Search Washington County Traffic Records
Washington County traffic court records are handled through the 10th Judicial District Court in Stillwater, Minnesota. Washington County is one of seven Minnesota counties that offers hearing officers for traffic citations -- a less formal option for contesting a ticket before going before a judge. This page explains how to search for records, pay a fine, and understand what options are available after receiving a citation in Washington County.
Washington County Overview
Washington County District Court
The Washington County District Court operates within the 10th Judicial District, which serves the eastern Twin Cities metro area. The court is located at the Washington County Courthouse in Stillwater and handles all traffic cases filed in the county. Court Administrator Deb Lepper oversees administrative operations. Court staff can answer questions about case status and guide you through the next steps after receiving a citation.
Washington County is one of only seven counties in Minnesota with dedicated hearing officers for traffic citations. The other six are Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Scott. This makes Washington County one of the few places in the state where you have a step between paying a fine and appearing before a judge. Most counties go straight from citation to court. Here you have an extra option.
The courthouse is in Stillwater with free surface lot parking available on site. Plan to arrive before 4:30 p.m. on weekdays for in-person visits. The court calendar is posted online each business day and updated throughout the day. Confidential cases do not appear on the public calendar -- call the court if you need case information that is not visible online.
| Court | Washington County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Washington County Courthouse, 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Phone | (651) 413-8030 |
| Court Administrator | Deb Lepper |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/washington |
The Washington County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website lists current contact details, local rules, map and directions, and information about hearing officer scheduling. Check that page before your visit.
The screenshot below shows the Washington County court information page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, where you can confirm contact details, hours, and hearing officer scheduling information.
Use the court page to verify hours and check for any updates before visiting the Stillwater courthouse.
Hearing Officers in Washington County
Washington County is one of only seven Minnesota counties where hearing officers are available for traffic citations. A hearing officer is not a judge -- it is a neutral third party who reviews your citation in a less formal setting than a courtroom. Many people find this process easier to navigate than a full court hearing, especially for minor violations where they want to explain circumstances without going before a judge right away.
To schedule a hearing officer appointment in Washington County, call (651) 281-3219. You must do this within your 30-day response window. Do not wait until day 29 to call. The hearing officer process is an additional step available only in Washington County and a handful of other metro-area counties -- it is not offered in most of the state.
If you are not satisfied with the hearing officer's decision, you can still request a full court hearing before a judge. Going through a hearing officer does not give up your right to contest the case in court. It simply gives you one more option before that step. For some people, the hearing officer alone resolves the matter without any court appearance needed.
Hearing Officers Available: Washington County is one of 7 Minnesota counties with hearing officers for traffic citations. Call (651) 281-3219 to schedule an appointment within your 30-day response window.
Searching Traffic Records in Washington County
Minnesota Courts Records Online, or MCRO, is the free statewide tool for looking up court case information. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. MCRO covers post-conviction cases from all Minnesota counties, including Washington. Access it at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. No login or fee is required.
The key limit: pre-conviction cases are not available in MCRO. If your citation is still open and unresolved, it will not show up in the online search. For pending case information, call the Washington County courthouse at (651) 413-8030 or visit in person. Post-conviction records are available online. MCRO updates its data hourly during business hours.
The courthouse has public access computers for on-site record searches. Certified copies of records must be requested through the court clerk. MCRO is a read-only system and does not allow document submissions or fine payments.
The image below shows the MCRO public access search portal for looking up Washington County traffic court records.
MCRO is free to use and requires no account or login.
Note: Pre-conviction cases are not available through MCRO -- call the Washington County courthouse at (651) 413-8030 for pending case information.
Paying Traffic Fines in Washington County
Payable traffic citations in Washington County can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Stillwater courthouse. Online payments go through webpay.courts.state.mn.us. There is a $2.34 convenience fee for online and phone payments. Wait at least 7 days after your citation date before trying to pay online -- the ticket needs time to be entered into the system. Trying to pay too soon will result in an error.
Phone payments are accepted through the Court Payment Center at (651) 281-3219 (metro) or (800) 657-3611 (toll-free). For mail payments, send a check or money order to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201. Write your citation number on the check so it gets applied to the right case.
You have 30 days from the date of the citation to respond. Pay the fine, request a hearing officer appointment, or contact the court to set a court date -- all within that 30-day window. Missing the deadline can result in a default judgment. If your citation was for no proof of insurance, do not pay online. Submit proof of insurance by fax to 320-231-6507 first, then speak with court staff about next steps.
The screenshot below shows the Court Payment Center online portal used for Washington County traffic fine payments.
Save your payment confirmation number after paying online or over the phone.
Your Options After Getting a Citation
After a traffic ticket in Washington County, you have more choices than residents in most Minnesota counties. You can pay the fine, which counts as a guilty plea. You can request a hearing officer appointment, which gives you a chance to discuss the citation informally before any court appearance. You can contest the citation before a judge. Or, if the charge was no insurance, you can submit proof of coverage and follow up with the court.
Most traffic violations in Minnesota are petty misdemeanors. Under Minnesota Statute 169.89, a petty misdemeanor fine can go up to $300. More serious violations -- reckless driving, for example -- can rise to misdemeanor level under Minnesota Statute 169.13, with fines up to $1,000 and potential jail time. If you want advice before deciding, call the statewide self-help line at (651) 435-6535, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The image below is from the Minnesota Judicial Branch traffic help page, which outlines your citation options across the state.
Visit mncourts.gov/help-topics/traffic-issues for a full overview of your options after receiving a citation in Washington County.
Traffic Laws and Penalties in Minnesota
Speeding, improper lane changes, and most other citations in Washington County 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. Going 100 mph or faster triggers an automatic 6-month license revocation regardless of other penalties.
Texting while driving is a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.475 -- officers can stop you for phone use alone. The fine is roughly $135-$140. Seat belt violations are also a primary offense under Minnesota Statute 169.686. Reckless driving under Minnesota Statute 169.13 is a misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.
Minnesota does not use a points system. The state tracks conviction counts. Four offenses in 12 months leads to a 30-day suspension. Five in 12 months means 90 days. Eight or more in 24 months results in a 1-year suspension. To get your driving record, use form PS2502 through the DVS records request page. Non-certified copies cost $9.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes several communities in the eastern Twin Cities metro area. Woodbury is the largest city in the county and has a dedicated city page for traffic court records. Other communities include Stillwater, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Cottage Grove, and Forest Lake. Traffic citations issued anywhere in Washington County are handled through the Washington County District Court in Stillwater.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several counties in the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. If your citation was issued in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court information.