Orange County, New York Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Orange County, New York?
Arrest records in Orange County, New York are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that government records shall be accessible to the public for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The New York State Committee on Open Government oversees the implementation of FOIL and provides advisory opinions regarding public access to government records.
According to data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Orange County processes thousands of arrests annually, all of which generate public records. In 2023, Orange County reported approximately 6,011 total adult arrests, including 1,883 felony arrests. These statistics underscore the volume of arrest records maintained by county agencies.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or in accordance with sealing provisions under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Orange County?
Orange County arrest records are partially available through online platforms, though comprehensive access requires utilizing multiple resources. The county maintains several digital databases that provide varying levels of arrest information to the public in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 87.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides basic information about individuals currently in custody. This resource is updated regularly but does not include historical arrest data beyond current incarcerations. For more comprehensive historical arrest information, members of the public may need to submit formal requests through established channels.
The New York State Police also maintains the NYSP Newsroom which publishes information about significant arrests, including those made in Orange County. These reports typically include basic information about the nature of charges and circumstances of arrests but do not constitute complete arrest records.
It should be noted that commercial third-party websites may aggregate and publish arrest information, but these sources may not always contain accurate or up-to-date information and should not be considered official records.
How to Look Up Orange County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Orange County. Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 89, the following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information:
- In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Orange County Clerk's Office to submit formal requests for arrest records. The office is located at:
Orange County Clerk's Office
255 Main Street, Suite 1
Goshen, New York 10924
Phone: (845) 291-2690
Orange County Clerk's Office
- Sheriff's Office Records Division: The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information. Requests may be submitted at:
Orange County Sheriff's Office
110 Wells Farm Road
Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 291-4033
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- New York State Police: For arrests made by state troopers in Orange County, records may be requested from:
New York State Police Troop F Headquarters
55 Crystal Run Road
Middletown, NY 10941
Phone: (845) 344-5300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Online Resources: The New York State Incarcerated Lookup provides information about individuals currently serving sentences in state facilities, which may include Orange County arrestees who have been convicted and sentenced.
When requesting records, members of the public must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information available. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records in accordance with FOIL § 87(1)(b)(iii).
Contents of an Orange County Arrest Record
Orange County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.10. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, age at time of arrest, gender, race, and residential address
- Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Criminal Charges: All offenses charged, including New York Penal Law citations and classification (violation, misdemeanor, or felony)
- Case Processing Information: Arrest number, booking date and time, fingerprint classification number, New York State Identification (NYSID) number
- Court Information: Court of jurisdiction, docket or case number, scheduled appearance dates
- Bail/Bond Information: Amount set, conditions imposed, payment status
- Disposition Information: For completed cases, the outcome of each charge (e.g., conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
Pursuant to New York Executive Law § 837-c, all fingerprints and photographs taken during the arrest process become part of the arrest record. These biometric identifiers are transmitted to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for inclusion in state criminal history repositories.
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records (for individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to different confidentiality provisions under New York Family Court Act § 381.3 and are generally not accessible to the public.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Orange County
New York State law provides several mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The primary statutory authorities governing this process include:
- Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50: Provides for sealing of records when criminal actions terminate in favor of the accused (e.g., acquittal, dismissal)
- Criminal Procedure Law § 160.55: Allows for sealing of records for certain misdemeanor convictions
- Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59: Permits sealing of up to two eligible criminal convictions after a 10-year waiting period
- Criminal Procedure Law § 440.10: Provides for vacating judgments under certain circumstances, which may lead to record sealing
The 2019 New York State marijuana decriminalization law (S.6579A/A.8420) and the subsequent 2021 Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act provide for automatic expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses.
Individuals seeking expungement or sealing of arrest records in Orange County must file a motion with the court that handled the original case. The process typically requires:
- Completion of appropriate application forms
- Submission of supporting documentation
- Payment of applicable filing fees
- Notification to the District Attorney's Office
- Judicial review and determination
The Orange County Legal Aid Society provides assistance with expungement applications for eligible individuals:
Orange County Legal Aid Society
14 Scotchtown Avenue
Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 291-2454
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Successful expungement results in the sealing of records from public view, though law enforcement agencies may retain limited access for official purposes pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50(1)(d).
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