>New York County Arrest Records Online

New York County, New York Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in New York County, New York?

Arrest records are public in New York County, New York, pursuant to the New York Public Officers Law, specifically Article 6 (§§ 84-90), commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. The New York State Committee on Open Government oversees the implementation of FOIL and provides advisory opinions regarding public access to government records.

The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

Maintains transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensures accountability within the criminal justice system
Provides the community with information regarding public safety matters
Upholds the constitutional principle of open judicial proceedings
Facilitates research and analysis of criminal justice trends

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with § 87(2) of the Public Officers Law, which provides exemptions for information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or could endanger the life or safety of any person.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in New York County?

Arrest records in New York County are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. Pursuant to § 89(3)(a) of the Public Officers Law, agencies are required to make records available in the medium requested by the person, including electronic format when feasible. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains comprehensive databases that include arrest information.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:

Records may be accessed through official government portals requiring user registration
Some records may require payment of statutory fees as authorized under § 87(1)(b)(iii)
Certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections
Records related to sealed cases, juvenile offenders, or youthful offenders may not be publicly accessible online pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50

The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) provides a centralized online system for accessing court records, including those related to arrests. This system allows authorized users to search for cases by name, case number, or other identifiers.

How to Look Up New York County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in New York County in 2025 may utilize several official channels. Pursuant to § 89(3) of the Public Officers Law, each agency must designate a records access officer responsible for coordinating responses to public requests for records.

The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:

Online Database Searches: The New York State Incarcerated Lookup system provides information on individuals currently in custody or under supervision.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the New York County District Attorney's Office or the New York County Clerk's Office to submit formal requests for arrest records.

New York County District Attorney's Office
One Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013
(212) 335-9000
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

New York County Clerk's Office
60 Centre Street, Room 161
New York, NY 10007
(646) 386-5955
New York County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FOIL Requests: Written requests may be submitted under the Freedom of Information Law to the appropriate law enforcement agency, such as the New York State Police or the New York Police Department.

New York Police Department - Records Access Officer
One Police Plaza, Room 110C
New York, NY 10038
(646) 610-5296
NYPD Records Access
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Criminal History Record Search: The New York State Office of Court Administration provides criminal history record searches for a fee of $95.00 per name searched.

Contents of a New York County Arrest Record

New York County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, address, Social Security Number (partially redacted in public versions), physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Arrest Details: Date and time of arrest, location of arrest, arresting agency, badge numbers of arresting officers, arrest number or booking number
Criminal Charges: Specific statutes violated, classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, violation), description of alleged criminal conduct
Case Processing Information: Court docket number, arraignment date, plea information, bail or bond amount, custody status
Biometric Data: Fingerprint classification, New York State Identification Number (NYSID), FBI number if applicable
Photographic Evidence: Mugshot photographs taken at time of booking showing front and profile views
Disposition Information: Final outcome of the case, including dismissal, conviction, sentencing details, or other resolution

It should be noted that pursuant to Executive Law § 837(8), certain information contained in arrest records may be subject to limited disclosure depending on the status and outcome of the case.

Expungement of Arrest Records in New York County

The expungement and sealing of arrest records in New York County is governed by several statutes, primarily Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 (sealing after favorable dispositions) and § 160.59 (sealing of certain convictions after 10 years). The New York State Legislature has established specific criteria and procedures for the removal of arrest records from public access.

Eligibility for expungement or sealing varies based on the following factors:

Case Outcome: Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or other favorable dispositions are eligible for automatic sealing under CPL § 160.50.
Conviction Type: Pursuant to CPL § 160.59, individuals with no more than two criminal convictions, only one of which may be a felony, may apply for sealing after a 10-year waiting period.
Excluded Offenses: Sex offenses, violent felonies, and certain other serious crimes are ineligible for sealing under current law.

The process for sealing records requires:

Filing a motion with the court where the case was adjudicated
Notification to the District Attorney's Office
Judicial review of the application
Court order directing all agencies to seal records if approved

The New York Criminal Record Sealing Unit provides assistance with the sealing process.

New York State Courts - Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, Room 939
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2943
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Additionally, pursuant to the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021, certain marijuana-related convictions have been automatically expunged, with records no longer appearing in background checks or public databases.

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