>Brown County Arrest Records Online

Brown County, South Dakota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Brown County, South Dakota?

Arrest records in Brown County, South Dakota are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to South Dakota's Public Records Law (SDCL § 1-27). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains these records as part of its commitment to transparency in the judicial process. Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes, including:

Ensuring governmental accountability
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting journalistic reporting on law enforcement activities
Enabling citizens to make informed decisions regarding public safety

The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of local arrest records, while the South Dakota Unified Judicial System oversees court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Under SDCL § 1-27-1.5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and information pertaining to ongoing investigations where disclosure might impede law enforcement efforts.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Brown County?

Brown County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides digital access to court records through its Public Access Record Search portal. This system allows members of the public to search for arrest and court records using various identifiers such as name, case number, or date of arrest.

Online accessibility is governed by SDCL § 1-27-1.10, which authorizes government agencies to provide records in electronic format. The statute specifies that:

Records must be provided in the format requested if reasonably possible
Agencies may charge reasonable fees for electronic access
Electronic records must maintain the same content as their physical counterparts

Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices. The Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Brown County, maintains additional electronic records that may be accessed through terminals at the courthouse located at:

Brown County Courthouse
25 Market Street
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-626-7100
Official Website

How to Look Up Brown County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Brown County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by SDCL § 1-27-1. These methods include:

Online Database Searches: The South Dakota Court Records system provides electronic access to arrest and court records. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers. Fees may apply for certain detailed reports.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Brown County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Courts to request physical copies of arrest records. Proper identification is required, and standard copying fees apply.

Brown County Sheriff's Office
22 Court Street
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-626-7100
Brown County Sheriff

Brown County Clerk of Courts
25 Market Street, Suite 1
Aberdeen, SD 57401
605-626-2500
Fifth Judicial Circuit

Written Requests: Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-37, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records. These requests must include sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, and agencies must respond within ten business days.
Third-Party Background Check Services: Commercial services may provide arrest record information, though these sources may not always contain complete or current data. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety recommends verifying third-party information through official channels.

Contents of a Brown County Arrest Record

Brown County arrest records contain standardized information as required by SDCL § 23-5-1 and related statutes. These official documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks, and other characteristics
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Residential address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond information
Court docket numbers for associated cases

The Brown County Jail maintains booking records that include additional information regarding the individual's custody status. These records may include medical screening information, property inventories, and visitor logs, though access to such supplementary information may be restricted under privacy provisions of SDCL § 1-27-1.5.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Brown County

South Dakota law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to SDCL § 23A-3-27, individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal
The individual has completed a court-approved diversion program
The statutory waiting period has elapsed following completion of sentence for certain offenses

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court that has jurisdiction over the case. Upon approval, expungement effectively seals the record from public view, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that SDCL § 23A-3-32 establishes different waiting periods based on offense severity:

Class 2 misdemeanors: 5 years after completion of sentence
Class 1 misdemeanors: 10 years after completion of sentence
Non-violent felonies: Varies by offense classification

The Brown County Register of Deeds maintains records of expungement orders, though these orders themselves are not public records. Individuals with expunged records may legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain professional licensing applications and law enforcement inquiries.

Search Arrest Records in Brown County

Cities

Aberdeen