Davison County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Davison County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Davison County may access publicly available information through official government channels, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as DavisonRecords.us. Davison County criminal records may include arrest logs, court case filings, conviction histories, sentencing details, and other documentation generated through the criminal justice process. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing disclosure.
Records that may be accessible through official sources include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction histories
- Warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Jail and inmate records
- Probation and parole documentation (where publicly disclosed)
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.
1. County Court Records
The Davison County Circuit Court, part of the First Judicial Circuit of South Dakota, maintains criminal case files for matters filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect court 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, if known, a case number. Public access terminals are available on-site for self-service searches.
Davison County Clerk of Courts
200 E. 4th Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: (605) 995-8165
South Dakota Unified Judicial System
2. Sheriff's Office
The Davison County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records. The Sheriff's Office does not maintain court disposition records; those are held by the Clerk of Courts.
Davison County Sheriff's Office
100 E. 4th Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: (605) 995-8620
Davison County, South Dakota
3. Online Court Search
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides an online case search portal that allows members of the public to search criminal court records by name, case number, or filing date. Users should enter the subject's full legal name and refine results by county. Note that not all historical records are digitized, and sealed or expunged cases will not appear in online results.
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 cases fingerprint cards. Processing times vary.
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
1302 E. Hwy 14, Suite 5
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3331
South Dakota Attorney General – DCI
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted by mail to the Davison County Clerk of Courts or the Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1, public bodies are required to respond to records requests within a reasonable timeframe.
What Is Davison County Criminal Record
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In South Dakota, criminal records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the justice process, beginning at the point of arrest and continuing through final disposition.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody; it does not indicate guilt or conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or trial verdict. Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration, while misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses. Juvenile records are treated separately under South Dakota law and are sealed from public access in most circumstances.
Active warrants represent outstanding orders for an individual's arrest and are distinct from historical records of past cases. Warrant information may be available through the Sheriff's Office or court system.
The agencies that maintain criminal records in Davison County include:
- Davison County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, booking records, jail records
- Davison County Circuit Court – case filings, court records, dispositions, sentencing orders
- South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation – statewide criminal history repository
- Mitchell Police Department – local arrest and incident records
Records are created when law enforcement initiates an arrest, updated as charges are filed and proceedings advance, and finalized upon disposition. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignment details, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole conditions. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System serves as the primary repository for court-generated criminal records at the state level.
Are Criminal Records Public In Davison County
Criminal records in Davison County are public records under South Dakota law. South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1 establishes the general right of public access to government records, providing that "all records of public bodies and public officials of this state are public records." Court records, arrest logs, and conviction histories maintained by county and state agencies are subject to this provision.
Adult conviction records and court proceedings are accessible to the public. This includes case filings, hearing records, sentencing documents, and appellate records. As the South Dakota Attorney General's office has noted, "the public has a right to know about the operations of its government," a principle that extends to the administration of criminal justice.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure. These include:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to South Dakota Codified Laws § 26-7A-36
- Records of cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections, including those governed by the Privacy Act of 1974
Pardoned convictions may remain in the public record unless a separate sealing or expungement order is issued. Federal criminal records are maintained separately by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and are governed by federal law, not South Dakota's open records statutes.
How To Find Criminal Records in Davison County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Davison County court records is the South Dakota Unified Judicial System case search portal. This tool allows users to search by full name, case number, or filing date. The portal contains criminal case filings, hearing schedules, and disposition records for cases processed through the circuit court system. Registration is not required for basic public searches. The Davison County government website provides additional access points for county-level information, including Sheriff's Office contacts and inmate roster inquiries.
State-Level Resources
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System operates a statewide court records portal covering all circuit courts, including the First Judicial Circuit, which serves Davison County. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation provides formal background check services through its online request system for employment and licensing purposes. The South Dakota Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable and contains registration information for individuals required to register under state law.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types
- Be aware that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in any public online database
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the mid-1990s are not fully digitized and may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Davison County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: South Dakota law mandates that public records be available for inspection at no charge. Under § 1-27-1, members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours without payment. Copying fees apply to reproductions. In-person inspection is available at the Davison County Clerk of Courts and the Sheriff's Office.
2. Free Online Databases: The South Dakota Unified Judicial System's case search portal is available at no cost for public searches. The South Dakota Sex Offender Registry is freely accessible online. The Davison County Sheriff's Office may provide access to current inmate and booking information at no charge.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Davison County Sheriff's Office at no cost, subject to any applicable exemptions.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $2.00 per page (standard SD court fee) |
| Official state background check (DCI) | $15.00 per request |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $43.25 (state + FBI fee) |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
Fees are subject to change and should be confirmed directly with the issuing agency prior to submission of a request. South Dakota law does not currently provide a statutory fee waiver for indigent requestors in the context of general public records requests, though courts may waive fees in specific legal proceedings.
What's Included in a Davison County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record may include 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 document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable via the South Dakota Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under § 26-7A-36)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records where sealing has been ordered
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the originating agency. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation provides a formal challenge process for inaccuracies in the state criminal history repository.
How Long Does Davison County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
South Dakota's records retention schedules govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county and state agencies. The South Dakota State Archives and the Government Records and Publications Program establish retention requirements applicable to court and law enforcement records.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the circuit court and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; state repository retention follows DCI policy
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; may be subject to expungement petition
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records to reflect the full disposition, including the dismissal or acquittal
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by § 26-7A-36
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County Circuit Court: Permanent retention for criminal case files per state court rules
- Sheriff's Office/Jail: Booking and arrest records retained per county retention schedule, which may range from 5 to 10 years for non-conviction records
- State DCI Repository: Permanent retention for conviction records; the South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains electronic records indefinitely
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, but the electronic record persists in the system.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under limited circumstances in South Dakota, removes the record from public access and may result in its destruction, though law enforcement agencies may retain access. Individuals seeking expungement must petition the circuit court and demonstrate eligibility under applicable statute.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for certain non-conviction records, though convictions may be reported without time limitation. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of age. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.