Redwood County Traffic Records
Redwood County traffic court records are handled by the 5th Judicial District Court in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Every traffic citation issued in the county -- from speeding on U.S. Highway 71 to local road violations -- is processed at the Redwood County Courthouse. This page covers how to search for records, pay a fine, and understand your options after receiving a citation in Redwood County.
Redwood County Overview
Redwood County District Court
The Redwood County District Court is part of the 5th Judicial District, which covers a large section of southwestern Minnesota. All traffic cases filed in Redwood County are processed at the courthouse on South Jefferson in Redwood Falls. Court Administrator Patricia Amberg oversees the administrative operations of the court. The courthouse is the central point for citation processing, hearing scheduling, and public record requests in the county.
The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is free, with both a surface lot and on-street options near the courthouse. One local note worth knowing: the court does not accept payments after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of the month. If you are planning to pay in person near the end of the month, go earlier in the day to avoid missing the window.
Redwood County does not have hearing officers. Contested citations go before a district court judge. Call (507) 616-4800 to ask for a hearing date. Do this within 30 days of the citation date -- the 30-day rule applies across all Minnesota counties. Missing that deadline can lead to a default judgment and additional fees. Have your citation number ready when you call.
| Court | Redwood County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Redwood County Courthouse, 250 S. Jefferson, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 |
| Phone | (507) 616-4800 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Payment Note | Payments not accepted after 2:30 p.m. on last working day of month |
| Parking | Free surface lot and on-street parking |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/redwood |
The screenshot below shows the Redwood County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Visit the Redwood County court page before your visit to check hours and confirm contact details.
Searching Traffic Records in Redwood County
Minnesota Courts Records Online -- MCRO -- is the state's free tool for looking up court records. You can search Redwood County traffic cases by name, case number, or citation number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. No account is required. MCRO covers all 87 Minnesota counties, including Redwood.
Pre-conviction cases do not appear in MCRO. If your citation is still open and no judgment has been entered, it will not show up in a search. For status on a pending case, call the Redwood County courthouse at (507) 616-4800. Once a case is resolved, it becomes part of the public record and is searchable through MCRO. The system updates regularly during business hours.
Certified copies of records are available through the court clerk, either in person or by mail. The courthouse also has public-access computers where you can search records on-site. MCRO is read-only -- it's for looking records up, not for paying fines or filing documents.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal used to look up Redwood County traffic court records.
Searches are free. No login is needed to use MCRO.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Redwood County courthouse at (507) 616-4800 for pending case status.
Paying Traffic Fines in Redwood County
Redwood County traffic fines can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person. The online portal is at webpay.courts.state.mn.us. A $2.34 convenience fee applies to online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after the citation date before trying to pay online -- the court needs time to enter the ticket into the system first.
Phone payments are handled by calling (651) 281-3219 in the metro area or (800) 657-3611 toll-free. For mail payments, send a check or money order payable to the court to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Put your citation number on the check. In-person payments at the Redwood Falls courthouse are accepted during regular hours -- but remember that payments are cut off at 2:30 p.m. on the last business day of the month. No convenience fee for in-person payments.
All citations must be addressed within 30 days of the issue date. That means you need to either pay or contact the court to request a hearing before the 30-day window closes. Missing it can lead to a default judgment. If your citation was for lack of insurance, reach out to the court before paying. You may need to send proof of coverage first. Fax insurance documents to (320) 231-6507.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota Court Payment Center portal used to pay Redwood County traffic fines.
Save your confirmation number after paying online or by phone.
Contesting a Citation in Redwood County
To fight a traffic ticket in Redwood County, call the courthouse at (507) 616-4800 and ask for a court date. There are no hearing officers here -- contested cases go in front of a district court judge. Make the call within 30 days of your citation date.
Most traffic citations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, the fine for a petty misdemeanor can be up to $300. Reckless driving falls under Minnesota Statute 169.13, which is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 and potential jail time up to 90 days. A serious charge is worth talking through with an attorney before you decide how to respond.
The statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535 is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can answer basic questions about the process. You can also read through your options at mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which covers citation options for drivers across the state including Redwood County.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full breakdown of what to do after getting a ticket.
Note: Redwood County has no hearing officers -- call (507) 616-4800 to request a judge hearing if you want to contest your citation.
Traffic Laws and Penalties in Minnesota
Minnesota groups traffic offenses by severity. Common violations like speeding moderately, failing to yield, or not coming to a full stop are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300. Minnesota Statute 169.14 sets the speed limit at 30 mph in urban areas, 55 mph on most roads, 65 mph on expressways, and 70 mph on rural interstates. Anyone caught driving at 100 mph or more faces an automatic 6-month license revocation.
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475. Officers can stop you for it alone. The fine is around $135 to $140. Seat belt violations under Minnesota Statute 169.686 work the same way -- primary offense, no other reason needed to pull you over.
Minnesota does not use a points system. The state tallies convictions directly. Four in 12 months brings a 30-day license suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months can lead to a 1-year suspension. To get a copy of your driving record, the Department of Vehicle Services charges $9 for a non-certified copy. Submit form PS2502 through the DVS records request page.
Cities in Redwood County
Redwood Falls is the county seat and the location of the district courthouse that handles all traffic cases from Redwood County. Other communities in the county include Clements, Lamberton, and Wabasso. None of these towns meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All citations issued anywhere in Redwood County are processed at the Redwood Falls courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Redwood County borders several other counties in southwestern Minnesota. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.