St. Utsman County Arrest Records
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Stutsman County in 2026
StUtsmanRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Stutsman County, North Dakota. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, bond amounts, and related court case data through official county and state resources. Available record categories include jail rosters, criminal court filings, sheriff's office logs, and district court case histories. Information presented through these sources may not reflect final case dispositions and should not be construed as evidence of guilt.
Records may be searched through official resources including the county sheriff's office, the Stutsman County Correctional Center, the Clerk of District Court, and the North Dakota Courts public access portal.
Online Methods:
1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records
The Stutsman County Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over law enforcement operations throughout the county. The office provides access to arrest-related information through the county's correctional center records system. Members of the public may review the Stutsman County inmate roster, which features live, up-to-date data including inmate names, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. The roster is updated in real time as new bookings are processed at the facility.
2. Local Police Departments
The City of Jamestown Police Department serves the county seat and issues periodic press releases containing arrest information. Members of the public seeking arrest logs from municipal law enforcement may contact the Jamestown Police Department directly. The department operates independently from the Sheriff's Office, and arrest records originating from city jurisdiction are maintained separately from county records.
Jamestown Police Department
212 2nd Ave NE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-3306
City of Jamestown
3. County Clerk of Court Case Search
Arrest records are frequently linked to criminal court filings maintained by the Clerk of District Court. Members of the public may search associated court cases through the North Dakota Courts public case search portal, which includes Stutsman County records within the Southeast Judicial District. Searches may be conducted by defendant name, case number, citation number, or attorney name. The portal provides access to case status, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and disposition information.
Guidance on conducting criminal case records searches through the North Dakota Court System is available on the court's official website, including instructions for narrowing results by jurisdiction, date filed, and case cross-reference number.
4. State Law Enforcement Database
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) maintains the state's criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a name-based criminal history record check through the BCI. Fees apply to record requests submitted through the state repository. The BCI database includes arrest and disposition information reported by law enforcement agencies statewide.
In-Person Access:
Sheriff's Office:
205 2nd St SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9035
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Stutsman County Sheriff
Persons appearing in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Copy fees may apply.
Stutsman County Correctional Center:
205 2nd St SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9035
Correctional Center
Clerk of District Court:
511 2nd Ave SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9042
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Stutsman County District Court
By Mail:
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Stutsman County Sheriff's Office at 205 2nd St SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requestor's full contact information. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the written request. Processing time varies based on record volume and staff availability.
By Phone:
The Sheriff's Office may be reached at (701) 252-9035 during regular business hours. Staff may provide limited information by telephone and may direct callers to the online inmate roster or advise an in-person visit for detailed records. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available.
Through Legal Channels:
Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated investigative materials through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access channels. Records obtained through legal proceedings may include materials not available to the general public.
Information Needed for Search:
- Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Approximate date of arrest
- Booking number (if known)
- Jurisdiction of arrest (city or county)
Are Arrest Records Public in Stutsman County
Arrest records in Stutsman County are public records under North Dakota law. Pursuant to § 44-04-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, all government records are presumed open to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This presumption of openness reflects the state's commitment to government transparency and public accountability. Arrest records serve multiple public interests, including community safety awareness, journalistic investigation, background screening, and legal proceedings.
What Arrest Information Is Public:
- Arrestee name and known aliases
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Booking number
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Bond and bail information
- Current custody status
- Basic demographic information including age and physical description
Limitations on Public Access:
- Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under state law
- Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following court order
- Records sealed by court order are not available to the general public
- Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
- Undercover officer identities are protected
- Confidential informant information is exempt from disclosure
- Victim identifying information may be restricted in certain case types
- Witness protection participants are not identified in public records
Constitutional and Legal Basis:
The North Dakota Constitution and the state's open records statutes establish the legal framework for public access to government records. Courts have recognized that the First Amendment supports press and public access to arrest information as a matter of democratic accountability. Due process considerations require that arrest records accurately reflect the status of proceedings, including dismissals and acquittals.
Who Can Access Arrest Records:
- Members of the general public
- Media organizations and journalists
- Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
- Licensing and regulatory agencies
- Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
- Attorneys and legal professionals
- Academic researchers
Restrictions on Use:
Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. North Dakota does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, but federal contractors are subject to applicable federal guidance. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt, and reliance on arrest records alone for adverse employment or housing decisions may expose decision-makers to legal liability.
What's in Stutsman County Arrest Records
Personal Identification Information:
- Full legal name and any aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Sex and race/ethnicity
- Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
- Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
- Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Jamestown Police Department, or other)
- Booking date and time
- Booking number or arrest number
- Warrant information, if applicable
Charges Information:
- Specific criminal charges
- North Dakota Century Code statute numbers violated
- Charge classification (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Number of counts per charge
- Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Booking Information:
- Booking facility name and location
- Intake timestamp
- Booking photograph
- Fingerprints (collected but not included in public records)
- Personal property inventory
Custody and Bond Information:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond
- Release date and time, if applicable
Court Information:
- Court case number assigned
- Court jurisdiction (Southeast Judicial District)
- Scheduled arraignment date
- Judge assignment, if available
What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:
- Detailed narrative of the arrest or police report
- Witness statements
- Victim identifying information
- Evidence collected during investigation
- Medical or mental health information
- Social Security number (redacted)
- Financial account information
Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:
- Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not always available publicly
- Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated after arrest
- Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
- Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories
How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Stutsman County?
Members of the public may inspect publicly available arrest records at no charge. Fees apply when copies are requested. Under North Dakota law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies (court records) | $10.00 per document |
| Electronic records | Varies by agency |
| Search fee | No statutory search fee |
The Clerk of District Court charges a certification fee for court documents. The Sheriff's Office may charge per-page copy fees consistent with county policy. Inspection of records at a public access terminal is available at no cost during regular business hours.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Electronic payment options vary by department. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to serve a significant public interest, subject to agency discretion.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Stutsman County
North Dakota law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). Expungement results in the destruction or removal of records from public databases, while sealing restricts access without physical destruction. Under § 12-60.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, individuals may petition for the sealing of criminal records under qualifying circumstances.
Eligibility for record sealing in North Dakota includes:
- Cases where charges were dismissed
- Cases resulting in acquittal
- Cases where the prosecutor declined to file charges
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
- Deferred imposition of sentence cases following successful completion
Felony convictions involving violence, sexual offenses, or offenses against children are not eligible for sealing under current law.
Steps to Petition for Record Sealing:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case from the Clerk of District Court
- Confirm eligibility based on case disposition and waiting period requirements
- Complete the petition for sealing of criminal record (available from the Clerk of Court)
- File the petition with the Stutsman County District Court and pay the applicable filing fee
- Serve the petition on the State's Attorney's Office
- Attend the scheduled hearing if the State's Attorney objects
- If the court grants the petition, the order is transmitted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and relevant law enforcement agencies
Stutsman County District Court – Clerk of Court:
511 2nd Ave SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9042
Stutsman County District Court
Stutsman County State's Attorney's Office:
511 2nd Ave SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9042
Individuals seeking to seal records are advised to consult with a licensed North Dakota attorney. The State Bar Association of North Dakota maintains a lawyer referral service accessible through its official website.
What Happens After Arrest in Stutsman County?
Immediate Post-Arrest Process:
1. Transport to Jail
Following arrest, the individual is transported to the Stutsman County Correctional Center, which operates pursuant to North Dakota Century Code Chapter 12-44.1 and applicable North Dakota Correctional Standards. The facility is located at 205 2nd St SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.
2. Booking Process
Upon arrival at the Correctional Center, the booking process is initiated. This process includes recording personal information, photographing the individual, collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying personal property, issuing jail clothing, and completing medical and mental health screenings. The booking process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume.
3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing
Under North Dakota law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge without unnecessary delay, and no later than 48 hours following arrest absent extraordinary circumstances. At the initial appearance, the court formally notifies the individual of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the individual of the right to counsel, and appoints a public defender if the individual is determined to be indigent. Initial appearances may be conducted via video conference.
Bond/Bail Process:
Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the court or jail. The amount is refunded upon conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees.
Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set by state regulation.
Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, nature of charges, and assessed flight risk.
No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.
Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.
4. Release or Continued Detention
If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives a court date, written conditions of release, and a return of personal property. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant.
If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to facility rules including commissary, telephone, and visitation procedures.
Accessing Legal Representation:
Stutsman County Public Defender:
511 2nd Ave SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9042
Eligibility for public defender services is based on financial need. Private counsel may be retained at any stage of proceedings and may visit the Correctional Center for confidential consultations.
Charging Decision:
The Stutsman County State's Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony matters, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.
Arraignment follows the filing of formal charges. The defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are scheduled.
Court Process Overview:
The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. The prosecution may offer a plea agreement involving reduced charges or a sentencing recommendation. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial.
Case Resolution Options:
- Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or legal defects
- Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court; successful completion results in dismissal
- Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts guilty or no contest plea; sentencing hearing is scheduled
- Trial: Jury or bench trial; if guilty verdict is returned, sentencing follows
Sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. Appeal rights are explained at sentencing.
Timeline Overview:
- Arrest to first appearance: Within 48 hours
- First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks depending on case complexity
- Arraignment to resolution: Months, varying widely by charge severity
- Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months
- Felonies: May extend six months to over one year
- Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the North Dakota Constitution
Rights Throughout the Process:
- Right to remain silent
- Right to counsel
- Right to a speedy trial
- Right to confront witnesses
- Right to present a defense
- Right against self-incrimination
- Right to appeal a conviction
Important Contacts:
Stutsman County Correctional Center (Jail):
205 2nd St SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9035
Correctional Center
Clerk of District Court:
511 2nd Ave SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9042
Stutsman County Court Information
State's Attorney's Office:
511 2nd Ave SE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 252-9042
What to Do If Arrested:
- Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
- Do not physically resist arrest
- Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
- Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case until counsel is present
- Do not discuss the case with other inmates, family, or friends
- Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
- Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
- Comply with all conditions of release
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Stutsman County?
Records Retention Overview:
Retention of arrest records in Stutsman County is governed by North Dakota state law and the North Dakota State Records Management Program. Under § 54-46-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, public records may not be destroyed except in accordance with an approved records retention schedule. Retention periods vary based on the type of record, the agency maintaining it, and the disposition of the underlying case.
Arrest Records Retention by Type:
Felony Convictions:
- Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Included in the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases indefinitely
Misdemeanor Convictions:
- Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the state repository
- Court records for misdemeanor cases are retained for a minimum of ten years in most jurisdictions
Dismissed Charges:
- Local law enforcement records are retained for a period determined by the applicable retention schedule
- Court records may be retained permanently unless sealed by court order
- Records may remain in databases unless the subject successfully petitions for sealing
Acquittals:
- Court records are retained permanently
- Local law enforcement records are retained per the applicable schedule
- Subject may petition for sealing of associated arrest records
Charges Not Filed:
- Booking records are retained for a shorter period than conviction records
- Subjects may be eligible to petition for immediate sealing in qualifying circumstances
Retention by Agency:
Sheriff's Office and Correctional Center:
- Booking records and arrest reports are retained per the North Dakota records retention schedule
- Investigative files are retained based on case type and disposition
- Contact: (701) 252-9035
Clerk of District Court:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: Minimum ten years
- Electronic court records: Permanent
- Contact: (701) 252-9042
State Repository (Bureau of Criminal Investigation):
- Maintains arrest and disposition records from all North Dakota jurisdictions
- Retention policy follows state and federal guidelines
- Records accessible to law enforcement statewide
FBI Database:
- NCIC and III records are retained at the federal level, with permanent retention for most criminal history entries
- Accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide for background checks, firearms transactions, and employment screening
Effect of Disposition on Retention:
A conviction results in permanent retention across all relevant databases. A dismissal or acquittal may remain in databases unless the subject obtains a court order for sealing. Expungement or sealing results in removal from public access at the local and state level; however, the FBI database may retain a notation accessible only to law enforcement. Records for which no charges were filed are subject to the shortest retention periods and may be purged automatically after the applicable retention period expires.
Third-Party Databases:
Commercial background check companies and mugshot aggregation websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same update requirements as government agencies. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate and current information, but enforcement varies. Subjects who have obtained sealing orders may need to contact third-party operators directly to request removal of outdated records.
Impact on Background Checks:
Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. North Dakota does not currently impose a shorter reporting period for non-conviction arrest records under state law. Employers and landlords are advised to distinguish between arrests and convictions when making adverse decisions based on criminal history information.
How to Check Retention Status:
Members of the public may contact the Stutsman County Sheriff's Records Division at (701) 252-9035 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A formal public records request may be required, and applicable copy fees may apply.