How to Search the Clearwater County Jail Roster
The search tool above supports partial name matches, full legal names, and booking numbers assigned at intake. Each record displays the full legal name, booking date and time, and charge list with Minnesota statute citations.
Searching Native American and Hyphenated Names
Clearwater County's population includes a significant Native American community. Booking entries may record hyphenated surnames, anglicized names, or tribal enrollment names differently than informal usage. If an initial search returns no results, try the first name alone or the last known surname without a hyphen.
Red Lake Nation Jurisdictional Note
A portion of Clearwater County's boundaries includes the Red Lake Nation Reservation, a sovereign jurisdiction where Minnesota state court and law enforcement authority does not apply. Individuals detained by tribal law enforcement, including the Red Lake Police or White Earth Law Enforcement, will not appear on this roster.
60-Day Record Sealing Delay
Under Minnesota's Criminal History System, arrest records for charges that were dismissed or did not result in conviction may be sealed up to 60 days after case closure. Under the Clean Slate Act, once sealed, records are removed from public view automatically, which can explain why a name disappears mid-search cycle.
Case-Level and State-Custody Lookup Tools
For case-level detail including hearing dates and charge dispositions, use Minnesota Court Records Online. For individuals transferred to state custody, the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator provides statewide tracking.
How to Post Bail in Clearwater County, MN
Posting bail in Clearwater County requires visiting the Bagley Courthouse at 213 Main Avenue North. Options include cash bail, a surety bond through a licensed agent, or conditional release ordered by the Ninth Judicial District Court. Courthouse business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For after-hours situations, a licensed Minnesota bondsman can initiate the release process directly with jail staff at any hour.
Following an arrest, the defendant is brought before a Ninth Judicial District judge for a first appearance or bail hearing. The judge weighs the severity of the charges, prior criminal history, history of court appearances, community ties, and risk to the victim or public before setting a bail amount and conditions of release. The bail amount appears on the roster as soon as the court order is entered, typically within hours of the hearing.
Cash Bail
Cash bail requires the full amount in cash or certified check, payable at the Clearwater County Courthouse during business hours or at the Sheriff's Office after hours. If the defendant satisfies all court conditions, the money is returned at case close.
Surety Bond
A surety bond requires engaging a licensed bondsman, who posts the bond for a non-refundable premium that is typically 10 percent of the total bail amount. Judges also frequently attach non-monetary conditions such as no-contact orders, travel restrictions, or mandatory drug testing through Minnesota DOC Field Services. Violations can result in immediate re-arrest and forfeiture of posted bail.
Public Defense and Tribal-Member Representation
For those who cannot afford a private attorney or a bail bond premium, Minnesota's public defense system is available. Clearwater County also provides specialized legal services for federally enrolled tribal members through the Regional Native Public Defense Corporation.
Clearwater County Jail Visitation Hours and Rules
Visitation is a privilege, not a right, and is subject to termination by the jailer at any time. All visits, whether in person or through remote video, must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by calling (218) 694-6226 or through the facility's online portal.
Current visitation schedule
| Day |
Hours |
Session Limit |
| Tuesday |
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
20 minutes |
| Friday |
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
20 minutes |
| Saturday |
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM |
20 minutes |
Visitor Requirements
All adult visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, and must appear on the inmate's pre-approved visitor list before arrival. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Each inmate is allowed a maximum of four visits per week.
Dress Code
Prohibited attire includes transparent or revealing clothing, apparel bearing gang-related symbols or offensive imagery, and any item that obscures the face from security cameras, including hats and sunglasses. Cell phones, tablets, and all electronic devices must remain in the vehicle or in lobby lockers.
Remote Video Visitation
Remote video visitation is available through the CIDNET platform and Reliance Telephone and can be initiated from any device with a camera and reliable internet connection. Remote sessions follow the same 20-minute limit, require 24-hour advance scheduling, and are recorded and subject to review by jail staff.
Inmate Phone, Texting, and Mail at Clearwater County Jail
All inmate voice, video, and text communication at the Clearwater County Jail is managed exclusively by Reliance Telephone. The system is built around a centralized Inmate Wallet, a digital account tied to the inmate's assigned tablet that replaces traditional calling cards and shared landline systems.
Setting Up a Reliance Telephone Account
Create an account at reliancetelephone.com or call (888) 773-6408 and select Clearwater County, Minnesota, as the target facility.
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Locate the inmate by full legal name or Minnesota DOC ID number to link the account to the assigned device.
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Choose a wallet type. The All Options wallet covers voice, video, texting, games, and music. The Voice and Video Only wallet is deposit-fee free and limited to direct communication, with balances that are typically refundable upon release.
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Use Prepaid Collect Calls if you want to fund a specific outside phone number instead of a full inmate wallet.
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Fund the account by credit or debit card. The standard intrastate call rate is approximately $0.21 per minute.
For parties who prefer not to set up a full account, outside callers can leave messages at the Reliance inmate voicemail line at (218) 214-7070. Video call access and certain messaging tiers may require uploading a government-issued ID photo through the Reliance platform to satisfy facility security protocols.
Sending Money for Commissary Through TurnKey Corrections and Inmate Canteen
Commissary deposits for Clearwater County inmates can be made online through Inmate Canteen or in person through the TurnKey kiosk located in the Clearwater County Jail lobby.
Under Minnesota Rule 2911.2300, commissary profits must be deposited into an Inmate Welfare Fund used exclusively for the benefit of the inmate population, including library resources, recreation equipment, and law-library access. The 2025 biennial inspection reported Clearwater County in compliance with that standard.
Electronic messaging through CIDNET provides a monitored alternative to physical mail using data credits for text messages and photo sharing. All messages are reviewed by jail staff.
| Deposit Method |
Speed |
Notes |
| Inmate Canteen Online |
Immediate |
Online deposits through inmatecanteen.com. |
| TurnKey Lobby Kiosk |
Immediate |
Cash or card in the Sheriff's Office lobby at 213 Main Avenue North. |
| Mail-in Money Order |
3-7 business days |
Payable to the inmate and include the booking number. |
Ninth Judicial District Court Dates in Clearwater County
Clearwater County criminal cases are processed through Minnesota's Ninth Judicial District. Court proceedings for Bagley cases take place at the Clearwater County Courthouse, Court Room 1, 213 Main Avenue North.
The Ninth District's weekly public court calendar is published each business day at 7:00 AM and updated hourly throughout court hours. Search by defendant name through Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/CaseSearch.
Remote hearings must be conducted through the Zoomgov platform rather than standard Zoom. Connection instructions and hearing-specific meeting IDs are provided by the court clerk at scheduling, and participants should connect at least ten minutes before the listed hearing time.
About the Clearwater County Jail
The Clearwater County Jail operates as a local adult detention facility under Minnesota Rule 2911 as a division of the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office. The facility processes arrests made by the Sheriff's Office, the Bagley Police Department, and the Clearbrook-Gonvick Police Department and also serves as a holding point for people awaiting transport to state correctional facilities or regional medical centers.
Jail Administrator Candace Coulter oversees daily custodial operations and compliance with Minnesota Department of Corrections standards. The facility is led by Sheriff Darin Halverson, whose tenure has included modernization of jail technology and continued coordination with tribal law enforcement and Minnesota DOC Field Services.
The facility's 2025 biennial inspection returned compliance ratings of 97.52 percent for mandatory standards and 98.94 percent for essential standards, reflecting strong performance in inmate classification, medication management at intake, and financial administration of inmate trust accounts.
The jail also administers the Sentence to Service program through a joint-powers arrangement between Clearwater County and the State of Minnesota, allowing eligible non-violent offenders to perform community service in lieu of or in addition to traditional incarceration.
2026 Legislative Changes Affecting Clearwater County Jail Operations
Minnesota's 2026-2027 public safety budget introduced several changes with direct operational impact. A statewide operating adjustment supports rising personnel and training costs at county jails, while a Judicial Branch technology grant is helping accelerate the paperless courthouse initiative in Bagley.
New medical intake mandates require jails to maintain existing medication regimens when inmates arrive, helping reduce care gaps for people with chronic health or behavioral health conditions. Expanded authorization for unmanned aerial vehicles and mobile tracking devices may also improve efficiency for rural search and seizure operations across the county.