Sherburne County Traffic Records
Sherburne County traffic court records are handled through the 10th Judicial District Court in Elk River, Minnesota. This page helps you find traffic citations, check case status, pay fines, and learn what to do if you want to contest a ticket. The Elk River courthouse handles all traffic cases filed within Sherburne County, including citations from Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 10, two major corridors that run through the county.
Sherburne County Overview
Sherburne County District Court
The Sherburne County District Court operates within the 10th Judicial District, which covers several counties northwest of the Twin Cities metro area. The court processes all traffic cases filed in Sherburne County, from minor speeding tickets to more serious moving violations. Court staff can answer questions about case status and walk you through next steps.
The courthouse is in Elk River, off Business Center Drive NW. A free surface parking lot is available for visitors. Court hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you plan to pay in person or ask about your case, arrive before 4:30 p.m. Sherburne County has grown steadily over the past decade, and the court handles a fairly active traffic docket as a result.
Sherburne County does not have hearing officers. If you want to contest your citation, you will need to request a court date and appear before a judge. Call the court to set that up before your 30-day response deadline. Do not wait until the last minute, since it can take a few days to get a date scheduled and confirmed.
| Court | Sherburne County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330 |
| Phone | (763) 284-7140 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/sherburne |
The Sherburne County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website has current contact details, court calendar access, and local administrative information.
The screenshot below shows the Sherburne County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where you can find up-to-date hours and contact details.
Check this page before visiting to make sure the courthouse schedule has not changed.
Searching Traffic Records in Sherburne County
Minnesota Courts Records Online, or MCRO, is the free public tool for searching court case records across all Minnesota counties including Sherburne. You can look up cases by name, case number, or citation number. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to start. No account is needed.
One key limit: MCRO only shows post-conviction records. If your case is still open -- meaning no court date has passed and no judgment has been entered -- it will not show up in the system. For pending case information, call the courthouse at (763) 284-7140 or visit in person. Once a case is closed, the record is available online and the system updates hourly during business hours.
If you need certified copies of records, you have to go through the court clerk either in person or by mail. MCRO is a read-only search tool. You cannot use it to pay fines or submit documents.
The image below shows the MCRO public access portal, the main way to look up Sherburne County traffic case records for free.
MCRO is free and open to the public without a login or registration.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Sherburne County courthouse at (763) 284-7140 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in Sherburne County
If you have a payable traffic citation from Sherburne County, you can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payments go through webpay.courts.state.mn.us. There is a $2.34 convenience fee for online and phone payments. You need to wait at least 7 days after the citation date before the system will accept an online payment.
By phone, call 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. Put your citation number on the check so the payment goes to the right case.
You have 30 days from the date of your citation to respond. If you got a ticket for no proof of insurance, do not pay online. Send proof of insurance to the court by fax at 320-231-6507 first, then call the Sherburne County courthouse for next steps.
The screenshot below shows the state's online Court Payment Center portal used for Sherburne County traffic fine payments.
Write down your confirmation number after paying online or by phone.
Your Options After Getting a Citation in Sherburne County
After receiving a traffic ticket in Sherburne County, you have three main choices: pay the fine, contest it before a judge, or -- if the ticket was for no insurance -- submit proof of coverage. Paying resolves things quickly. Contesting means requesting a court date, since there are no hearing officers in Sherburne County.
Most violations are petty misdemeanors with fines up to $300 under Minnesota Statute 169.89. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute 169.13, carrying up to $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail. Knowing the level of your violation helps you decide whether it is worth contesting.
For guidance, call the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535, 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 the options for drivers who receive citations anywhere in Minnesota.
See mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a complete guide to your citation options.
Note: Sherburne County has no hearing officers -- if you want to contest a citation, call (763) 284-7140 to request a court date before the 30-day deadline.
Traffic Violations and Penalties
Speed limits in Minnesota are governed by Minnesota Statute 169.14: 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 results in an automatic 6-month license revocation. Sherburne County has stretches of both I-94 and U.S. 10 where speed is actively enforced.
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475, with fines around $135 to $140. Seat belt violations are a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Both are enforced on major roads in the county.
Minnesota does not use a points system. It tracks conviction counts. Four in 12 months means a 30-day license suspension. Five in 12 months is 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months is a 1-year suspension. Driver records cost $9 for a non-certified copy and can be ordered via form PS2502 on the DVS records request page.
Cities in Sherburne County
Elk River is the county seat and the largest city in Sherburne County, serving as the home of the district courthouse. Other communities include Big Lake, Becker, Zimmerman, and Clear Lake. None meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all traffic citations issued within Sherburne County are processed at the Elk River courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Sherburne County borders several other Minnesota counties. If your citation came from a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court.