Dakota County Jail – Hastings, MN

Dakota County Jail is in Dakota County, Minnesota and is the jail for this county. Know someone locked up at Dakota County Jail? This page tells you all about everything you might need to know about Dakota County Jail: Find out who’s in jail at Dakota County Jail? Find mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. Posting bail. Booking and intake procedures. Court information. And lots more.

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a daunting and scary idea, not only for whoever gets arrested, but also their friends and family. The goal of this guide is to offer information and advice that you’ll need to make helping someone get out of jail less stressful. If you have questions, just ask it, and also any comments or tips that could help other people in the same situation will be welcome.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that has gone to jail and want to find out where they are?

Do you know a family member or friend that has been arrested and you want to find out where they are?

In order to see who is in jail at Dakota County Jail you will have to go to their link and do an inmate lookup.

The Dakota County Jail Inmate Lookup has information on persons currently in custody, including current status, bail amount (if applicable), and visiting hours. Also, you can get information about anybody arrested and processed or released within the last 24 hours. Jail inmates are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You can get the information quicker if you enter their name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If the inmate you are looking for is in another jail you can check our guide to other Minnesota jails: Minnesota County Jails Directory

A mugshot, also called a jail processing photograph, is a picture that the jail takes during jail intake processing. They take one frontal photo and a side picture. Your full name and booking number will appear on the pictures, and they’re kept on file at the jail.

Mugshots are on the Dakota County Jail website, or you can go in person to the Dakota County Jail. When you search for mugshots online you have to put in the name, and an arrest date.

Trying to figure out how to have your mugshot removed from the Dakota County Jail site? This can be tricky, as the mugshot is a matter of public record. You will need to file a Petition to Expunge with the court. This means that all of your arrest records will be sealed, and unavailable to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

For a more in-depth article about removing your mugshot, the many different mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Once you’re arrested and put in jail, your only thought is about when and how you will get out. After booking, your bail is determined by the magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this can mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released you must promise to be in court on your court date, and until that day you will not be permitted to leave town.

Typically, prisoners can earn time off for good behavior when they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while they are in jail.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be granted work release. You will have to stay jail every day when you’re finished with work, or you could be allowed to move to a halfway house instead of the jail.

Your bail is money that you are required to pay in order to be released from jail until your trial. The amount you will be required to pay is dictated by how serious your charges are. You will need to post ten percent of the total set before you can be released. If you miss your court date, the person that bailed you out of jail won’t get the bail money back.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you will have to call the Dakota County Jail. If know the pertinent information, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know how much their bail is. Also, you can check their bail amount and status on the Dakota County Jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is never a fun thing, but fortunately, it is very simple to do. First, you need to know if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only”. If so, you can’t use the services of a Bail Bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – the jail will not take a check. Once you have paid the bond, the prisoner will be released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get the bail money back.

If bail is set too high, or you just don’t have the money, you should try a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount, and in most cases with a minimum fee of $100. This money is non-refundable and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If the bail has been set really high, the bail bondsman might require that they use your assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

To talk to a bail bondsman click here: Find a bail bondsman

Have you ever hired a Bail Bondsman because you or someone you know got arrested? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out for you.

Click here to share your story

• Time Off For Good Behavior
• Get Out on Work Release
• Get Out For Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Get Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The jail intake process takes you through the following steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. When the jail is busy, you may not be processed immediately.
• The first thing you will have to is you have to answer a number of questions, like your legal name, home address, date of birth and contact person.
• You will also be asked about your medical and mental history.
• You’ll be given an inmate ID number.
• Your fingerprints will be taken.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will get taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• You will then be allowed to use the phone to talk to a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might get to wear your own clothes, otherwise you will be given a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through the jail intake procedure? If you have, you should share your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? Were you treated fairly? Can you share any tips that will help others get through the process?

Speak Your Mind

When you finally post bail, you will be allowed to leave jail. Getting discharged may take anywhere from 15 minutes to all day long. Or, simply, the faster bail is posted, the sooner you will get out of jail. Also, how fast you get released will depend on if you have a cash bond or if a judge has to figure out how much to set your bail at. For lesser charges, you will be booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you have served out your jail sentence and know the date of your release, plan to get discharged anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

If you have a, or if you need to begin your jail sentence, you really should do the right thing and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, go down to the jail intake center, and let them know that believe that there could be a warrant out for your arrest. They will do a check to find out if there is an arrest warrant for you, and if you do, they will take you into custody. If it is for a jail sentence, go down to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be sure that you don’t show up late. Just bring things that are allowed when you go, such as a driver’s license or state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, and the sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates need to provide each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail in advance of the visit. Your visitors will be put in a Visiting log as an authorized visitor. Each visitor must provide proof of identification. Visitors showing up late or that is not on the visitation list will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Dakota County Jail visitation procedures change often, so it would be wise to review the official Dakota County Jail jail site before you try to go to visitation.

All phone calls from jail are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Calls made in jail are a lot pricier than phone calls made outside of jail. There is no limit to when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but you should keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the rules, phone privileges could be reduced or totally denied.

The Dakota County Jail phone number is: 651-438-4800

All mall sent to inmates has to be sent using the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You shouldn’t use any other form of mail or package delivery. You should write or type the prisoner’s name, inmate ID, and the jail address on the letter that you send. Don’t mail a package, padded envelope, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with metal in it. All mail that you send to inmates will be opened and read and inspected by the officers at the jail, and the mail will be returned to the sender if it can’t be delivered.

Use this address when sending a letter to someone incarcerated at Dakota County Jail:

Dakota County Jail
1580 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Dakota County Jail
1580 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033

The mail policy changes, so we suggest that you double check the official Dakota County Jail site when you send a letter.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you have particular rights, one of these being that you have the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so you would be wise to get a friend or family member to find an attorney when you call. You may be asking yourself ‘but do I really need a lawyer’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a criminal defense lawyer can advise you of your rights, protect your interests and guide you through the legal system that you are now faced with. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your case, the better off you’ll be.

For more info on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, go to: How to Find a Lawyer

If you can’t afford an attorney, you will be assigned a public defender. The Public Defender has a number of staff such as private investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are actual lawyers that are members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you or someone you know had to use a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

Court records are public record and are available upon request to anyone who requests them – not just the person who they pertain to. They include a court case file with a docket sheet and all documents that have been filed in your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case using the Dakota County website, or at the Clerk’s office of the Court.

A Clerk of Court is an official part of the court who manages the records. They also administer the oath for anyone testifying in court, and also read the jury’s verdict. All records, documents, and evidence from your case are available at Clerk of Court’s office.

Court fees are all costs associated with your case, for example filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you cannot afford these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you will not be responsible for these fees.

The magistrate is the type of judge who presides on your case. Magistrate judges do many different things, which include determining how much your bail will be, writing arrest warrants, and presiding over preliminary and procedural court proceedings and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is prepared with information about your background and as much detail about the defendant’s life and history, which the magistrate will consider when decide your sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be gathered from the defendant, the defendant’s family, and in some circumstances the victim. Be sure to remember that you can request to receive a copy of this report before you are sentenced, so you get the chance to go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

When you are convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. There are a number of different options, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on how serious your crime was, you will either be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could get a date that you must report to jail to serve your sentence.

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Are you trying to find out if someone is incarcerated, or has gone to jail in the past?

This is pretty simple to do, just you should access the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

• Name.
• Date of birth.
• Their approximate booking date.
• or inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you can call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can check arrest warrants inquiry on the Dakota County jail website or you can call the jail. You have to have the person’s first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and inquire at the information desk. You should be clear that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the jail, by phone, in person, or check online. An arrest is a matter of public record and this is accessible by the public.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, such as a court order. You can find these by going to the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All registered sex offenders are required to be registered and listed on either a national or state sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to view these offenders online, but you should know that you will not be able to find the actual address, but only the address block that they live on.

Court Records are public records. Court Records include a case file containing a docket and any filings and documents filed in your court case. You are able to access your court records on the website, or at the Dakota County Clerk of Court office in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Each state keeps a record of their state citizen’s criminal history. These databases are all connected so you are able to track criminal backgrounds from any other state. You are able to go to county courthouse and make an inquiry, or check online. It is helpful to know the county, and if it was in a completely different state, you might have to pay for a more complete search.

A criminal records search you can find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for any of the following crimes:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug Possession of Drug Trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Rape or other sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

During a criminal records search, usually will not discover if that person has had any:

• Speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for driving records, you have to do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever had to search for criminal records of someone you know? Was it easy? Did you do your search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Did you get information that was correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal records, and your story might help other people that are in the same situation.

Tell Your Story

Most Wanted

On a Federal level, the FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Dakota County, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Department maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of getting locked up in Dakota County Jail is something you wish you could avoid, in time you will get used to the routine that is set for you in jail. All inmates get an alarm to wake up every morning at 6:00 AM, and then roll call. Then you will get breakfast. When you finish breakfast participate in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Dakota County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Dakota County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The procedure to send funds to people in jail can change, so we suggest that you check the official website when you send money to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Dakota County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Dakota County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Dakota County Jail

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been incarcerated in this jail? Do you have a friend or family member there? Have you ever visited someone at this jail?

If you have, then we would like you to tell us about it. Write about your experience because others can learn what to expect.

Things you might want to put in your review:

• Conditions in Dakota County Jail.
• Jail, yard and pod facility and layout
• Guards and staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Having Visitors
• The other inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gang activity
• Programs and activities


Click here to review Dakota County Jail

Tell Your Story

Everbody that’s been incarcerated has some stories to tell about the whole experience. Why’d you get arrested? How did the guards treat you? What happened to you while you were locked up? Were the other inmates cool? How has this experience impacted your life?

Tell the World All About It

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Trying to talk to someone you met in jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to people still locked up at Dakota County Jail


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