New York County Criminal Records
What Is New York County Criminal Records
New York County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Manhattan (New York County). These records are maintained pursuant to New York State Public Officers Law § 86, which defines public records as "any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with or for an agency."
Criminal records in New York County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the New York Police Department (NYPD), regardless of whether charges were filed or convictions obtained
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty pleas or verdicts in criminal proceedings
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in jail
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: While adult records (18+) are generally accessible, juvenile records are sealed under New York Family Court Act § 375.1 except in limited circumstances
- Warrant Information: Data regarding active warrants for arrest versus historical warrant records
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in New York County:
New York County District Attorney's Office
One Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013
(212) 335-9000
Manhattan District Attorney
New York County Supreme Court
60 Centre Street
New York, NY 10007
(646) 386-3600
New York State Unified Court System
New York Police Department
One Police Plaza
New York, NY 10038
(646) 610-5000
NYPD
Criminal records typically include information about charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide, while county-level agencies maintain records specific to their jurisdictions.
Are Criminal Records Public In New York County
Criminal records in New York County are generally considered public documents under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, § 84-90. This statute establishes that "government is the public's business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government."
However, not all criminal records are equally accessible. The law establishes important distinctions:
- Public Records: Court proceedings, conviction records, and certain arrest information are generally available to the public
- Restricted Records: Ongoing investigations, sealed cases, youthful offender adjudications, and juvenile delinquency proceedings have limited accessibility
According to Public Officers Law § 87(2), agencies may deny access to records that:
- "are compiled for law enforcement purposes and which, if disclosed, would interfere with law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings"
- "would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication"
- "would identify a confidential source or disclose confidential information relating to a criminal investigation"
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains publicly accessible court records for New York County. Criminal case information is available through the WebCriminal application, though certain sensitive information may be redacted.
Records that have been sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 following dismissals, acquittals, or certain other favorable dispositions are not publicly accessible. Similarly, records sealed under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.58 for certain drug-related offenses after completion of treatment programs are restricted from public view.
At present, members of the public seeking criminal records must demonstrate legitimate interest in specific cases rather than conducting generalized searches of all criminal records.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In New York County in 2026
Members of the public may access New York County criminal records through several established channels. The process varies depending on the type of information sought and its intended use.
For court records, individuals may:
- Visit the New York County Supreme Court Criminal Term located at:
New York County Supreme Court - Criminal Term
100 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
(646) 386-4000
New York State Unified Court System
- Complete a records request form specifying the case number or defendant name
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees ($1.00 per page for copies, certification fees may apply)
- Allow 1-3 business days for processing, depending on record age and complexity
For criminal history reports ("rap sheets"), requestors must:
- Submit fingerprints at an authorized location such as:
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
80 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 457-5837
NY DCJS
- Complete a Record Review Application form
- Pay the required fee ($62.00 currently)
- Provide proper identification
- Specify the purpose of the request (personal review, employment, licensing)
For incarceration records, individuals may:
- Contact the New York City Department of Correction at:
NYC Department of Correction
75-20 Astoria Boulevard
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
(718) 546-1500
NYC Department of Correction
- Provide the inmate's full name and NYSID number (if known)
- Submit a written request specifying the information sought
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing
Pursuant to Correction Law § 168-p, the public may also access the Sex Offender Registry for information about registered offenders residing in New York County.
How To Find Criminal Records in New York County Online?
New York County offers several digital portals for accessing criminal records information. These online resources provide varying levels of detail and accessibility.
The primary online systems include:
-
WebCriminal - The New York State Unified Court System's online case information system:
- Access via WebCriminal Portal
- Search by defendant name or case number
- View case status, appearance dates, and basic charge information
- No registration required for basic searches
- Enhanced access available for attorneys and justice agencies
-
eCourts - The integrated case management system:
- Visit eCourts NY
- Search by index number, party name, or attorney/firm
- Access calendars, appearances, and case status
- No registration required for public access functions
-
Inmate Lookup Service - For current incarceration information:
- Available through NYC Department of Correction
- Search by name, NYSID number, or book and case number
- Provides custody status, facility location, and next court date
- Updated daily with current inmate population
-
New York State Sex Offender Registry:
- Access via NY Sex Offender Registry
- Search by name, county, or zip code
- View offender photos, addresses, and offense information
- Registration not required for public searches
-
New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) Criminal History Record Search:
- Available at OCA Criminal History Search
- Requires creation of an account and payment of $95.00 fee per name searched
- Provides statewide criminal conviction information
- Results typically available within 5 business days
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Records predating digital conversion (generally pre-1990) may require in-person requests at the appropriate courthouse or agency. Additionally, sealed or expunged records will not appear in public online searches pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59.
Can You Search New York County Criminal Records for Free?
New York County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records, though the scope of freely available information is limited. Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), agencies may charge fees to cover the actual cost of reproducing records, but inspection of records is generally free.
Free access options include:
-
In-Person Court Record Inspection:
- Visit the New York County Supreme Court Criminal Term at 100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
- Records may be viewed on public access terminals during business hours (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday)
- No fee for viewing records, though copying fees apply ($1.00 per page)
- Photo identification required
-
WebCriminal Basic Search:
- The WebCriminal Portal provides free basic case information
- Search by defendant name or case number
- View case status, next appearance date, and charge information
- No registration or payment required for basic searches
-
NYC Department of Correction Inmate Lookup:
- The Inmate Lookup Service is available at no cost
- Provides current custody status and facility information
- Updated daily with current inmate population
- No registration required
-
New York State Sex Offender Registry:
- The NY Sex Offender Registry is freely accessible
- Search by name, county, or zip code
- View offender photos, addresses, and offense information
- No registration or payment required
-
Court Calendars:
- Daily court calendars are available at no cost through the New York State Unified Court System
- Lists cases scheduled for specific courtrooms
- Updated daily
- No registration required
While these resources provide free access to basic criminal record information, comprehensive criminal history reports ("rap sheets") require payment of established fees. Additionally, certified copies of court documents incur statutory fees that cannot be waived except in specific circumstances outlined in Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1101 for indigent individuals.
What's Included in a New York County Criminal Record?
New York County criminal records contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency, but typically includes:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing marks)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Last known address
- New York State Identification (NYSID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest (including statute numbers)
- Bail or bond information
- Pre-arraignment detention location
Court Case Information:
- Docket or case number
- Court of jurisdiction (Criminal Court or Supreme Court)
- Filing date and arraignment details
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor classes)
- Defense attorney information
- Judge assigned to the case
- Court appearance dates and proceedings
Disposition Information:
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere)
- Verdict (if trial conducted)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, restitution, and court costs
- Mandatory programs or treatment
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Orders of protection/restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DWI/DUI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Pursuant to Correction Law § 168-f, sex offender registration information is included for qualifying offenses. Similarly, under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192, DWI convictions are documented with specific notations regarding offense level and prior convictions.
Criminal records maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services include fingerprint data and are linked to the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) for national criminal history information.
How Long Does New York County Keep Criminal Records?
New York County retains criminal records according to schedules established by the New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule and specific provisions in state law. Retention periods vary based on record type, offense severity, and case outcome.
Key retention periods include:
- Felony Case Records: Permanently maintained by the New York County Supreme Court Criminal Term pursuant to Section 185.15 of the Unified Court System records retention schedule
- Misdemeanor Case Records: Retained for 25 years after case disposition by the New York County Criminal Court
- Violation/Infraction Records: Maintained for 6 years after case disposition
- Arrest Reports: Retained by NYPD for 10 years for misdemeanors and permanently for felonies
- Booking Information: Maintained for 10 years after the arrest date
- Criminal History ("Rap Sheet") Information: Permanently maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services unless specifically sealed or expunged
- Probation Records: Retained for 10 years after discharge from supervision
- Parole Records: Maintained for 7 years after discharge from supervision
Under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records are sealed when cases result in acquittal, dismissal, or certain non-criminal dispositions. While sealed records are not destroyed, they are removed from public access and can only be viewed with a court order.
Similarly, Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 allows for sealing of certain conviction records after a 10-year waiting period, though these records remain available to law enforcement agencies and in specific circumstances outlined in the statute.
Juvenile records are subject to different retention schedules under the Family Court Act, with most records automatically sealed when the individual reaches adulthood unless the case was transferred to adult criminal court.
The New York State Archives provides oversight for records management practices and ensures compliance with retention requirements across all county agencies.