Find Released Inmates in Apple Valley

Apple Valley released inmates and jail custody records are managed through the Dakota County Jail in Hastings. The Apple Valley Police Department does not run its own jail, so all arrests in the city result in transport to county custody for booking and detention. Apple Valley is a south metro suburb in Dakota County with roughly 55,000 residents, and the Dakota County Sheriff's Office handles all custody records for Apple Valley arrests.

Locating Someone Arrested in Apple Valley

All Apple Valley arrests go to the Dakota County Jail at 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The jail information line is (651) 438-4800, and the main Sheriff's Office number is (651) 438-4700. You can search for inmates online at co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/Jail/InmateSearch. This search shows current inmates and recent releases. The county also provides warrant and criminal complaint searches through the same portal. All of these resources are available any time without an account.

The Apple Valley Police Department is at 7100 147th Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124. Phone: (952) 953-2700. The department handles police reports and local records requests under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. For jail records and custody information, contact the Dakota County Sheriff's Office directly.

Apple Valley residents also have convenient access to county services at the Dakota County Western Service Center, located at 14955 Galaxie Avenue within the city. This center houses Community Corrections, Public Health, and other county departments. Community Corrections can be reached at (952) 891-7200. If you have questions about probation or post-release supervision in Apple Valley, this local center is the closest point of contact.

Dakota County Jail and Booking

The Dakota County Jail uses a direct supervision model, where Correctional Deputies work directly inside housing units with inmates around the clock. This approach is different from traditional jails with officer booths separate from the inmate population. Direct supervision means more consistent staff oversight and generally fewer incidents. The jail is a 263-bed facility serving all of Dakota County, including Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, and Lakeville.

When someone is booked from Apple Valley, they go through standard intake: search, fingerprinting, photographing, shower, jail uniform, and housing assignment. After booking, a first appearance before a judge is typically scheduled within 36 hours. At that hearing, bail is set. For some offenses, a scheduled bail allows release without seeing a judge first. If bail is not posted, the person stays at the Dakota County Jail until the next hearing or until the case is resolved.

The Dakota County departments page above shows all county services, including Community Corrections, the Sheriff's Office, and the Western Service Center in Apple Valley. The county's Adult Detention Alternatives Initiative and Adult Re-entry Assistance Program support people released from custody. Community Corrections Director Suwana Kirkland leads these programs.

VINE and Notification for Apple Valley Cases

If you want to be notified when someone held at the Dakota County Jail is released or has a custody change, use VINE. VINE is free and available at vinelink.com or by calling 877-664-8463. Register once and VINE will contact you by phone, text, or email when the inmate's status changes. This covers releases, transfers, and other custody events. VINE runs around the clock without interruption, so you do not need to keep calling the jail to check.

For people who move from county custody to state prison after sentencing, Minnesota Haven is the service for notification. Minnesota Haven is operated by the DOC Victim Assistance Program. Call 1-800-657-3830 or email victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us to sign up. Haven provides 60-day advance release notices, custody change alerts, and immediate notification if a DOC inmate escapes. If you are unsure which system someone is in, call the jail at (651) 438-4800 first, then call the DOC at (651) 361-7330 if they are not in county custody.

Court Records and the First Judicial District

Apple Valley criminal cases are handled in the Dakota County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's First Judicial District. Court records are available for free through Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Search by name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, case status, and available documents. Records from July 1, 2015 forward are generally online. Documents before that date may require contacting the court administrator directly.

The Dakota County Law Library, located at the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley at (952) 891-7135, offers legal resources to residents. This is a useful resource for people dealing with criminal matters who need to understand legal procedures, look up statutes, or find forms. The law library provides public access to legal databases and reference materials, and staff can help point you to relevant resources, though they cannot give legal advice.

For data requests related to the County Attorney's Office, email attorney@co.dakota.mn.us. For general county data, use data.practices@co.dakota.mn.us. For jail and detention records, email dcjailadmin@co.dakota.mn.us. Dakota County has maintained annual crime statistics dating back to 2004, published through the County Attorney's Office. These statistics are available online and show county-level trends across all municipalities including Apple Valley.

Predatory Offender Registry and Apple Valley

Some people convicted in Apple Valley cases must register as predatory offenders under Minnesota Statutes Section 243.166. This registration is required for at least ten years and can extend to a lifetime requirement for the most serious offenses. When a registered offender moves to Apple Valley, they must report their address to the Apple Valley Police Department. The department maintains records of registered offenders within the city limits.

The public registry covers Level III offenders, who are those assigned the highest risk level under Minnesota Statutes Section 244.052. You can search for registered Level III offenders at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicRegistrantSearch/. Results include the person's name, address, photograph, offense, and risk level. For questions about the registry or about a specific registrant, contact the DOC Community Notification Unit at (651) 361-7340 or toll-free (866) 396-9953, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Arrest Records and Background Checks

Basic arrest data from Apple Valley is public under Minnesota Statutes Section 13.82. The statute makes public the name of the arrested person, the date and time of the arrest, the charges, and the arresting agency. Request this information from Apple Valley Police at (952) 953-2700 or from the Dakota County Sheriff's Office at (651) 438-4700. Include the person's name and approximate date of the incident to help locate the records. For jail records, email dcjailadmin@co.dakota.mn.us.

For a full statewide criminal history, contact the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The BCA covers convictions from all Minnesota counties and handles formal background check requests. Learn more at dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca. Background checks through the BCA require identity verification and may involve a fee. These are commonly used for employment, housing, and professional licensing. Apple Valley residents dealing with post-release matters can also contact Dakota County Community Corrections at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley at (952) 891-7200.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Apple Valley. Each uses the county jail system for custody records.