Arrest records are public in Delaware 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 the presumption that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The legislative intent behind FOIL, as stated in § 84, is to ensure government accountability and provide citizens with information to make informed judgments.
Members of the public should note that certain arrest records may be sealed or expunged in accordance with Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, which provides for the sealing of records in cases where charges were terminated in favor of the accused. Additionally, records pertaining to youthful offenders may be confidential under Family Court Act § 381.3. Absent such statutory exemptions, arrest records maintained by Delaware County law enforcement agencies remain accessible to the public.
Delaware County arrest records can be accessed through various online platforms maintained by governmental entities and third-party aggregators. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that allows the public to view current incarceration records. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office maintains a mobile application that provides access to warrant information and recent arrest data pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87.
The comprehensiveness of online arrest record databases varies significantly. Records available through the Delaware County government portal may not include all historical arrest data, particularly for cases that occurred prior to digital record-keeping implementation. Furthermore, pursuant to Executive Law § 837, certain arrest information may be restricted from online access to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive information.
Users of online arrest record databases should be aware that:
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Delaware County as of 2025, in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 89. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:
Submit a FOIL request directly to the Delaware County Sheriff's Office: Delaware County Sheriff's Office 280 Phoebe Lane, Suite 1 Delhi, NY 13753 Phone: (607) 832-5555 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Delaware County Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests: Delaware County Clerk's Office 3 Court Street Delhi, NY 13753 Phone: (607) 832-5510 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit local police departments within Delaware County jurisdictions where the arrest occurred.
Utilize the Delaware County Sheriff's mobile application for current warrant and arrest information.
Access the New York State Office of Court Administration's criminal history record search, available for a statutory fee of $95.00 per name search pursuant to Judiciary Law § 212(2)(j).
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with the fee schedule established by the County Clerk's Office.
Delaware County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Executive Law § 837-c and Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Biographical data of the arrested individual:
Arrest-specific information:
Processing documentation:
Case disposition information:
It should be noted that pursuant to 9 NYCRR § 6150.4, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, information related to confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
The expungement process in Delaware County operates under the provisions of New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 and § 160.55, which provide mechanisms for the sealing and, in limited circumstances, destruction of arrest records. Expungement refers to the complete removal of arrest records from public access and, in some cases, physical destruction of such records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Delaware County include:
The expungement process requires the filing of a motion with the court of jurisdiction where the case was adjudicated. Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50(1), when a criminal action terminates in favor of the accused, the court must issue an order directing that all records be sealed. The court then notifies all relevant agencies, including the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the FBI to seal their records.
Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain agencies, including law enforcement and prosecutors, may retain limited access to sealed records under specific circumstances outlined in Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50(1)(d).