Burleigh County Criminal Records
What Is Burleigh County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Burleigh County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which establishes the framework for public records in the state.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Documentation of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, hearings, and trials
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding an individual's detention in county jail facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records merely indicate that an individual was taken into custody based on probable cause, while conviction records confirm that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through due process. Additionally, criminal records differentiate between:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
- Infractions: Minor violations usually resulting in fines only
In Burleigh County, several agencies maintain criminal records:
Burleigh County Sheriff's Department
514 E Thayer Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 222-6651
Burleigh County Sheriff's Department
Burleigh County District Court
514 E Thayer Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 222-6700
Burleigh County Court
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
4205 State Street
Bismarck, ND 58503
Phone: (701) 328-5500
North Dakota BCI
It is important to note that juvenile records are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under North Dakota Century Code § 27-20-51, which protects the privacy of minors involved in the criminal justice system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Burleigh County
Criminal records in Burleigh County are generally considered public information in accordance with North Dakota's open records laws. The North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18 establishes that "all records of public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or agencies of the state or any political subdivision of the state, or organizations or agencies supported in whole or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, shall be public records, open and accessible for inspection during reasonable office hours."
This statute creates a presumption of openness for most government records, including criminal records. However, several important exceptions exist:
- Active investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure
- Juvenile records: As stipulated in North Dakota Century Code § 27-20-51, records involving minors are generally sealed and not available to the public
- Sealed or expunged records: Records that have been legally sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible
- Certain personal information: Information such as Social Security numbers, medical records, and other sensitive personal data may be redacted
The North Dakota Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, including criminal proceedings, as established in cases such as Forum Publishing Co. v. Paulson (1998), which affirmed that court records are presumptively open to public inspection.
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Burleigh County may access them through various means, including in-person requests at the Burleigh County Courthouse, online through the North Dakota Courts Records portal, or by submitting formal requests to the appropriate agencies.
It should be noted that while criminal records are generally public, certain procedural requirements and reasonable fees may apply when requesting copies of these records, as permitted under state law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Burleigh County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Burleigh County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:
In-Person Requests at the Courthouse:
- Visit the Burleigh County District Court Clerk's Office located at:
Burleigh County District Court
514 E Thayer Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 222-6700
Burleigh County Court
-
Complete a records request form, providing the following information:
- Full name of the subject (including aliases)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date of incident or court proceeding
- Requestor's contact information
-
Present valid government-issued photo identification
-
Pay applicable fees (currently $10 for record searches and $1 per page for copies)
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Court staff will process the request while you wait for smaller requests or notify you when larger requests are ready for pickup
Online Access:
- Navigate to the North Dakota Courts Records portal
- Select Burleigh County from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or date range)
- Review search results, which include case types, filing dates, and party information
- Access case details, which may include charges, hearing dates, and case disposition
- Print or save electronic copies of publicly available documents
Mail or Email Requests:
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Prepare a written request including:
- Subject's full name and date of birth
- Specific records being requested
- Requestor's contact information
- Copy of requestor's identification
- Check or money order for applicable fees
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Mail the request to:
Burleigh County Clerk of Court
PO Box 1516
Bismarck, ND 58502-1516
Criminal History Record Checks:
For comprehensive criminal history reports, individuals must submit requests to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation:
- Complete the SFN 50744 form available on the North Dakota Attorney General's website
- Include fingerprints (for complete record checks)
- Submit the $15 processing fee
- Mail materials to:
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
PO Box 1054
Bismarck, ND 58502-1054
Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 12-60-16.6, requestors must have a legitimate purpose for accessing criminal history information, and certain restrictions apply regarding the use of this information.
How To Find Criminal Records in Burleigh County Online?
Burleigh County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and local government agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information while adhering to relevant privacy laws and regulations.
The primary online resources for accessing Burleigh County criminal records include:
North Dakota Courts Records Search: The North Dakota Courts Records portal serves as the comprehensive database for court records throughout the state, including Burleigh County. Users can:
- Search by name, case number, attorney, or judge
- Filter results by case type (criminal, civil, traffic, etc.)
- View case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions
- Access publicly available court documents
- Track case progression through the judicial system
No registration is required for basic searches, though certain document access may require creation of a free account.
Burleigh/Morton Detention Center Inmate Lookup: The Burleigh/Morton Detention Center maintains an online roster of current inmates. This database provides:
- Names of currently incarcerated individuals
- Booking dates and charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled court appearances
- Expected release dates (when available)
This resource is updated daily and requires no registration to access.
North Dakota Department of Corrections Offender Search: The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains a searchable database of individuals currently under state supervision, including:
- Current inmates in state facilities
- Individuals on parole or probation
- Basic offense information
- Custody status and location
- Projected release dates
Users should note that this database only includes state-level offenders, not those held solely on local charges.
Limitations of Online Records: While online resources provide significant access to criminal records, certain limitations exist:
- Records prior to digital conversion (generally pre-2000) may not be available online
- Sealed or expunged records are not accessible
- Juvenile records are restricted pursuant to North Dakota Century Code § 27-20-51
- Some document types require in-person requests
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
For comprehensive criminal history reports, individuals must still submit formal requests to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation as online portals typically do not provide complete criminal history compilations.
Can You Search Burleigh County Criminal Records for Free?
Burleigh County provides several options for members of the public to access criminal records at no cost, though certain limitations and fee structures apply to specific types of requests. The availability of free access is governed by North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18, which establishes that "a public entity may charge up to twenty-five dollars for locating records if locating the records requires more than one hour."
Free In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost during regular business hours at:
Burleigh County District Court
514 E Thayer Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (701) 222-6700
Burleigh County Court
While inspection is free, visitors must:
- Present valid identification
- Complete a records request form
- Wait for staff to retrieve requested records
- Adhere to courthouse rules regarding electronic devices and photography
Free Online Resources: Several online portals provide free access to criminal record information:
- The North Dakota Courts Records portal offers free basic searches of court cases, including criminal matters in Burleigh County
- The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department website provides access to current inmate information and recent arrest logs at no cost
- The North Dakota Department of Corrections maintains a free offender lookup system for individuals under state supervision
Fee-Based Services: While basic inspection and certain online searches are free, fees apply to:
- Copies of documents ($1 per page for standard copies)
- Certified copies of court records ($10 per document)
- Record searches requiring more than one hour of staff time (up to $25 per hour)
- Complete criminal history reports from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation ($15 per request)
- Expedited processing of requests
The Bismarck Municipal Court, which handles city ordinance violations within Burleigh County's largest municipality, maintains similar fee structures for records requests.
It is important to note that while free access options exist, comprehensive criminal background checks typically require payment of established fees to cover administrative costs associated with record compilation and verification.
What's Included in a Burleigh County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Burleigh County authorities typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records are structured to provide a thorough overview of criminal proceedings from arrest through case disposition and any subsequent supervision.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Current and previous addresses
- State identification number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed by law enforcement
- Probable cause statements
- Bail or bond information
- Pre-trial detention status
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and jurisdiction
- Filing date and court division
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations and offense classifications
- Felony or misdemeanor designation
- Court appearances and hearing dates
- Defense attorney information
- Plea information
- Trial proceedings (if applicable)
Case Disposition:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Dismissal information (if applicable)
- Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment mandates
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Appeal information
Additional Elements:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- Probation or parole information
- Compliance with court-ordered conditions
- Violations of probation or supervised release
- Completion of sentence requirements
The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest records and jail information, while the Burleigh County District Court preserves court proceedings and case dispositions. These records are maintained in accordance with North Dakota Century Code § 12-60-16, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information.
It should be noted that juvenile records contain similar information but are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions and are generally not included in public criminal record searches.
How Long Does Burleigh County Keep Criminal Records?
Burleigh County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the North Dakota Records Management Division and in compliance with North Dakota Century Code § 54-46-08, which governs the preservation and disposal of government records. These retention periods vary based on the type of record, severity of offense, and final disposition of the case.
Arrest Records:
- Felony arrests: Permanently maintained
- Misdemeanor arrests: Retained for 25 years from date of arrest
- Non-conviction arrests (cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal): Maintained for 3-7 years, depending on the nature of the original charge
- Arrest photographs and fingerprints: Permanently maintained by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Court Records:
- Felony case files: Permanently maintained
- Misdemeanor case files: Retained for 10 years after case closure
- Traffic violations: Maintained for 3-7 years depending on severity
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanently maintained
- Transcripts and recordings of proceedings: Retained for 10 years after final disposition
Incarceration Records:
- Inmate files for felony offenders: Maintained for 50 years after release
- Inmate files for misdemeanor offenders: Retained for 10 years after release
- Jail booking logs: Permanently maintained
- Visitor logs and inmate mail records: Retained for 3 years
Probation and Supervision Records:
- Felony probation files: Maintained for 10 years after completion of supervision
- Misdemeanor probation files: Retained for 5 years after completion of supervision
- Pre-sentence investigation reports: Maintained for the same duration as the corresponding case file
The Burleigh/Morton Detention Center and Burleigh County District Court adhere to these retention schedules while maintaining their respective records.
It is important to note that even after the official retention period expires, information about criminal cases may persist in various databases, private background check services, and news archives. Additionally, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation maintains a permanent repository of criminal history information for law enforcement purposes.
Individuals seeking to limit the accessibility of their criminal records beyond these retention periods may, in certain circumstances, petition the court for expungement or sealing of records under North Dakota Century Code § 12-60.1, though eligibility requirements are strict and not all offenses qualify.
Lookup Criminal Records in Burleigh County
Burleigh County Sheriff's Department
Burleigh/Morton Detention Center
North Dakota Courts Records Search
Burleigh County District Court
Bismarck Municipal Court Records