>Ontario County Arrest Records Online

Ontario County, New York Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ontario County, New York?

Arrest records are public in Ontario County, New York, pursuant to the New York State 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, including arrest information. The law operates under the presumption that all government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Ontario County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures that balance transparency with privacy considerations. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2) to protect ongoing investigations, personal privacy, or other legally protected interests.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ontario County?

Ontario County provides digital access to certain arrest records through authorized online platforms. The Ontario County Records Office maintains various public safety records that may be accessed electronically. Additionally, the Ontario County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian of official court records, including those related to criminal proceedings that follow arrests.

The online availability of these records is subject to the following conditions:

Records must not be sealed pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50
Juvenile records are generally not accessible online due to confidentiality protections
Certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with applicable privacy laws
Records of pending investigations may have limited availability

The Incarcerated Individual Locator provides information about individuals currently held in county facilities, which may include those recently arrested and awaiting court proceedings.

How to Look Up Ontario County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Ontario County have multiple official channels through which to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining necessary security protocols:

Submit a FOIL request to the Ontario County Sheriff's Office Records Division 74 Ontario Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 Phone: (585) 396-4638 Official Website
Utilize the Online Record Search portal maintained by Ontario County, which provides access to certain public records including court cases that may contain arrest information
Visit the Ontario County Clerk's Office in person to review court records related to arrests 20 Ontario Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 Phone: (585) 396-4200 Official Website
Contact the Ontario County Corrections Division for information regarding currently incarcerated individuals 3045 County Complex Drive Canandaigua, NY 14424 Phone: (585) 396-4689

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of an Ontario County Arrest Record

Ontario County arrest records are standardized documents containing specific information as required by New York State law. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including relevant New York Penal Law citations
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking information, including fingerprint classification and booking photograph
Custody status and bail determination, if applicable
Case disposition information, if available
Court docket number for associated criminal proceedings
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest

Pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.40, fingerprints must be taken for all arrests involving felonies and specified misdemeanors. These fingerprint records become part of the arrest documentation and are transmitted to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for processing and record-keeping.

The Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state records retention schedules, which typically require preservation for a minimum of five years following the conclusion of all related proceedings.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ontario County

New York State law provides mechanisms for the sealing and expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The 2019 amendments to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50 expanded the eligibility criteria for record sealing in Ontario County and throughout New York State.

Individuals may qualify for expungement or sealing of arrest records under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal automatically qualify for sealing under CPL § 160.50
Arrests that did not lead to prosecution may be sealed pursuant to CPL § 160.50(3)(i)
Certain marijuana-related offenses were automatically expunged under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021
Individuals convicted of eligible offenses may apply for record sealing after a waiting period of 10 years from sentencing or release from incarceration under CPL § 160.59

The expungement process requires filing an application with the court that handled the original case. The Ontario County Court processes these applications at:

Ontario County Courthouse 27 North Main Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 Phone: (585) 396-4800

Upon successful expungement or sealing, the arrest record becomes unavailable to the general public, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for specific purposes as permitted by law.