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Utica Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Utica, New York?

Arrest records are public in Utica, New York, pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Article 6 of the Public Officers Law §§ 84-90. This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout New York State, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies in Utica. The law operates under the presumption that all government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various official channels, subject to certain limitations established by New York State law. These limitations primarily concern ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and sealed cases. The public nature of these records serves several governmental purposes:

Promotes transparency in the criminal justice system
Enables public oversight of law enforcement activities
Provides information relevant to public safety
Ensures accountability of government agencies

The Utica Police Department maintains these records in accordance with New York State record retention schedules as established by the State Archives under Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25.

How to Look Up Utica Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Utica, New York. Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87, government agencies must make records available upon request through reasonable means. The following options are available to members of the public seeking arrest information:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit in-person requests at the following locations:

Utica Police Department Records Division
413 Oriskany Street West
Utica, NY 13502
Phone: (315) 223-3461
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Oneida County Sheriff's Office
6065 Judd Road
Oriskany, NY 13424
Phone: (315) 736-0141
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to either agency listed above. Requests must include:

Full name of the subject of the record
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Requestor's contact information
Copy of requestor's government-issued identification
Required fees (typically $15-25 per record)

Online Access

The following digital resources provide varying levels of arrest record information:

Oneida County 911 Activity Feed - Provides real-time information on police activity and arrests
Oneida County Clerk Records Portal - Contains court records related to arrests and case dispositions
Oneida County 911 Summary Reports - Offers compiled reports of emergency responses including arrests

Requests submitted through any method are subject to processing times of 5-20 business days in accordance with Public Officers Law § 89(3).

Contents of a Utica Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Utica law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services regulations. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of arrested individual
Known aliases or previous names
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Charges filed (including New York Penal Law citations)
Arrest circumstances and probable cause summary
Weapon involvement (if applicable)
Property seized during arrest

Case Processing Information

Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Detention facility information
Bail or bond determination
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if available)
Sentence information (if applicable)

Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2), including:

Social Security numbers
Medical information
Information that would endanger the life or safety of any person
Information that would interfere with law enforcement investigations
Information specifically protected by other state or federal laws

Expungement of Arrest Records in Utica

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) § 160.50 for dismissed cases and CPL § 160.59 for conviction records.

Automatic Sealing

Pursuant to CPL § 160.50, arrest records are automatically sealed when:

The case is dismissed in the interest of justice
The accused is acquitted at trial
The prosecutor declines to prosecute (declined prosecution)
The case results in a non-criminal disposition
The conviction is vacated or overturned on appeal

When records are sealed under this provision, all photographs, fingerprints, and other identifying information must be returned to the individual or destroyed. The arrest record becomes unavailable to the public but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes.

Conviction Record Sealing

Under CPL § 160.59, individuals with certain criminal convictions may apply for record sealing after a waiting period of 10 years from the date of conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later. Eligibility requirements include:

No more than two criminal convictions in total
No more than one felony conviction
No pending criminal charges
Completion of all sentence requirements
No convictions for sex offenses, violent felonies, or class A felonies

The application process requires submission of a motion to the court where the conviction occurred. The District Attorney's Office has 45 days to file any objections, after which the court may schedule a hearing to determine whether sealing is appropriate.

Oneida County District Attorney's Office
235 Elizabeth Street
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: (315) 798-5766
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Marijuana Conviction Expungement

Pursuant to New York State's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (2021), certain marijuana-related convictions are automatically expunged. This applies to:

Possession of marijuana under Penal Law § 221.05 (former violation)
Criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree under former Penal Law § 221.10
Criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth degree under former Penal Law § 221.15
Criminal possession of marijuana in the third degree under former Penal Law § 221.20

Individuals with these convictions need not take any action, as expungement occurs automatically by operation of law.