Pine County Traffic Court Records
Pine County traffic court records are maintained through the 10th Judicial District Court in Pine City, Minnesota. This page helps you find traffic citations, check case status, pay fines online, and learn what to do after receiving a ticket in Pine County. All traffic matters filed in this county go through the district court, whether you plan to pay the fine or contest the citation before a judge.
Pine County Overview
Pine County District Court
The Pine County District Court is part of the 10th Judicial District, which covers a large region in east-central Minnesota. The court handles traffic cases from across Pine County, including citations issued on state highways, county roads, and local streets throughout the area. Court Administrator Amy Willert oversees day-to-day administrative operations.
The court calendar is posted each business day at 7:00 a.m. and updated on an hourly basis. If your case shows up on the calendar, a hearing has been scheduled. Cases that are marked confidential will not appear online. If you are not sure whether your matter is confidential, call the court directly. Pine County does not have hearing officers, which means anyone who wants to fight a citation must request a formal court date with a judge.
The eCheck-in system is available at Pine County as part of a pilot program. If your hearing qualifies, you may be able to check in from your phone instead of waiting in line at the courthouse. Hearing eReminders are also available -- you can sign up to get a text or email before your scheduled court date so you do not miss it.
The courthouse sits in Pine City. Free surface lot parking and on-street parking are both available near the building. Plan to arrive before 4:30 p.m. on weekdays if you need to speak with court staff in person.
| Court | Pine County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 635 Northridge Drive NW Suite 320, Pine City, MN 55063 |
| Phone | (320) 591-1500 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/pine |
The Pine County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website has current contact details, local rules, and access to the court calendar. Check there for any schedule changes before making an in-person trip to Pine City.
The screenshot below shows the Pine County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where current court details and calendar access are posted.
Verify hours and contact details on the court page before visiting the Pine City courthouse in person.
Searching Traffic Records in Pine County
Minnesota Courts Records Online, called MCRO, is the state's free public search tool for court case data. You can look up records by name, case number, or citation number. The system covers all Minnesota counties, including Pine. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to start a search at no cost and without creating an account.
There is one key limit you need to know about. Pre-conviction traffic cases -- cases that have not yet been resolved -- are not available through MCRO. If you got a citation recently and the case is still open, the system will not show it. For pending case information, you need to call the Pine County courthouse at (320) 591-1500 or visit in person. Once a case reaches a post-conviction status, it appears in MCRO and updates hourly during business hours.
If you come to the courthouse, public access computers are available so you can search records on-site. Certified copies of records must be requested through the court clerk. MCRO is read-only -- it does not let you file documents or pay fines through that system.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal, where you can look up Pine County traffic case records at no cost.
MCRO searches are free and do not require a login or account to use.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Pine County courthouse at (320) 591-1500 for information on pending traffic matters.
Paying Traffic Fines in Pine County
Pine County traffic fines can be paid in four ways: online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. The online portal is at webpay.courts.state.mn.us. A $2.34 convenience fee applies to both online and phone payments. You need to wait at least 7 days after your citation date before paying online, since it takes time for the ticket to be entered into the statewide system.
To pay by phone, call the Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 in the metro area or (800) 657-3611 toll-free. These lines are set up to handle traffic fine payments from anywhere in Minnesota. If you prefer to mail a check or money order, send it to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Write your citation number on the check so the payment gets matched to the right case.
You have 30 days from the date on your citation to respond -- either by paying the fine or by telling the court you want to contest it. Missing that window can result in a default judgment and other consequences. If your citation was for no proof of insurance, do not pay online. First send proof of insurance by fax to 320-231-6507, then call the court to confirm next steps.
The screenshot below shows the online Court Payment Center used to pay Pine County traffic fines.
Save your confirmation number after paying online or by phone in case you need to verify the transaction later.
Your Options After Getting a Citation in Pine County
After receiving a traffic ticket in Pine County, you have a few paths. You can pay the fine, which counts as a guilty plea and closes the case. You can contest the citation and request a court date. Or, if the ticket was for no insurance, you can submit proof of coverage before taking other steps. Paying is the fastest option for most minor violations.
Pine County does not have hearing officers, so there is no informal option here. If you want to contest your ticket, you will go before a judge. Contact the court to set that up before the 30-day deadline. Many traffic violations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, a petty misdemeanor fine can go up to $300. More serious offenses like reckless driving can rise to misdemeanor level with higher fines and possible jail time.
If you want help figuring out what to do, call the statewide court self-help line at (651) 435-6535, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can explain your options and walk you through the process, though they cannot give legal advice.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines options for people who receive citations in Minnesota.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full overview of your citation options in Minnesota.
Note: Pine County has no hearing officers -- to contest a citation, call (320) 591-1500 to request a court date before the 30-day deadline passes.
Traffic Violations and Penalties
Most traffic citations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors. That includes common violations like speeding, running a stop sign, or improper lane changes. Minnesota Statute 169.14 sets the speed limits: 30 mph in urban districts, 55 mph on most roads, 65 mph on expressways, and 70 mph on rural interstates. Going 100 mph or faster brings a mandatory 6-month license revocation on top of any fine.
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475. That means an officer can pull you over just for that, with no other violation needed. The fine is typically around $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are also a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, which can mean fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
Minnesota does not use a points system. Instead, the state counts convictions. Four offenses within 12 months leads to a 30-day license suspension. Five within 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more within 24 months means a 1-year suspension. If you need your driving record, the DVS charges $9 for a non-certified copy. Use form PS2502 and visit the DVS records request page to get started.
Cities in Pine County
The county seat is Pine City, which is also where the district courthouse is located. Other communities in Pine County include Sandstone, Hinckley, Askov, and Sturgeon Lake. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all traffic citations issued within Pine County are handled by the Pine County District Court regardless of where the stop occurred.
Nearby Counties
Pine County shares borders with several other Minnesota counties. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.