Brown County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Brown County in 2026
BrownCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records maintained by government agencies in Brown County, South Dakota. Members of the public seeking criminal record information may find data pertaining to court case filings, arrest logs, booking records, charge dispositions, and sentencing outcomes. The following record categories are among those that may be accessible through official channels:
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Jail inmate rosters
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public:
1. County Court Records: The Brown County Circuit Court, part of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, serves as the official repository for criminal case filings within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors should bring the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and a valid government-issued photo ID. Public access terminals are available on-site for self-service case lookups.
Brown County Clerk of Courts
101 SE 1st Avenue
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone: (605) 626-7100
Brown County | South Dakota Unified Judicial System
2. Sheriff's Office: The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, inmate rosters, and booking records. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records. The Sheriff's Office also publishes current jail inmate information.
Brown County Sheriff's Office
25 Market Street
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone: (605) 626-7911
Brown County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search: The South Dakota eCourts portal allows members of the public to search court case records statewide, including Brown County. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal returns case status, charge information, and scheduled hearing dates. Certain records may be restricted from online access pursuant to court order or state statute.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of a completed request form, applicable fees, and in some instances fingerprint cards. Processing times vary based on request type.
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
1302 E Highway 14, Suite 5
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3331
South Dakota DCI
5. Written/Mail Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Brown County Clerk of Courts at PO Box 1087, Aberdeen, SD 57402-1087. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, case number if known, and a description of the records sought. Response timeframes are governed by South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1, which establishes the public's right of access to government records.
What Is Brown County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Brown County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under South Dakota law, a criminal record may encompass arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, probation or parole status, and any subsequent modifications to those entries.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody, whereas a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. Felony records involve offenses classified as more serious under South Dakota Codified Laws § 22-6-1, while misdemeanor records pertain to lesser offenses. Juvenile records are treated separately under state law and are sealed from public access in most circumstances. Active warrant records reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document resolved matters.
Multiple agencies maintain components of a criminal record:
- The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail booking records.
- The Brown County Circuit Court maintains court case files, charge records, and disposition records.
- The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history repository.
- The Aberdeen Police Department maintains records of arrests and incidents occurring within city limits.
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through the criminal justice system. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System serves as the authoritative source for court-based criminal records in Brown County.
Are Criminal Records Public In Brown County
Criminal records in Brown County are public records under South Dakota law. South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1 establishes that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute or court order. As stated in the statute, "all citizens of this state, and all other persons interested in the examination of the public records… are entitled to inspect and take a copy of any public record."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public. The following categories of records are subject to restricted access:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to state law
- Expunged or sealed records, which are removed from public view by court order
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and medical records associated with criminal proceedings
- Records sealed by specific court order
Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not governed by South Dakota's open records law. The South Dakota Attorney General's office provides guidance on public records access obligations applicable to state and county agencies.
How To Find Criminal Records in Brown County Online
Official County Resources: The primary online portal for Brown County criminal court records is South Dakota eCourts, which provides public access to case information filed in the Brown County Circuit Court. Users may search by party name or case number. The portal displays case status, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Certain records are restricted from online display in accordance with federal and state statutes and the Rules Governing the Unified Judicial System, as noted directly on the eCourts platform.
State-Level Resources: The South Dakota Court Records Access page maintained by the Unified Judicial System provides multiple methods for searching court case information, checking court dates, and conducting record searches across all South Dakota counties, including Brown County. The South Dakota DCI also operates a background check portal for formal criminal history requests.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations.
- Searching by case number yields the most precise results when the number is known.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies share data in real time.
- Be aware that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches.
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public-facing online databases.
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online access does not substitute for a certified official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Brown County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: South Dakota law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Pursuant to § 1-27-1, inspection of records is free; fees apply only to copies. In-person inspection is available at the Brown County Clerk of Courts, 101 SE 1st Avenue, Aberdeen, SD 57401, and at the Brown County Sheriff's Office, 25 Market Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401.
2. Free Online Databases: The South Dakota eCourts portal provides free public access to court case information. The South Dakota Court Records Access portal is also available at no cost for general case searches.
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Brown County Sheriff's Office publishes current inmate and booking information. Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Sheriff's Office at no charge.
What Costs Money:
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$2.00 per page (varies) |
| Official state background check (DCI) | $15.00 per request |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $43.25 (DCI current rate) |
Fee schedules are subject to change and are governed by state administrative rules. Members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the relevant agency prior to submitting a request.
What's Included in a Brown County Criminal Record
Identifying Information: A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date if applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of probation or supervised release, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements: A complete criminal record may also include active warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI entries, certain traffic violations, and pending charges not yet adjudicated.
NOT Included in Public Records:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under state law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs
- Federal criminal records maintained solely by the FBI
Accuracy Note: Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.
How Long Does Brown County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements: South Dakota's records retention schedules, administered through the South Dakota State Archives and applicable court rules, govern how long criminal records must be maintained. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System follows retention schedules established under state administrative authority.
Retention by Record Type:
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement petition |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted in record) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; destruction timeline governed by court order |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences: County circuit courts retain criminal case files permanently under judicial records retention rules. The Brown County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to county retention schedules. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation retains conviction records permanently in the state repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, but the electronic version remains accessible in the state system.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical elimination of a record. Sealing removes a record from public access while preserving it for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under limited circumstances in South Dakota, results in the removal of a record from public databases. Even if a county destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.
Expungement: South Dakota law permits expungement of certain arrest records where no conviction resulted. Individuals seeking expungement must petition the circuit court in the county where the arrest occurred. Eligibility criteria and petition forms are available through the South Dakota Unified Judicial System. Expunged records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies notwithstanding removal from public databases.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI under the Interstate Identification Index are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on record permanently and appear on background checks. Employment background screening services typically report convictions within a 7–10 year window under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, though professional licensing boards and certain employers may require full disclosure of all convictions regardless of age.