Olmsted County Traffic Court Records
Olmsted County traffic court records are managed through the 3rd Judicial District Court in Rochester, Minnesota. The court handles all traffic citations filed in the county, including cases that can be paid online and those that go to a hearing. This page explains how to search records, pay a fine, and understand your options after getting a traffic citation in Olmsted County.
Olmsted County Overview
Olmsted County District Court
The Olmsted County District Court is part of the 3rd Judicial District, covering southeastern Minnesota. Rochester is the county seat and one of the larger cities in the state, so the courthouse handles a significant volume of traffic cases. Whether your citation was issued in Rochester, Byron, or elsewhere in the county, the Rochester courthouse is where your case is processed.
Olmsted County has several features that make dealing with traffic cases more convenient. Remote hearings are available via Zoom, and the courthouse has dedicated Zoom rooms if you need to attend a video hearing but don't have a suitable setup at home. The court calendar is posted at 7:00 p.m. each evening for the next day's activities. Three monitors in the courthouse also display daily court calendars for people visiting in person. Olmsted County has no hearing officers, so contested citations go before a judge.
One thing to note about parking: there is a 90-minute metered parking lot in front of the courthouse. The Holiday Inn ramp nearby is connected to the courthouse via a skyway, which is a convenient option if you need more time. Plan ahead if your business might take longer than 90 minutes. Court Administrator Hans Holland oversees administrative operations. Hours differ slightly -- the courthouse opens at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays instead of the usual 8:00 a.m.
| Court | Olmsted County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904 |
| Phone | (507) 722-7264 |
| Fax | (507) 285-8996 |
| Hours | Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Wed 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/olmsted |
The Olmsted County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website lists current contact details, hours, and local rules. Note the Wednesday late open before visiting.
The screenshot below shows the Olmsted County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Confirm hours -- especially the Wednesday 9 a.m. open -- before visiting the Rochester courthouse.
Searching Traffic Records in Olmsted County
Minnesota Courts Records Online, or MCRO, is the free statewide tool for public court record searches. Access it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Search by name, case number, or citation number. The system covers all Minnesota counties including Olmsted. No login is needed.
Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO. If your citation is still open, it will not appear in an online search. For pending case status, call the Olmsted County courthouse at (507) 722-7264. After a case is decided, it enters the public record and becomes searchable through MCRO. The system updates hourly during business hours.
If you need certified copies, request them through the court clerk. Public access computers at the courthouse allow on-site searches. MCRO is read-only -- it cannot be used to file documents or pay fines.
The image below shows the MCRO search portal used to look up Olmsted County traffic records.
MCRO is free to use. No account or registration is required.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Olmsted County courthouse at (507) 722-7264 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in Olmsted County
Olmsted County traffic fines can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person. The online payment portal is webpay.courts.state.mn.us. There is a $2.34 convenience fee for online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after the citation date before the system will accept an online payment -- the ticket needs time to be entered into the system first.
Phone payments go to 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. Include your citation number on the check. In-person payments are accepted at the Rochester courthouse during regular hours -- remember the Wednesday 9:00 a.m. start time.
You have 30 days from the citation date to respond. Pay the fine or contact the court to contest. Missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment. If your citation was for no insurance, do not pay online. Submit proof of coverage to the court first, then follow up with staff about next steps.
The screenshot below shows the Court Payment Center portal used for paying Olmsted County traffic fines online.
Keep your confirmation number after paying online or by phone.
Contesting a Citation in Olmsted County
To fight a traffic ticket in Olmsted County, call the court at (507) 722-7264 and request a court date. Olmsted County has no hearing officers, so contesting a citation means a hearing before a judge. Remote hearings via Zoom are available for some cases -- ask when you call. Act before the 30-day deadline.
Most traffic violations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300, as set by Minnesota Statute 169.89. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, which carries up to $1,000 in fines and up to 90 days in jail. The category your citation falls in affects your risk and what makes sense to do.
For general guidance, call the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535, available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Traffic-specific help is at mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines options for people with citations statewide.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full overview of citation options in Minnesota.
Note: Olmsted County has no hearing officers -- call (507) 722-7264 to request a court date if you want to contest your citation. Remote Zoom hearings may be available.
Traffic Laws and Penalties in Minnesota
Minnesota groups traffic violations by 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 and carries a fine of about $135-$140. Seat belt violations are also primary offenses under Minnesota Statute 169.686.
Minnesota counts convictions rather than using 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 through the DVS records request page.
Cities in Olmsted County
Rochester is the county seat of Olmsted County and the largest city in southeastern Minnesota. It is also home to the district courthouse. For Rochester-specific traffic court information, see the Rochester traffic court records page. Other communities in Olmsted County include Byron, Stewartville, and Eyota, none of which meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page.
Nearby Counties
Olmsted County borders several other Minnesota counties. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.