Albany County, New York Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Albany County, New York?
Arrest records are public documents in Albany County, New York, pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Article 6 of the Public Officers Law §§ 84-90. This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating public oversight of the criminal justice system
- Providing necessary information for background checks and public safety concerns
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
The Albany County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and accessibility. While the records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile offenders as specified under Public Officers Law § 87(2).
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Albany County?
Albany County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, though the availability and comprehensiveness of these records vary by source. The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains electronic databases that include arrest and disposition information for cases processed through the Albany County court system.
Online access options include:
- The Albany County Sheriff's Office website provides limited booking information for recent arrests
- The New York State Unified Court System's WebCrims database contains case information for pending criminal cases
- The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) maintains an inmate lookup service for individuals currently incarcerated or under community supervision
Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest histories, as certain records may be sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 or § 160.55, or may not have been digitized. Additionally, records available online may not reflect the most current case status, particularly for recently adjudicated matters.
How to Look Up Albany County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Albany County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
- In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Albany County Sheriff's Office Records Division to submit a request for arrest records.
Albany County Sheriff's Office
16 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5400
Albany County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Written Requests: FOIL requests may be submitted in writing to the Records Access Officer at the Sheriff's Office address listed above.
Albany Police Department: For arrests made by city police rather than county sheriff deputies.
Albany Police Department
165 Henry Johnson Boulevard
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 438-4000
Albany Police Department
Hours: Records Division open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- New York State Office of Court Administration: For criminal case histories that include arrest information.
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2810
NYS Unified Court System
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records, typically $0.25 per page.
Contents of an Albany County Arrest Record
Albany County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. These records typically include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Arrest-specific information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed, including New York Penal Law citations
- Incident report number and booking identification
- Weapon information, if applicable to the offense
Case processing details:
- Court docket or case number
- Arraignment date and location
- Bail or bond determination
- Preliminary hearing information
- Case disposition, if resolved
Photographic documentation:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Evidence photographs, where applicable and not exempt from disclosure
These records are maintained in accordance with the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-1, which establishes minimum retention periods for local government records in New York State.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Albany County
New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The 2019 passage of Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 expanded the eligibility criteria for record sealing in Albany County and throughout New York State.
Eligible circumstances for record sealing or expungement include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal (automatic sealing under CPL § 160.50)
- Certain non-criminal dispositions such as adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (CPL § 160.55)
- Convictions for specific offenses after a waiting period of 10 years from sentence completion (CPL § 160.59)
- Marijuana-related offenses automatically expunged under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021
The expungement process typically requires:
- Filing an application with the court that handled the original case
- Notification to the District Attorney's Office
- Judicial review of the application
- Court order directing sealing of records across multiple agencies
Albany County District Attorney's Office
Albany County Judicial Center
6 Lodge Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5460
Albany County District Attorney
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that certain agencies, including law enforcement and some licensing bodies, may retain limited access to sealed records under statutory exceptions. Additionally, federal immigration authorities may still access sealed state records in certain circumstances.
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