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Alfred Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Alfred, New York?

Arrest records in Alfred, New York are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Article 6 of the Public Officers Law §§ 84-90. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The law operates under the presumption that all government records are accessible unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Village of Alfred, operating under the oversight of the Alfred Village Police Department, maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to arrest information promotes transparency in law enforcement operations and enables citizens to remain informed about criminal activity within their community. Records may be requested through formal channels established by local law enforcement agencies and the county court system.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile privacy, or other legally protected information as specified under Public Officers Law § 87(2). However, the fundamental details of an arrest remain accessible to members of the public who follow proper request procedures.

How to Look Up Alfred Arrest Records in 2025

The Village of Alfred has implemented multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. As of 2025, these methods have been modernized to accommodate technological advancements while maintaining traditional access options. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Alfred Village Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records during regular business hours.

Alfred Village Police Department
7 West University Street
Alfred, NY 14802
607-587-8877
Village of Alfred Official Website

Allegany County Court Records: The county courthouse maintains records of arrests that resulted in court proceedings.

Allegany County Courthouse
7 Court Street
Belmont, NY 14813
585-268-9270
Allegany County Court Information

Online Portal Access: The Allegany County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of arrest records that may be searched using the arrestee's name, date of arrest, or case number.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit FOIL requests in writing to the Records Access Officer at either the police department or county clerk's office, pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89.
District Attorney's Office: For cases that have been prosecuted, records may be available through the District Attorney's office.

Allegany County District Attorney's Office
County Building, Room 333
7 Court Street
Belmont, NY 14813
585-268-9225
District Attorney's Office

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current administrative workload. Fees may apply for document reproduction in accordance with FOIL § 87(1)(b)(iii).

Contents of an Alfred Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Alfred Village Police Department and Allegany County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by New York State law. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of New York State Penal Law or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including statute numbers and charge classifications (violation, misdemeanor, or felony)
Booking Information: Processing details including fingerprinting, photographing (mugshot), and assignment of a unique booking identification number
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, release conditions, or continued detention
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including court appearances, adjudication outcomes, and sentencing information if applicable
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions that may be relevant to the current case

The Alfred Village Police Department, operating under the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, Council 82, maintains these records in compliance with state record-keeping requirements. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records in accordance with applicable privacy laws and ongoing investigation protections.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Alfred are generally public, New York State law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect individual privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be sealed and removed from public access.
Youthful Offender Adjudications: Records pertaining to individuals granted youthful offender status are automatically sealed under Criminal Procedure Law § 720.35.
Juvenile Records: Arrests of individuals under age 16 (or under 18 for certain offenses after October 1, 2019) are handled by Family Court and are not public records under Family Court Act § 381.2.
Active Investigations: Information that would interfere with ongoing law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Public Officers Law § 87(2)(e).
Personal Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted to prevent unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as provided in Public Officers Law § 87(2)(b).
Executive Pardons: Records of convictions that have received an executive pardon may be sealed under certain circumstances.

The Town of Alfred Court, located at 7 West University Street, processes requests for record sealing and maintains compliance with these legal limitations. Court sessions related to criminal matters are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm, as noted in the Allegany County court schedule.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Alfred

New York State law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in Alfred follows state guidelines and is administered through the local court system. Eligible individuals may petition for record expungement under the following provisions:

Automatic Sealing: Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that resulted in acquittals, dismissals, or declined prosecutions are automatically sealed unless the prosecutor demonstrates good cause to maintain them.
Marijuana Conviction Expungement: Under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021, certain marijuana-related convictions are automatically expunged.
Conditional Sealing: Criminal Procedure Law § 160.58 permits sealing of certain drug-related convictions after successful completion of judicial diversion programs or similar court-mandated treatment.
General Conviction Sealing: Under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, individuals may apply to have up to two eligible convictions sealed (one felony maximum) after a 10-year waiting period from sentence completion.

The application process requires submission of formal petitions to the court where the case was adjudicated. The Town of Alfred Court processes these applications with oversight from Justices Kenn Burdick and Wendy Bush. The District Attorney's office reviews all applications and may contest the sealing if grounds exist under statutory provisions.

Successful expungement removes records from public access, though law enforcement agencies retain limited access for specific purposes authorized by law. Expunged records will not appear in standard background checks conducted by employers or housing providers.

Impact of Arrest Records on Employment in Alfred

Arrest records can significantly impact employment opportunities for Alfred residents. New York State has enacted specific protections to balance public safety concerns with fair employment practices:

New York State Human Rights Law: Under Executive Law § 296(16), employers are prohibited from inquiring about or taking adverse action based on arrests that did not result in convictions, sealed convictions, or youthful offender adjudications.
Article 23-A Protections: Correction Law Article 23-A requires employers to conduct an individualized assessment before denying employment based on criminal history, considering factors such as time elapsed since the offense, age at time of offense, and rehabilitation evidence.
Fair Chance Act Compliance: The Village of Alfred employers must follow "ban-the-box" principles, delaying criminal background inquiries until after a conditional offer of employment has been extended.
Occupational Licensing Considerations: Certain professional licenses administered through Allegany County offices may have specific restrictions based on criminal history, though these must include provisions for certificate of relief from disabilities or good conduct certificates.
Public Employment Restrictions: The Village of Alfred maintains specific policies regarding criminal history for municipal employment positions, particularly those in law enforcement or positions working with vulnerable populations.

Individuals with arrest records seeking employment in Alfred may benefit from obtaining certificates of relief from disabilities or certificates of good conduct through the court system to demonstrate rehabilitation and remove certain statutory barriers to employment.