Criminal records in Brookings County, South Dakota, can be accessed through several channels. BrookingsCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. Beyond that, the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's online portals, the Brookings County Clerk of Court's office, and law enforcement agencies each offer ways to look up case details, check court dates, and request official documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Brookings County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Brookings County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- BrookingsCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Brookings County.
- Public Access Record Search (PARS) — The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides this statewide portal for searching court cases by party name, case number, or attorney. It covers cases from 1989 forward.
- eCourts — Another UJS portal that offers public case information. Note that document viewing and purchasing are not available through this system.
- UJS Find Court Date — Use this tool to quickly look up upcoming court appearances for criminal, civil, and family cases.
- South Dakota SAVIN Offender Search — Search by offender name to check custody status and register for victim notification alerts.
In Person
Visit the Brookings County Clerk of Court office to search records at the courthouse. You can request access to case files or ask staff for assistance locating specific records. Public access terminals may be available for on-site searches.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Brookings County Clerk of Court. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). For cases filed before 1989, records must be requested directly from the clerk's office since they are not available in the online system.
For statewide criminal history background checks, contact the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, which maintains the state criminal history repository.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed
Search Brookings County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. South Dakota uses a standardized case number format across its Unified Judicial System. A typical case number follows this pattern:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county (Brookings County is assigned its own code)
- Case type prefix — Letters indicating the type of case (e.g., "CRI" for criminal, "CRN" for certain criminal classifications)
- Year filed — A two-digit year
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned as cases are filed
For example, a case number might look like: 08CRI24-000123. Enter the full case number into the PARS portal for the fastest results. Partial case numbers may return multiple matches, so use the complete number when possible.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Brookings County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The South Dakota Codified Law section the defendant is charged under (e.g., SDCL 22-22-1) |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Misdemeanor (Class 1 or 2), or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecution during the case — the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
| Multiple Counts | Each count is listed separately with its own statute reference and severity level |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final decision has been reached
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled and the case is complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary Hearing — For felony cases; the court determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed
- Pre-Trial Conference — A meeting to discuss plea negotiations, motions, and trial readiness
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted of the charge
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or the court
- Suspended Imposition of Sentence — Sentence is deferred; successful completion may result in the charge not appearing as a conviction
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Brookings County
Certified copies of criminal court records are handled by the Brookings County Clerk of Court. These are official documents bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the Brookings County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number, the specific documents you need, and a return address. Include payment for applicable fees.
- Through the state portal — You can submit a public records request through SD.gov for certain state-held records.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Written requests should include enough identifying information to locate the correct case
Contact Information
Brookings County Clerk of Court
For additional contact details and court information, visit the UJS Brookings County page. Brookings County is part of the Third Judicial Circuit.
For statewide criminal history records (as opposed to court case records), submit a request to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation through the Department of Public Safety. These checks typically require fingerprint submission.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Brookings County
Fees for court record copies in South Dakota are established by state statute and court administrative rules. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 | Standard per-page rate under South Dakota law |
| Certified copy | $2.00 per document plus per-page copy fees | Includes court seal and clerk certification |
| State criminal history check (DCI) | $25.00 | Fingerprint-based; submitted through Department of Public Safety |
| Name-based background check | Varies | Contact DCI or the clerk's office for current pricing |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after receipt, though older or archived records may take longer
- State criminal history checks — Usually 5–15 business days depending on the type of check and submission method
Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office may include cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before visiting or mailing a request. Fees are subject to change — verify current rates with the South Dakota court records access page or by calling the clerk's office directly.