Poughkeepsie Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Poughkeepsie, New York?
Arrest records in Poughkeepsie, New York are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the New York Public Officers Law, specifically Article 6, commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Pursuant to § 84 of this law, the legislature declares that government is the public's business and that the public has the right to access records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests. The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state regulations.
The New York Public Officers Law establishes a presumption of access, meaning that all government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. This legal framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials. Records of arrests, being official documentation of law enforcement activities, fall within the scope of public records and are therefore generally available for inspection and copying by any person, regardless of interest or motivation.
How to Look Up Poughkeepsie Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Poughkeepsie, each with specific procedures established by local and state authorities. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following approaches:
Submit a FOIL request to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department located at 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Phone: (845) 451-4000. Requests must be made in writing, specifying the records sought with reasonable particularity.
Visit the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office at 150 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Phone: (845) 486-3800. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Access the Dutchess County Clerk Document Search portal for certain public records that may include arrest information.
Contact the New York State Office of Court Administration at 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004. Phone: (800) 374-8652. This office maintains a statewide criminal history record search program available to the public for a fee of $95.00 per name searched.
Utilize the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's Inmate Lookup Service for information on individuals who have been sentenced to state prison.
Pursuant to § 89(3) of the Public Officers Law, agencies must respond to requests within five business days of receipt, either by providing the records, denying access with written explanation, or acknowledging receipt with an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.
Contents of a Poughkeepsie Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Poughkeepsie typically contain standardized information as required by New York State law. These records generally include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identities
- Date of birth and demographic information including age, gender, and race
- Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed against the individual, including citation of relevant New York Penal Law sections
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information including fingerprints and photographs (mugshots)
- Case or docket number assigned by the court
- Bail or bond information, if applicable
- Preliminary hearing date and court location
It should be noted that pursuant to § 160.50 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law, certain arrest records may be sealed if the case resulted in acquittal, dismissal, or other favorable disposition. In such instances, the records would not be available through standard public access channels.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Poughkeepsie
New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and, in limited circumstances, expungement of arrest records under specific conditions. The process is governed primarily by Article 160 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law. Individuals seeking to have their arrest records expunged or sealed in Poughkeepsie must adhere to the following procedures:
For cases resulting in favorable dispositions (dismissals, acquittals, etc.), records are automatically sealed pursuant to CPL § 160.50. This sealing occurs by operation of law and generally does not require action by the arrested individual.
For certain marijuana-related offenses, expungement is available under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) enacted in 2021. This law provides for automatic expungement of specific marijuana convictions without requiring individuals to file applications.
For other eligible convictions, individuals may apply for record sealing under CPL § 160.59, which permits the sealing of up to two eligible convictions (no more than one felony) after a 10-year waiting period from the date of sentence or release from incarceration.
Applications for discretionary sealing must be filed with the court where the conviction occurred. For Poughkeepsie cases, this would typically be:
Dutchess County Court
10 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-2300
Poughkeepsie City Court
62 Civic Center Plaza
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 451-4188
The application process requires submission of specific forms, notification to the District Attorney's Office, and potentially a hearing before a judge. The court considers various factors including the nature of the offense, time elapsed since conviction, and the applicant's subsequent conduct.
It should be noted that even when records are sealed under New York law, they remain accessible to certain agencies including law enforcement and some licensing authorities. True expungement, which involves complete destruction of records, is limited to specific marijuana offenses under the MRTA.
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