Red Lake County Traffic Records
Red Lake County traffic court records are processed through the 9th Judicial District Court in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. The court handles all traffic citations filed in the county, from payable speeding tickets to cases that go before a judge. This page explains how to search records, pay a fine, and respond to a citation in Red Lake County.
Red Lake County Overview
Red Lake County District Court
The Red Lake County District Court operates within the 9th Judicial District, which serves northwestern Minnesota. All traffic matters filed in Red Lake County run through the courthouse in Red Lake Falls. Whether the citation was issued on a state highway, a county road, or a township route, the Red Lake Falls courthouse is where the case gets processed.
Red Lake County is one of the smaller counties in Minnesota. The courthouse is compact, and court staff handle a range of case types beyond traffic matters. If you have questions about your citation, the right move is to call (218) 253-2151 during business hours. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking at the courthouse is free, with a surface lot and on-street spots available.
There are no hearing officers in Red Lake County. If you want to contest a citation, you go before a district court judge. Call the courthouse to request a hearing date before the 30-day deadline from your citation date. Waiting beyond that window can result in a default judgment. Have your citation number available when you call to keep things moving smoothly.
| Court | Red Lake County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Red Lake County Courthouse, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 |
| Phone | (218) 253-2151 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Parking | Free surface lot and on-street parking |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/red-lake |
The screenshot below shows the Red Lake County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Check the Red Lake County court page before visiting to confirm current hours and contact details.
Searching Traffic Records in Red Lake County
Minnesota Courts Records Online, or MCRO, is the free public tool for looking up court records statewide. You can search Red Lake County traffic cases by name, case number, or citation number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. No login or account is needed. The system covers all 87 counties in the state.
MCRO has one important limitation: pre-conviction cases are not available in the system. If your case has not been resolved yet, it won't show up in a search. Call the courthouse at (218) 253-2151 for information on pending cases. Once a case is decided, it becomes part of the public record and is searchable through MCRO. The database is updated on a regular schedule during business hours.
If you need certified copies of records, request them from the court clerk in person or by mail. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you run searches on-site at no charge. MCRO itself is a read-only system -- you can pull up records but you cannot pay fines or submit filings through it.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal used to look up Red Lake County traffic case records.
MCRO searches are free. No login is required to use the system.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Red Lake County courthouse at (218) 253-2151 for status on a pending case.
Paying Traffic Fines in Red Lake County
Red Lake County traffic fines can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Red Lake Falls courthouse. The online payment portal is at webpay.courts.state.mn.us. A $2.34 convenience fee is added to online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after the citation date before using the online portal -- the court needs time to enter the ticket into the system.
For phone payments, call (651) 281-3219 if you are in the metro area or (800) 657-3611 toll-free from anywhere in the state. To pay by mail, send a check or money order payable to the court to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Include your citation number on the check. In-person payments at the Red Lake Falls courthouse have no convenience fee during regular hours.
The 30-day deadline is firm. You must either pay or contact the court to arrange a hearing within 30 days of the citation date. Ignoring that deadline can lead to a default judgment and additional costs. If your ticket was for driving without insurance, contact the court before making any payment -- you may need to send in proof of coverage first. The fax number for insurance proof is (320) 231-6507.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota Court Payment Center portal used to pay Red Lake County traffic fines.
Always keep your confirmation number after completing a payment online or by phone.
Contesting a Citation in Red Lake County
To contest a traffic ticket in Red Lake County, call the courthouse at (218) 253-2151 and ask for a court date. There are no hearing officers here. Contested cases go before a district court judge. Act within 30 days of your citation date or you risk losing the right to contest.
Most traffic violations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, a petty misdemeanor fine can be up to $300. Reckless driving is a step up -- a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13 that carries fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. If your citation is for something serious, it may be worth getting legal advice before you decide whether to pay or fight it.
The state self-help line is (651) 435-6535, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can explain the process and help you figure out your next step. You can also find helpful information at mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which provides guidance for drivers in all Minnesota counties including Red Lake.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a breakdown of your options after a traffic citation.
Note: Red Lake County has no hearing officers -- call (218) 253-2151 to request a judge hearing if you want to contest your citation.
Traffic Laws and Penalties in Minnesota
Minnesota handles traffic violations in tiers. Everyday offenses like low-level speeding, failing to signal, or running a stop sign are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300. Minnesota Statute 169.14 sets speed limits at 30 mph in urban zones, 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. An officer can pull you over for it without any other reason. Fines are roughly $135 to $140. Seat belt violations work the same way under Minnesota Statute 169.686 -- officers can stop you for not wearing one.
Minnesota does not use a points system. The state counts your convictions instead. Four in 12 months means a 30-day suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months can bring a full year off the road. To get a copy of 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 Red Lake County
Red Lake Falls is the county seat and home to the district courthouse that handles all traffic cases from Red Lake County. Other communities in the county include Plummer and Brooks. None of these towns meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All traffic citations issued anywhere in Red Lake County are processed at the Red Lake Falls courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Red Lake County borders several other counties in northwestern Minnesota. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.