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New York Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in New York, New York?

Arrest records are public in New York, New York, pursuant to the New York 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, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The New York State Committee on Open Government oversees the implementation of FOIL to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various official channels, including law enforcement agencies, court systems, and designated record repositories. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected matters as specified in Public Officers Law § 87(2).

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains comprehensive guidelines regarding the accessibility of criminal justice information, including arrest records, in accordance with state regulations and federal requirements.

How to Look Up New York Arrest Records in 2025

The New York State criminal justice system provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records, with enhanced digital accessibility implemented in recent years. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official methods:

Visit Local Police Departments: Members of the public may request arrest records directly from the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest. The New York City Police Department provides record request services at:

New York City Police Department Records Section
One Police Plaza, Room 303
New York, NY 10038
(646) 610-5000
Official NYPD Record Requests
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
County Clerk's Office: The New York County Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings:

New York County Clerk's Office
60 Centre Street, Room 161
New York, NY 10007
(646) 386-5955
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
State Repository Access: The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) maintains a centralized database of criminal case information:

NYS Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(212) 428-2810
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Court Records: The New York State Unified Court System provides electronic access to court records through its WebCriminal system, which includes information on criminal cases filed in courts throughout the state.
FOIL Requests: Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89, individuals may submit formal FOIL requests to obtain arrest records not otherwise readily available. Standard request forms are available through the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Contents of a New York Arrest Record

New York arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including citation of applicable New York Penal Law sections
Arresting agency identification and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including unique identification numbers
Biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs (mugshots)
Detention status and bail/bond determinations
Court appearance dates and locations
Disposition information, if available

The Criminal Records Section of the NYPD maintains these records in accordance with departmental policies and state regulations. Fingerprint data is transmitted to the state repository maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services as required by Executive Law § 837(6).

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, certain statutory restrictions limit access to specific information. The following limitations apply to arrest record dissemination in New York:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 18) are sealed pursuant to Family Court Act § 375.1 and are not publicly accessible
Arrests resulting in favorable dispositions (e.g., dismissals, acquittals) may be sealed under Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50
Records of certain marijuana-related offenses have been automatically sealed following the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act
Information regarding victims of sex offenses or domestic violence may be redacted from public arrest records
Ongoing investigations may warrant temporary withholding of arrest information

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services provides detailed guidance on record access restrictions and maintains policies to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in New York

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The Clean Slate Act, effective in 2023, has expanded eligibility for record sealing. Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following conditions:

Arrests that did not lead to prosecution or conviction
Convictions for certain non-violent offenses after specified waiting periods
Marijuana-related convictions eligible under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act
Youthful offender adjudications pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 720.35

The expungement process typically requires:

Filing a motion with the court where the case was adjudicated
Providing notice to the District Attorney's office
Attending a judicial hearing if required
Obtaining a court order directing all agencies to seal or expunge relevant records

Legal representation is advisable due to the procedural complexities involved. The New York City Court System provides resources for individuals seeking expungement services.

Statistical Reporting of Arrest Data

The New York City Police Department and state agencies maintain comprehensive statistical data on arrests as required by Administrative Code § 14-150. These statistics serve multiple purposes:

Public safety planning and resource allocation
Trend analysis and crime prevention strategies
Accountability and transparency in law enforcement operations
Policy development and legislative initiatives
Academic and governmental research

The NYPD publishes citywide crime statistics regularly, while the Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains statewide criminal justice statistics that include arrest data from all jurisdictions within New York State.