Rochester Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Rochester, New York?
Arrest records are public in Rochester, 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 to the public for inspection and copying. The law operates under the principle that government information belongs to the people, with certain limited exceptions designed to protect compelling interests such as personal privacy, ongoing investigations, or public safety.
The Rochester Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become public documents once they are filed, though specific information may be redacted in accordance with FOIL exemptions outlined in § 87(2). Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must submit requests through proper channels and may be required to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction as permitted under § 87(1)(b)(iii).
How to Look Up Rochester Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Rochester. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches in accordance with applicable state and local regulations:
Rochester Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request copies of arrest reports in person at the Public Safety Building. The Rochester Police Department maintains these records and processes public requests during regular business hours.
Rochester Police Department
185 Exchange Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 428-7033Monroe County Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions, may be accessed through the Monroe County Clerk's Office. The office maintains judicial records for cases processed through the county court system.
Monroe County Clerk's Office
39 West Main Street
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 753-1600FOIL Requests: Formal requests may be submitted under the Freedom of Information Law to the City Records Access Officer. These requests must be specific regarding the information sought and may require processing time as stipulated by law.
Rochester City Hall - Law Department
Room 400A, 30 Church Street
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 428-6752New York State Office of Court Administration: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact the state repository, which maintains records from jurisdictions throughout New York, including Rochester.
NYS Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2100
Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Fees may apply in accordance with FOIL § 87(1)(b)(iii) and local fee schedules.
Contents of a Rochester Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Rochester Police Department contain specific categories of information as required by New York State law and departmental policies. These records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and address
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable sections of New York Penal Law
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information, including fingerprint classification and booking photographs
- Case number and incident report references
- Custody status and bail determination information
- Preliminary hearing dates, if applicable
Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50, certain information may be redacted or limited in cases where charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Family Court Act § 375.1, which restricts public access to such records.
The Rochester Traffic Violations Agency maintains separate records for traffic infractions, which follow different protocols for public access than criminal arrest records.
Rochester Traffic Violations Agency
200 East Main Street, Room 203-A
Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 428-7500
Expungement of Arrest Records in Rochester
New York State law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be sealed or expunged under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 and related statutes, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals may qualify for record sealing or expungement under the following circumstances:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal (CPL § 160.50)
- Certain non-criminal offenses after specified waiting periods (CPL § 160.55)
- Select criminal convictions after a 10-year waiting period from sentence completion or release (CPL § 160.59)
- Marijuana-related offenses pursuant to the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021
The expungement process requires filing a formal application with the court of original jurisdiction. For arrests occurring in Rochester, applications must typically be filed with:
Monroe County Supreme and County Court
Hall of Justice
99 Exchange Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 371-3758
Applicants must provide certified copies of dispositions, a sworn statement of eligibility, and may need to appear for a hearing if the District Attorney's Office files an objection. Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the specified records from public access.
It should be noted that certain agencies, including law enforcement and some licensing bodies, may retain limited access to sealed records for specific statutory purposes as outlined in CPL § 160.59(9).
Search Arrest Records in Rochester
