Cortland County, New York Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Cortland County, New York?
Arrest records are public in Cortland County, New York, pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Cortland County, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The legislative intent behind FOIL is to promote governmental transparency and accountability, ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2), which protects personal privacy, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive information. Nevertheless, basic arrest information including the name of the arrestee, charges filed, and court appearance dates remain publicly accessible.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cortland County?
Arrest records can be found online in Cortland County through various authorized digital platforms. The Cortland County Sheriff's Office maintains electronic records of arrests within their jurisdiction, portions of which are available through their official website. Additionally, the Cortland County Clerk's Office provides access to certain public records through their online portal.
Pursuant to New York State Technology Law § 208, government agencies are encouraged to make public records available electronically when feasible. This statutory provision has facilitated the digital availability of arrest records, allowing individuals to access this information without physically visiting government offices. However, requestors should note that not all arrest record details may be available online, and comprehensive records may still require formal requests through established channels.
Cortland County Clerk's Office
46 Greenbush Street, Suite 105
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753-5021
Official County Clerk Website
How to Look Up Cortland County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Cortland County arrest records in 2025, individuals may utilize several methods established under New York's FOIL and county procedures. The following options are available to members of the public:
Online Public Records Search: The Cortland County public records search portal allows users to access certain arrest records digitally. This service is provided in accordance with County Resolution 127-19, which authorized the implementation of electronic record access.
Sheriff's Office Records Request: The Cortland County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records. Formal requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated electronic channels.
Court Records Access: The Supreme and County Courts maintain records of all felony cases, including associated arrest information. These records are available through the court clerk's office, subject to applicable access restrictions.
City Police Department Records: The Cortland Police Department maintains records of arrests within city limits. Requests for these records must comply with departmental procedures for public information requests.
Cortland County Sheriff's Office
54 Greenbush Street
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-5599
Official Sheriff's Office Website
Cortland Police Department
25 Court Street
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 758-8307
Official Police Department Website
Contents of a Cortland County Arrest Record
Cortland County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description and booking photograph
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including applicable New York Penal Law sections
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency identification
- Court docket or case number
- Fingerprint classification information
- Custody status information
- Court appearance dates and locations
- Disposition information, when available
Pursuant to 9 NYCRR § 6150.4, law enforcement agencies in Cortland County must maintain these records in a standardized format to ensure consistency across jurisdictions. The completeness of publicly available arrest records may vary based on case status, with active investigations potentially having limited available information in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2)(e).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Cortland County
The expungement and sealing of arrest records in Cortland County is governed by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 and § 160.59. Under these statutes, individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged under specific circumstances:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal are eligible for automatic sealing pursuant to CPL § 160.50
- Non-criminal offenses (violations and certain misdemeanors) may be sealed after a waiting period as specified in CPL § 160.55
- Certain eligible criminal convictions may be sealed after a 10-year waiting period under CPL § 160.59, provided the applicant meets all statutory requirements
The expungement process requires filing a motion with the court that handled the original case. The Cortland County Supreme and County Courts process these applications in accordance with statutory guidelines. Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all agencies to seal the specified records, restricting their availability to the public.
Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain records, particularly those involving sex offenses, violent felonies, and class A felonies, are statutorily ineligible for sealing under New York law.
Cortland County Supreme and County Courts
46 Greenbush Street
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753-5013
Official Courts Website
Search Arrest Records in Cortland County
