof of coverage to the court first (320-231-6507), then contact court staff about the next step.
The screenshot below shows the Court Payment Center portal used for paying McLeod County traffic fines.
Always keep your payment confirmation number after completing an online or phone payment.
Your Options After Getting a Citation in McLeod County
After a traffic stop in McLeod County, three choices are in front of you. Pay the fine, which serves as a guilty plea and closes the case. Contest the citation and ask for a court date. Or, if cited for no insurance, submit proof of coverage and follow up with the court. For minor violations you do not plan to fight, paying is the simplest and quickest option available.
McLeod County has no hearing officers. Contested citations go before a judge. Call the court before your 30-day deadline to request a hearing. 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 fines up to $1,000 and possible 90 days in jail.
If you want to understand your options before acting, call the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Court staff there can walk through the process without giving legal advice.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines what you can do after receiving a citation in Minnesota.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full look at your options after a traffic citation.
Note: McLeod County has no hearing officers -- to contest a citation, call (320) 864-5551 and request a court date before the 30-day deadline.
Traffic Violations and Penalties
Minnesota traffic violations are classified by severity. Common offenses -- speeding, improper turns, running stop signs -- are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300. Minnesota Statute 169.14 sets speed limits at 30 mph in urban districts, 55 mph on most roads, 65 mph on expressways, and 70 mph on rural interstates. Driving at 100 mph or faster triggers an automatic 6-month license revocation regardless of any other penalty.
Texting while driving is a primary traffic offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475, meaning officers can stop you for it alone. Fines run about $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, with fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
Minnesota does not use a points system to track driver infractions. It counts convictions. Four within 12 months triggers a 30-day license suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months leads to a 1-year revocation. You can request your driving record for $9 (non-certified copy) using form PS2502 through the DVS records request page.
Cities in McLeod County
Glencoe is the county seat and the location of the district court. Other communities in McLeod County include Hutchinson, Winsted, Lester Prairie, and Brownton. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Traffic citations from anywhere in the county are handled through the McLeod County District Court in Glencoe.
Nearby Counties
McLeod County borders several other Minnesota counties. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court information.