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Niagara Falls Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Niagara Falls, New York?

Arrest records in Niagara Falls, New York are classified as public documents pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Article 6 of the Public Officers Law §§ 84-90. This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public with certain statutory exceptions. The public accessibility of these records serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and upholds the principle that citizens have the right to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

Under New York State law, specifically Public Officers Law § 87, government agencies must make records available for public inspection and copying. However, certain exemptions apply to protect ongoing investigations, personal privacy, and public safety as outlined in § 87(2). The Niagara County local laws further codify these provisions at the county level, ensuring consistent application throughout jurisdictions including Niagara Falls.

How to Look Up Niagara Falls Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Niagara Falls have multiple official channels through which such information may be obtained. The following governmental agencies maintain and provide access to arrest records:

Niagara Falls Police Department Records Division
1925 Main Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Phone: (716) 286-4553
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
City of Niagara Falls Police Department

The Records Division processes requests for arrest records in accordance with New York State Public Officers Law § 87. Requestors must complete a FOIL request form, which may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically through the department's official website. Processing times typically range from 5 to 20 business days depending on the complexity and volume of the request.

Niagara County Sheriff's Office Records Unit
5526 Niagara Street Extension
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 438-3370
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Niagara County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within their jurisdiction, including areas of Niagara Falls under county law enforcement authority. Requests must be submitted on the designated FOIL form with proper identification. Fees for copies are assessed at $0.25 per page pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii).

Niagara County Clerk's Office
175 Hawley Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-7022
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The County Clerk maintains court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings. These records may be searched by name or case number at public access terminals located within the office.

Contents of a Niagara Falls Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Niagara Falls law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services regulations. Pursuant to 9 NYCRR § 6050.1, these records typically include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges filed at time of arrest with corresponding penal code citations
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Incident report number and associated case identifiers
Custody status information
Court appearance dates and jurisdictional information

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2) exemptions, particularly information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, endanger the life or safety of any person, or interfere with law enforcement investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Niagara Falls

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The primary statutory authority governing these procedures is found in Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) § 160.50 for dismissed cases and CPL § 160.59 for eligible convictions.

Pursuant to CPL § 160.50, when a criminal action terminates in favor of the accused (e.g., dismissal, acquittal, declined prosecution), the record shall be sealed upon court order. This process is generally automatic for qualifying dispositions occurring after November 1, 1991, though older cases may require petition to the court.

For conviction records, CPL § 160.59 (effective October 2017) established a sealing mechanism for eligible non-violent felony and misdemeanor convictions after a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later. Individuals may petition the court where the conviction occurred, with notice to the District Attorney's office.

Niagara County District Attorney's Office
175 Hawley Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-7085
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The District Attorney's office reviews all expungement petitions and may file objections within 45 days of notification. Petitioners must demonstrate rehabilitation and that sealing the record would promote public safety and advance societal welfare.

Additionally, New York's marijuana regulation and taxation act (2021) provides for automatic expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses. The Town of Niagara local ordinances have been updated to reflect these changes in state law.

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, several statutory and regulatory restrictions limit access under certain circumstances:

Juvenile records (under age 18) are confidential pursuant to Family Court Act § 381.3 and § 784
Sealed records under CPL § 160.50 (favorable dispositions) and § 160.59 (eligible convictions after waiting period)
Youthful offender adjudications pursuant to CPL § 720.35
Orders of protection in family offense proceedings under Family Court Act § 154-b
Records pertaining to victims of sex offenses under Civil Rights Law § 50-b

Law enforcement agencies in Niagara Falls must comply with these restrictions when responding to public records requests. Unauthorized disclosure of protected records may result in civil liability and administrative penalties.

Using Niagara Falls Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities conducting background checks in Niagara Falls must adhere to both state and federal regulations governing the use of arrest records. The following legal frameworks apply:

New York State Human Rights Law (Executive Law § 296(16)) prohibits discrimination based on arrests that did not result in conviction
New York Correction Law Article 23-A restricts employment discrimination based on criminal records unless directly related to job duties or would pose unreasonable risk
Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs third-party background check procedures
New York City's Fair Chance Act (applicable to employers with New York City operations) requires "ban the box" procedures

Entities requesting arrest records for background check purposes must provide proper authorization from the subject and comply with adverse action notification requirements when decisions are based on record information.