Criminal records in Ward County, North Dakota, are public documents that record arrests, charges, court decisions, and sentences. WardCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. In addition to this resource, records are available through the official state court system portal, county law enforcement agencies, and the district court clerk's office in Minot. Each of these channels provides different levels of detail — from basic case information to certified copies of court documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Ward
To start a search, you will need at least one identifier: the defendant's full name, case number, citation number, or date of birth. The more accurate the data you enter, the faster you will narrow down the results.
Online Search
- Visit WardCourt.us — enter the name or case number to view publicly available information about Ward County criminal cases.
- Use the ND Court Records portal. Select "Northwest District" → "Ward County," then case type "CriminalTraffic." Searches can be conducted by defendant's name, case number, citation number, or attorney. Detailed criminal case search instructions explain each filtering parameter.
- To check individuals currently in state correctional facilities, use the Resident Lookup of the Department of Corrections.
- The North Dakota Sex Offender Registry allows you to search for registered offenders by name or residential area.
In-Person Visit
The Ward County District Court Clerk's Office welcomes visitors who wish to view case materials or order copies. Public access terminals are located directly in the courthouse.
Written Request
Send a written request to the clerk's office, specifying the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. According to N.D.C.C. § 44-04-18, everyone has the right to access public records, regardless of residence. General rules for submitting requests are described on the Attorney General's page.
Search Ward Criminal Cases by Case Number
Criminal case numbers in North Dakota have a standard format consisting of several parts:
- County Code — a two-digit number identifying the county (Ward County has its own code in the system).
- Filing Year — four digits, e.g., 2025.
- Case Type Code — letter designation: "CR" for criminal cases, "TR" for traffic violations.
- Sequential Number — a numerical sequence assigned to each new case within the year.
A typical number looks like this: 51-2025-CR-00123. If you only know part of the number, the portal allows searching by cross-reference case number or citation number. The exact case number returns a single result — this is the fastest way to find the desired record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Ward
Each criminal case on the portal contains several key blocks of information. Below is an explanation of the main elements.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the N.D.C.C. under which the charges are filed |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charge | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — the new one is displayed as a separate line |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration.
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, a hearing is scheduled.
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision.
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, the case is closed.
Hearings
Types of court hearings you will see in a case:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-Trial — procedural meeting before the main trial.
- Sentencing — announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review — a control hearing, usually to check compliance with probation conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted based on the review |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Withheld Judgment | The court postponed the verdict — usually under certain conditions |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal by the court or jury |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Ward
Certified copies are officially authenticated documents with a court seal. They are accepted by employers, licensing bodies, and other courts as legally significant.
Where to Apply
The main body is the district court clerk's office (Clerk of District Court, Ward County). To obtain a statewide criminal history, the request is submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the North Dakota Attorney General's office.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In-Person — visit the court clerk's office during business hours (8:00am–4:30pm). Bring a photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request to: P.O. Box 5005, Minot, ND 58702-5005. Include the full name of the person, case number (if known), contact information for response, and a check or money order for the appropriate fees.
- Online — some documents can be ordered through the District Court Case Search system, which also processes payments.
What to Prepare
- Photo ID (driver's license, passport) — for in-person requests.
- Full name of the person whose records are being requested.
- Case number or date of birth for accurate identification.
- Payment of fees (cash, check, or money order — depending on the submission method).
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Ward
Fees are regulated by North Dakota law. Below are approximate amounts applicable to state district courts.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Document Copy (per page) | $0.25 | Standard rate for non-certified copies |
| Document Certification | $10.00 | For each certified document with a court seal |
| Record Search (per name) | $25.00 | Fee for criminal history check through BCI |
| Fingerprint-Based Check | Varies | Additional federal FBI fees may apply |
Processing Time
- In-person requests are usually processed the same business day or the next.
- Mail requests — from 5 to 10 business days, depending on volume and complexity.
- Criminal history check through BCI may take 1 to 4 weeks.
For current rates, call the court clerk's office at (701) 857-6600. Fees may change according to state law updates.