Murray County Traffic Court Records
Murray County traffic court records are processed through the 5th Judicial District Court in Slayton, Minnesota. The court handles all traffic citations filed in the county, including cases you can pay outright and those you want to contest. This page explains how to search records, pay a fine, and understand your options after receiving a traffic citation in Murray County.
Murray County Overview
Murray County District Court
The Murray County District Court is part of the 5th Judicial District, which covers a broad area of southwestern Minnesota. All traffic cases filed in Murray County go through this court. Whether you got a ticket on a state highway or a local road, the Slayton courthouse is where your case is managed.
Murray County offers two convenient services worth knowing about. eCheck-in lets you check in for hearings remotely instead of arriving early and waiting in line. Remote hearings are also available, so you may not need to drive to Slayton at all for some court appearances. Call the court at (507) 873-7001 to find out if your hearing qualifies for a remote option.
There is one important payment rule specific to Murray County: payments are not accepted after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of the month. If you plan to pay in person and the end of the month is close, arrive well before 2:30 p.m. Murray County has no hearing officers. Contesting a citation means going before a judge. Court Administrator Sheila Pierson oversees administrative operations. Free surface lot and on-street parking are available at the Slayton courthouse.
| Court | Murray County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2500 28th Street, Slayton, MN 56172 |
| Phone | (507) 873-7001 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (payments not accepted after 2:30 p.m. on last working day of month) |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/murray |
The Murray County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website lists current contact details, hours, and local court information. Check it before visiting in person.
The screenshot below shows the Murray County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Confirm current hours and contact information on the court page before visiting the Slayton courthouse.
Searching Traffic Records in Murray County
MCRO -- Minnesota Courts Records Online -- is the free statewide tool for looking up court case information. Search by name, case number, or citation number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. It covers all Minnesota counties including Murray. No account or login is needed.
Pre-conviction cases are not in MCRO. If your citation is still open and unresolved, it will not appear in the online search. For pending case status, call the Murray County courthouse at (507) 873-7001 or visit in person during business hours. Once a case is resolved, it is part of the public record and searchable through MCRO. Data updates hourly during business hours.
If you need certified copies of traffic records, request them through the court clerk. Public access computers at the courthouse let you do on-site searches. MCRO is read-only and cannot be used to file documents or pay fines.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal used for looking up Murray County traffic case records.
MCRO searches are free. No login or registration is required.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Murray County courthouse at (507) 873-7001 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in Murray County
Murray County traffic fines can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payments go through webpay.courts.state.mn.us. There is a $2.34 convenience fee for online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days from your citation date before the online system will accept a payment -- the ticket needs time to be entered into the court database.
By phone, call the Court Payment Center at (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. Put your citation number on the check. In-person payments at the Slayton courthouse are accepted during regular hours -- just keep in mind the 2:30 p.m. cutoff on the last working day of the month.
You have 30 days from the citation date to respond. Pay or contact the court within that window. Missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment and further consequences. If your citation was for no insurance, do not pay online. Submit proof of coverage to the court first, then follow up with staff.
The screenshot below shows the Court Payment Center portal used for paying Murray County traffic fines.
Keep your payment confirmation after paying online or by phone.
Contesting a Citation in Murray County
To contest a traffic citation in Murray County, call the court at (507) 873-7001 and request a court date. Murray County has no hearing officers, so challenging a ticket means a hearing before a judge. Remote hearings are available for some cases -- ask when you call. Act within the 30-day deadline or risk a default judgment.
Most traffic violations are petty misdemeanors. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, petty misdemeanor fines go up to $300. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, which carries fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. More serious charges mean a higher bar to deal with.
If you want to talk through your options first, call the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535. It is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can also visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for general guidance on Minnesota traffic citations.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues to learn more about your options after getting a ticket in Murray County.
Note: Murray County has no hearing officers -- call (507) 873-7001 to set a court date if you want to contest a citation. Remote hearings may be available.
Traffic Laws and Penalties in Minnesota
Minnesota traffic violations fall into categories based on severity. Most common citations are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300. Minnesota Statute 169.14 sets speed limits at 30 mph in urban areas, 55 mph on most roads, 65 mph on expressways, and 70 mph on rural interstates. Going 100 mph or faster triggers an automatic 6-month license revocation.
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475. Seat belt violations are also primary offenses under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Both carry fines in the $135-$140 range for a first offense.
Minnesota tracks convictions by count, not points. Four convictions in 12 months brings a 30-day suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months results in a 1-year suspension. To get your driving record, the Department of Vehicle Services charges $9 for a non-certified copy. Use form PS2502 and submit it through the DVS records request page.
Cities in Murray County
Slayton is Murray County's largest city and county seat, where the district courthouse is located. Other communities in the county include Currie, Fulda, and Lake Wilson. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All traffic citations issued in Murray County are processed through the district court in Slayton.
Nearby Counties
Murray County borders several other Minnesota counties. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.