Ramsey County Traffic Court Records

Ramsey County traffic court records are handled through the 2nd Judicial District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. This page helps you find traffic citations, check case status, pay fines, and understand what to do after getting a ticket in Ramsey County. Ramsey County is one of seven Minnesota counties with dedicated hearing officers, which gives drivers an option for resolving citations before going before a judge.

Ramsey County District Court

The Ramsey County District Court is the sole court in the 2nd Judicial District -- the district serves only Ramsey County. It is one of the busiest courts in Minnesota given the population and density of the St. Paul metro area. Court Administrator Heather Kendall oversees the administrative side of court operations. The court handles the full range of traffic matters, from simple payable citations to contested cases before a judge.

Ramsey County is one of only seven counties in Minnesota where hearing officers are available for traffic citations. This is a meaningful option for drivers. A hearing officer is not a judge -- they hold an informal session where you can explain your side without the formality of a court trial. If the matter is not resolved with the hearing officer, you can still request a trial before a judge. To schedule a hearing officer appointment, call (651) 281-3219.

The court calendar is posted each business day at 7:00 a.m. and refreshes hourly throughout the day. If your case appears on the calendar, a hearing is scheduled. Confidential cases are not posted online. If you have questions about a specific matter, call (651) 266-8266. For urgent issues, that same number connects you directly with the Ramsey County courthouse.

One scam to know about: the court will NEVER send law enforcement to collect fines over the phone. If someone calls claiming to be from the court and asking for payment by phone through a law enforcement officer, it is a scam. Also note that sending an email to the court does not excuse you from appearing at a scheduled hearing. If you have a court date, you must appear in person unless the court tells you otherwise.

The Ramsey County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website has current contact details, local rules, and calendar access. Check it before visiting the courthouse in St. Paul.

The screenshot below shows the Ramsey County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where current court details are posted.

Use the court page to confirm contact details and hours before your visit to the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul.

Searching Traffic Records in Ramsey County

Minnesota Courts Records Online, known as MCRO, is the state's free tool for public court record searches. You can look up cases by name, citation number, or case number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. The system covers all counties including Ramsey. No account or login is required.

The key restriction is that pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO. If your citation is still open and unresolved, it will not show up in the online search. For pending case information, call the Ramsey County courthouse at (651) 266-8266. Once a case reaches a post-conviction status, it enters MCRO and refreshes hourly during business hours.

Public access computers are available at the courthouse for on-site record searches. Certified copies of records must be requested through the court clerk. MCRO is a viewing tool only and does not accept filings or payments.

The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal, where you can look up Ramsey County traffic case records at no cost.

MCRO is free to use and does not require a login or account to get started.

Paying Traffic Fines in Ramsey County

Ramsey County traffic fines can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person. The online portal is at webpay.courts.state.mn.us. Both online and phone payments carry a $2.34 convenience fee. Wait at least 7 days after your citation date before paying online, as it takes time for the ticket to be processed into the system.

Phone payments go to the Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 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. Write your citation number on the check. In-person payments are accepted at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul during business hours.

The 30-day deadline runs from your citation date. Within that window, either pay the fine or let the court know you want to contest it. Missing the deadline risks a default judgment. For no-insurance citations, skip online payment and fax proof of coverage to 320-231-6507 first, then call the court for next steps.

The screenshot below shows the online Court Payment Center used to pay Ramsey County traffic fines.

Save your confirmation number after paying online or by phone.

Your Options After Getting a Citation in Ramsey County

Ramsey County gives drivers more options than most Minnesota counties because of its hearing officer program. When you get a ticket here, you can: pay the fine (a guilty plea that closes the case), request a hearing officer session for an informal review, or contest the citation before a judge. The hearing officer option is unique to Ramsey County and six other metro-area counties. It is often a good first step if you want to dispute a ticket without going straight to trial.

To schedule a hearing officer appointment, call (651) 281-3219. You still need to act within the 30-day deadline. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the hearing officer session, you can still request a trial. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, a petty misdemeanor fine caps at $300. Reckless driving and other serious offenses can reach misdemeanor level with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time under Minnesota Statute 169.13.

The statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can explain the process, though they cannot give legal advice.

The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines options available to Minnesota drivers after receiving a citation.

Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full breakdown of your citation options statewide.

Traffic Violations and Penalties

Traffic citations in Minnesota fall into different categories based on how serious the offense is. Most 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. Driving 100 mph or more triggers an automatic 6-month license revocation on top of any fine.

Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475. Officers can stop you just for that. Fines run 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 -- it can mean fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

Minnesota does not use a points system. It counts convictions. Four violations in 12 months leads to a 30-day license suspension. Five triggers 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months means a 1-year suspension. To request your driving record, visit the DVS records request page. A non-certified copy is $9 using form PS2502.

Cities in Ramsey County

Ramsey County is home to St. Paul, the state capital and largest city in the county. Other communities include Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview, and Arden Hills. Traffic citations issued anywhere in Ramsey County are processed through the Ramsey County District Court at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul.

Nearby Counties

Ramsey County is bordered by several other Twin Cities metro counties. If your citation was from a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.