>Monroe County Arrest Records Online

Monroe County, New York Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Monroe County, New York?

Arrest records are public in Monroe County, New York, pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law, Article 6, §§ 84-90, commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system and enabling community oversight of law enforcement activities.

Members of the public may access these records through various official channels, including the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Monroe County Clerk's Office. The accessibility of arrest records is subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other sensitive information as outlined in New York State Public Officers Law § 87(2).

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Monroe County?

Arrest records in Monroe County are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains databases that may include arrest information from Monroe County jurisdictions.

Online accessibility is governed by New York State Technology Law § 208, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to public records. Digital platforms typically provide basic arrest information, including:

Name of the arrested individual
Date of arrest
Nature of charges
Current status of the case

Certain details may be redacted from online records in accordance with New York Civil Rights Law § 50-a and other applicable privacy statutes. For comprehensive arrest records, individuals may need to submit formal requests through established FOIL procedures.

How to Look Up Monroe County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Monroe County arrest records in 2025 have multiple avenues available. The following methods are authorized pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 89:

Submit a FOIL request to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office located at 130 S. Plymouth Ave., Rochester, NY 14614. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM), by phone (585-753-4178), or through their official website.
Access the Monroe County Clerk's online records system for publicly available arrest information. This system is accessible 24 hours per day and provides basic arrest data.
Utilize the New York State Incarcerated Individual Lookup for information regarding individuals currently in custody or under supervision of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Visit the Monroe County Jail Bureau at 130 Plymouth Avenue South, Rochester, NY 14614, or call 585-753-4000 between 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM and 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM for information regarding currently incarcerated individuals.

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 certain record requests in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).

Contents of a Monroe County Arrest Record

Monroe 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 and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Specific charges filed, including applicable New York Penal Law sections
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records and unique identifiers such as New York State ID (NYSID) number
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available

Pursuant to criminal background check procedures established by Monroe County, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to confidential informants.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Access to arrest records in Monroe County is subject to several legal restrictions established under New York State law. The primary limitations include:

Sealed records: Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, records of cases resulting in acquittals, dismissals, or certain non-criminal dispositions are sealed and not available to the general public.
Youthful offender adjudications: Records pertaining to individuals granted youthful offender status under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 720.35 are confidential and not accessible through public channels.
Orders of protection: Information that could compromise the safety of victims protected by orders of protection may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with New York Family Court Act § 154-b.
Ongoing investigations: Records related to active investigations may be temporarily withheld under New York Public Officers Law § 87(2)(e) to prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings.

Law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain authorized entities retain access to complete arrest records, including sealed information, for official purposes as permitted by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.60.

Consequences of Arrest Records in Monroe County

Arrest records in Monroe County can have significant implications for individuals, even in cases that do not result in conviction. These consequences may include:

Employment limitations: Many employers in Monroe County conduct background checks that may reveal arrest records, potentially affecting hiring decisions despite New York State Human Rights Law § 296(16), which prohibits discrimination based solely on arrests that did not lead to conviction.
Housing restrictions: Landlords and property management companies may review arrest records as part of tenant screening processes, potentially limiting housing opportunities.
Professional licensing: Certain professional licenses regulated by New York State agencies may require disclosure of arrest records, even without conviction, during the application or renewal process.
Immigration consequences: Non-citizens may face immigration proceedings based on arrest records, regardless of case disposition, under federal immigration regulations.
Educational impacts: Some educational institutions and scholarship programs may consider arrest records in their admissions or award processes.

Individuals with arrest records in Monroe County may benefit from consulting with legal counsel regarding their rights and options for record sealing or expungement under applicable New York State laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Monroe County

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. In Monroe County, these processes are governed by the following statutes:

Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50: Provides for the sealing of records in cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or certain non-criminal dispositions.
Criminal Procedure Law § 160.58: Allows for the conditional sealing of certain drug-related convictions after completion of judicial diversion programs.
Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59: Permits the sealing of up to two eligible criminal convictions (one felony maximum) after a 10-year waiting period.
Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act: Provides for automatic expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses.

The expungement process typically requires filing a motion with the court that handled the original case. The Monroe County District Attorney's Office, located at 47 South Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, NY 14614, may review and respond to expungement petitions. The court then determines whether the record qualifies for sealing under applicable statutes.

Successful expungement generally prevents the sealed record from appearing in background checks conducted by most employers and housing providers, though certain government agencies and law enforcement entities may retain access to sealed records.

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