Criminal records in Cass County, North Dakota, can be accessed through several channels. CassNDCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the North Dakota court system's online portal, the Cass County Clerk of Court's office, and law enforcement agencies such as the Cass County Sheriff's Department. The type of record and the level of detail available will depend on which source you use and whether the record is restricted.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cass County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Cass County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- CassNDCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Cass County.
- North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry — The state court system's public search portal. Select Cass County or the East Central Judicial District to search criminal, traffic, and civil case records. You can search by defendant name, case number, citation number, attorney, or date filed.
- District Court Case Search — This portal provides access to North Dakota District Court case information. Note that restricted case information is excluded from search results.
- ND DOCR Resident Lookup — To check whether someone is currently incarcerated in a North Dakota state correctional facility.
- Cass County Jail inquiry — Contact the Cass County Jail to find out if someone is currently in custody.
In Person
Visit the Cass County Clerk of Court office on the second floor of the Cass County Courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. Bring the defendant's full name and, if possible, a date of birth or case number.
Cass County Clerk of Court
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Cass County Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. Include payment for any applicable copy or certification fees.
- Statewide criminal history record check: Submit a request to the North Dakota Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Payment must be by check or money order payable to "ND Attorney General." Details are available on the Attorney General's criminal history request page.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last, middle if known)
- Date of birth (recommended for narrowing results)
- Case number or citation number (if available)
- Date range for filing (optional but helpful)
Search Cass County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, this is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. North Dakota uses a standardized case number format across its district courts.
A typical case number looks like this: 09-2024-CR-00123
- 09 — The county code. Cass County is assigned county code 09.
- 2024 — The year the case was filed.
- CR — The case type. "CR" stands for criminal. Other codes include "TR" for traffic and "CV" for civil.
- 00123 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk's office.
Enter the full case number in the criminal case search tool on the North Dakota Courts website. The system will return the case record directly, bypassing the need to filter by name or date.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cass County
When you pull up a criminal case record, you'll see several categories of information. Here's what each one means.
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The North Dakota Century Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., N.D.C.C. § 12.1-22-02 for theft) |
| Severity | Felony (classes AA, A, B, C), misdemeanor (classes A, B), or infraction |
| Original charge | The charge initially filed by the prosecutor |
| Amended charge | A modified charge, often the result of a plea agreement — may be a lesser offense |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved.
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled.
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed: All court obligations, including sentencing conditions, have been satisfied.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant's first court appearance, where charges are read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary hearing: Used in felony cases to determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed.
- Pre-trial conference: A meeting between attorneys and the judge to discuss motions, evidence, and possible resolution.
- Sentencing: Where the judge imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing: A follow-up to check compliance with probation or other court-ordered conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charge was dropped by the court or prosecutor |
| Withheld judgment | The court defers entering a conviction, typically with conditions; successful completion may result in dismissal |
| Acquitted | The defendant was found not guilty after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cass County
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. Uncertified copies are available for general informational use.
From the Clerk of Court
The Cass County Clerk of Court handles requests for certified and uncertified copies of court records, including criminal case documents.
How to request:
- In person: Visit the Clerk's office on the second floor of the Cass County Courthouse during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk's office. Include the case number or defendant name, specify which documents you need, and enclose payment.
From the State Criminal History Repository
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history report, submit a request to the North Dakota Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. A criminal history record check request requires:
- A completed request form
- The subject's full name and date of birth
- Payment by check or money order payable to "ND Attorney General"
- A valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
Fingerprint-based background checks for certain employment or licensing purposes are coordinated through ND Health and Human Services, which operates fingerprinting locations throughout the state.
Expungement Records
If a criminal record has been expunged, it will generally not appear in public searches. Information about the expungement process in North Dakota is available through the ND Courts expungement guide.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cass County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document | $5.00 per document | Standard fee set by N.D.C.C. § 11-17-04; per-page fees may also apply |
| Certified copy of court document | $10.00 per document | Includes court seal and clerk certification |
| Criminal history record check (AG's office) | $25.00 | Payable by check or money order to "ND Attorney General"; no cash accepted |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Varies | Contact ND HHS or the relevant licensing agency for current fees |
Processing Times
- Online court record searches: Immediate results for records available in the system.
- In-person requests at the Clerk's office: Often processed the same day, depending on complexity.
- Mail requests to the Clerk's office: Typically 5–10 business days after receipt.
- Statewide criminal history checks (AG's office): Allow several business days for processing; mail requests may take longer.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Cass County Clerk of Court at (701) 451-6900 or the North Dakota Court System website before submitting payment.