> >Lake Placid Arrest Records

Lake Placid Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lake Placid, New York?

Arrest records are public documents in Lake Placid, New York, pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and the state's commitment to governmental transparency. Under New York Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90, these records are classified as public information to ensure that governmental actions remain subject to public scrutiny. The Lake Placid Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.

Members of the public may access arrest records through designated channels established by local law enforcement agencies. However, certain information may be redacted in accordance with New York State law to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile records as specified under New York Family Court Act § 375.1.

How to Look Up Lake Placid Arrest Records in 2025

The Lake Placid Police Department provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Submit a written FOIL request to the Lake Placid Police Department located at 2693 Main Street, Suite 104, Lake Placid, NY 12946.
Visit the Records Division during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to submit requests in person.
Access the Essex County Sheriff's Office records system for county-wide arrest information.
Consult the Essex County Clerk's Office at 7559 Court Street, PO Box 247, Elizabethtown, NY 12932 (public hours: 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM) for court records related to arrests.
Review case information through the Lake Placid Village Justice Court for arrests resulting in local court proceedings.

Requestors must provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, either 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 Lake Placid Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Lake Placid Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event. These records typically include the following elements as mandated by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services guidelines:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including New York Penal Law citations
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Detention information including bail determination
Case disposition if available

The Essex County District Attorney's Office may supplement these records with additional prosecution documentation for cases proceeding to court. Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of arrests that did not lead to convictions may be sealed under certain circumstances.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Lake Placid, several statutory exemptions limit access to certain information. The Lake Placid Police Department and Town of North Elba Court must withhold or redact the following categories of information:

Records pertaining to juveniles under 18 years of age (protected under New York Family Court Act § 375.1)
Information that would interfere with active law enforcement investigations (pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(2)(e))
Records sealed by court order following dismissals or acquittals (under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50)
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including medical information, Social Security numbers, and certain personal identifiers
Records related to victims of sexual offenses (protected under Civil Rights Law § 50-b)
Information that could endanger the life or safety of any person if disclosed

Law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and certification of records in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii). The current fee schedule established by the Lake Placid Police Department is $0.25 per page for standard documents and $15 for certified copies.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lake Placid

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records. The process is governed primarily by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures. Individuals seeking expungement in Lake Placid must:

File a motion with the court of original jurisdiction, typically the Lake Placid Village Justice Court
Demonstrate eligibility based on statutory criteria, including:
- At least 10 years have passed since the conviction or release from incarceration
- No more than two eligible convictions, with no more than one felony
- No pending criminal charges
- No convictions for ineligible offenses as enumerated in CPL § 160.59(1)(a)

Upon successful petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Lake Placid Police Department, to seal the records. Sealed records remain accessible only to specific agencies under limited circumstances as outlined in CPL § 160.59(9).

The New York Clean Slate Act, effective in 2023, provides for automatic sealing of certain records after specified waiting periods (3 years for misdemeanors, 8 years for felonies) provided there are no subsequent convictions and all sentences have been completed.